Studio Philosophy

dap is a design-driven architecture practice and creative studio that believes architecture, at its most fundamental level, not only measures social, cultural and technological change but implements these ideas as a catalyst for future space making. Dedicated to innovative and conceptually rigorous design approaches, dap design understands that good ideas come from thoughtful engagement and inclusive collaboration.

With experience in adaptive re-use, residential, civic, small and large commercial projects, dap believes that good design is attainable regardless of scale, location and budgetary parameters.

dap design is formed by three central Floridians, dedicated to fostering connections between makers, fabricators and the local community, which we believe is critical to the success of each individual project.

Joel Setzer AIA

Joel is a design architect and founding partner of dap design. His professional experience includes projects in workplace, higher education, hospitality, retail, and healthcare. He is team-focused and understands that the best design solutions are not singular, but a distillation of various approaches learned from clients, builders, and engineers.

Joel believes that the purest form of architecture is a response to necessity, and that its beauty lies in the method of response; an iterative process produces the best conclusions. This process entails asking the right questions, understanding the importance of the conclusions drawn at each step, and having a commitment to execution throughout the entire process.     

In addition to his work at dap, Joel’s passion for learning lead him to teaching design as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Florida School of Architecture and Valencia College School of Architecture. Joel received his Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Central Florida in 2012 and a Master of Architecture from the University of Florida in 2014.  

Nicole Popovich

Nicole is a designer and founding partner at dap design. Nicole’s work experience includes higher education, corporate master planning, residential, small scale commercial, sports & entertainment. Her designs have been recognized at the local, state and national level by the American Institute of Architects. Her works have been featured in several international exhibitions and publications – including AIA Annual Emerging Professionals Exhibition, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and International Union of Architects World Congress Exhibition.

At its root, Nicole believes that design serves to elucidate the corporeal and cultural identity of a site through careful consideration of atmosphere, context, craftsmanship and materiality. Architecture must speculate and suggest an open-ended, poetic system; reflective of present culture and suggestive of its possible trajectory.

In addition to her work at dap design, Nicole has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Valencia College as well as a Graduate Teaching Associate at the University of Florida School of Architecture. Nicole has been an invited guest critic at the University of Central Florida School of Architecture and the University of Florida School of Architecture.

Popovich received her Bachelor of Design in 2011 as well as a Master’s degree of Architecture from the University of Florida in 2015.

Jameson Deighan

Jameson is a designer and founding partner of dap design. With a focus on design and detail, Jameson has experience that includes civic centers, higher education, federal healthcare master planning, and sustainability focused projects in the energy sector. Jameson believes that architecture is the most poetic measure of time and as a result, should be a carefully choreographed response to context, landscape, and building use.

The study and use of materials are paramount to Jameson’s design focus and exploration. He believes that true beauty in architecture is often rooted in the craft, composition, and execution of the medium in which you are working and that the most powerful moments in our built environment are a response to materiality.

In addition to his work at dap, Jameson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Valencia College and has been an invited guest critic at the University of Central Florida School of Architecture and the University of Florida School of Architecture.

Jameson received his Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Central Florida in 2012 and a Master of Architecture from the University of Florida in 2014.