RESEARCH
coming soon
What is OPISO?
op·is·o \op-is'-o\ adverb [Greek oπίσω] 1 of Place : behind, after; back, backwards 2 of Time : , after, in future, hereafter; either of a thing absolutely future, or of one which follows something else
The studio’s name is inspired by the ancient Greek word and its relevance for design in today’s world.
The Classicist Bernard Knox notes the etymology of opiso evolved to mean behind or back, but referring to the future instead of the past. The word suggests a perspective in which the past and the present are in front of us, and something that we can knowingly see, whereas the future remains unclear. In essence we proceed with the awareness of history, moving backwards into the future.
With the mission to integrate environmental and cultural contexts into new projects, OPISO Studio embraces the emotion of design, the tracings of history, and the art of building.
Founder
OPISO Studio was founded by Jon Buono in 2024. Following a career including senior positions at SOM and BBB, Jon was inspired to create a collaborative practice providing architectural design, preservation consulting, and cultural heritage research.
Before settling in New York City, Jon’s past included a childhood spent in a builder’s workshop, followed by an education in the humanities, and then a global experience in contemporary and historic design.
OPISO Studio‘s work represents over 20 years of experience in the planning, design, restoration, and construction of award-winning buildings and sites. Jon’s portfolio includes the completion of over 300,000 SF of restored landmark interiors, 650,000 SF of adaptive reuse & new construction, and exterior restorations of buildings ranging from the 1850s to the current day.
Notable past clients include the National Park Service, the United Nations Headquarters, Cartier Richemont, MIT, Princeton, NYU, University System of Georgia, and the Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance (DCAMM).
Jon is currently licensed to practice architecture in the state of New York, and his NCARB accreditation allows license reciprocity in most states. His portfolio of preservation and restoration work includes projects in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.