Interview with an Expert: Scott Erdy
April 10, 2025
Exploring Quality and Purpose in Architecture with Scott Erdy, AIA
Architecture as a Cultural Mirror
According to Erdy, quality in architecture goes beyond materials and finishes—it’s about purpose.
“Quality is purpose-driven,” he shared.“It lies in how well the built environment performs and responds to needs. It reflects clarity in execution, enduring performance, and the ability to meaningfully enhance experience.”
This perspective highlights how quality is not just an end goal, but a guiding principle—one that drives every decision, from conceptual form to technical detailing.
Mazur Hall: Designing with Intent
One of Erdy’s recent projects, Mazur Hall at Temple University, illustrates this philosophy. Though modest in size, the project presented a host of challenges due to its complex site and multifaceted role within the campus.
“Mazur Hall needed to be the hierarchical center of the College of Liberal Arts,” Erdy explained. “With a simple form, we were able to connect multiple levels and circulation systems while creating a central collaboration space for the College.”
The result is a space that prioritizes connectivity, clarity, and purpose—qualities that define Erdy’s approach to design. Explore the full project details.
Lighting that Supports the Vision
Lighting plays a critical role in elevating architectural quality, and Erdy notes that BEGA luminaires have been a reliable partner throughout his career.
“We have specified BEGA fixtures throughout my career. Availability, quality, and reliability have always made BEGA a great choice.”
As always, the right lighting enhances not only visual appeal but also long-term performance—an essential factor in delivering enduring value in the built environment.
About Scott Erdy, AIA
Scott Erdy has been an architect for over 25 years, with work recognized by the American Institute of Architects for excellence in design—earning more than 20 local, regional, and national AIA awards. After serving as Design Director at The Hillier Group in Philadelphia, he co-founded Erdy McHenry Architecture with David McHenry. Their debut project, the Southern Poverty Law Center headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama, earned a Philadelphia AIA Gold Medal and graced the cover of Architecture Magazine in 2001.
As Design Principal, Erdy has led diverse projects across the U.S.—from farms to churches, transit centers to skyscrapers—always striving to balance formal and figurative expressions of architecture through a hands-on design process. In addition to practice, he has served as a juror for major architecture programs including those at Cornell, Yale, and the City College of New York, and currently teaches a graduate design studio at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Erdy McHenry Architecture.
BEGA’s Commitment to Quality
At BEGA, we believe that quality above all. From product design to performance in the field, our luminaires are built to support architectural integrity, user comfort, and long-term sustainability. We’re proud to collaborate with architects like Scott Erdy, whose work exemplifies the kind of purposeful design that brings lasting value to people and place.