“Bringing together aesthetics, function, and value”

When he arrived at PSW, TJ Varghese took ownership of a division that was lacking direction and focus. Over the past year and a half, he has taken a division of one, using outdated technology, and grown it to what it is now. Today, the design division has three full-time employees and a network of industry leaders including architects, designers, and specialists.

Varghese has always had a passion for designing. He started his career in audio, creating spaces specifically designed for musical performance and recording. And, while he excelled at making rooms sound good, he also wanted to make them look as good as they sounded. That’s the curiosity that led him into interior design and architecture.

In February of 2021, Varghese began his journey at PSW. The first thing on his agenda was to change the way PSW approaches design. “We live in a three-dimensional world”, Varghese stated. “Typical construction companies measure with tape and design in two dimensions. PSW utilizes point cloud technology to scan in three dimension. We then transfer the data into the latest BIM (building information models) software to virtually construct the entire project in 3D from start to finish.”

For Varghese, working with point cloud data is the future. “Point cloud technology uses laser scanners to take measurements of large or complex areas. It literally collects millions of data points and stitches them together to create a 3D model that is accurate down to the millimeter.”

Measurements collected by PSW are vital to the overall design of the project. “Form follows function” states Varghese, “The form, or the final product, is perceived as ‘art’, but the reason for why and where everything is placed is based on the data.”

When a client first comes to PSW they have an idea of their vision in their head, and it is Varghese and his team’s job to turn it into a functional design. “For me, it's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together; bringing together aesthetics, function, and value to create the perfect layout.” As much as he would like them to, those puzzle pieces can’t just go anywhere. “It's all about location, location, location. Every design comes with certain constraints from the topography, building codes, township and HOA restrictions, as well as a client’s aesthetic preferences.”

In his time at PSW, Varghese has placed a strong focus on professional growth. He was recently awarded a builder certification from Watershape University to build shotcrete pools. “As a designer, it is crucial for me to understand the intricacies of how to build these features, not just design them. I need to understand the challenges our crews will face out in the field so I can provide them with the best and most detailed information possible.”

Working at PSW has allowed Varghese to get his creative juices flowing. “My favorite project so far is one in Mt. Lebanon. It has a free form pool with a swim up bar and water slide. I particularly love this one because the terrain we are working with has a heavy slope with many elevation changes that need to be incorporated. Originally, this looked like an impossible challenge, but it has simply provided for a completely unique and innovative design that incorporates natural shapes and the intricate terrain.”

Varghese has also changed the way PSW clients are able to view their vision before a contract is even signed through an animated overview of the project during the presentation. “I had a client who has worked in the construction industry for a long time tell me that, in all his years, it was the best presentation he had ever seen. That comment was more rewarding than any award I have received.”

In his spare time, Varghese enjoys spending time building and repairing electronics in his garage, as well as playing music. He also enjoys golfing when the Pittsburgh weather allows. Free time is at a premium these days as Varghese, and his wife Brooke, just had a little baby girl. “In reality, most of my time outside of work is spent playing with, and taking care of, my newborn daughter, and I couldn’t be happier about that.”