As the owner of Berarducci Design and Build, Philip did not begin his career with sawdust on his hands. He studied architecture at the University of Pittsburgh before a formative internship with Japanese woodworker Tadao Arimoto shifted his path. “I realized I was far more drawn to the physical process of making something than sitting behind a computer,” he shares.
That experience left a lasting imprint. Under Arimoto’s guidance, lessons came in unexpected ways. “It felt a little like The Karate Kid,” Philip says. Tasks that did not seem related at first would click later. They were building precision, patience, and understanding.
Today, that philosophy is woven into every piece he creates. Philip works with a deep respect for wood and its history, often using reclaimed materials sourced throughout Colorado. “Being able to take a tree that might otherwise end up in a landfill and turn it into something functional and beautiful is incredibly rewarding,” he says. In some cases, he has been there from the beginning, present when a tree comes down, milling it locally, and eventually transforming it into furniture.
His workshop has grown just as organically as his craft. What began as a single garage has expanded unit by unit into an intentionally intimate space. It can feel a little cramped at times, but that keeps him hands on and focused on craftsmanship.
That dedication shows in projects both large and small, from custom cabinetry in Steamboat Springs to one of a kind pieces crafted from salvaged urban timber. A coffee table made from a 100 year old Siberian elm and a bench from a fallen walnut limb are just a few examples of how material and story come together in his work.
At the heart of it all is a simple goal: “to improve on what I did the day before.” And for Philip, the most meaningful moment comes at the end. “Seeing a client’s reaction and knowing they will live with that piece for years, that is what it is all about.”
