Bachelor of Architecture, 1986, New Jersey School of Architecture (NJIT), now the Hillier College of Architecture and Design

• Registered Architect: CT, NJ, NY, PA, VA  
• Professional Planner
• NJ  Certified Interior Designer
• NJ  Licensed Building Inspector (HHS)

• LEED AP BD+C 
• ICC Certifications: Commercial Mechanical Inspector, Commercial Building Inspector, Residential Mechanical Inspector, Residential Building Inspector, Building Plans Examiner

• AIA Member since 1984 AIA New Jersey Chapter
• Building Codes & Standards Committee Chair (2013 - Present) 
• AIA Central New Jersey Section, Past President (1998) 
• Member ICC Member ASID

• South Plainfield Green Team, Chair 
• South Plainfield Business Advisory Group, Past Chair 
• South Plainfield Business Association, Past President 
• Knights of Columbus, Active Member 
• NJ School of Architecture Dean's Executive Council, Founding Member

Robert M. Longo, AIA, LEED AP serves as Principal of Cornerstone Architectural Group, a firm he founded early in his career after earning his architecture license at age 26. Rather than being driven by specific project types, Bob is most engaged by clients and stakeholder groups who are thoughtful, collaborative, and genuinely invested in outcomes. He finds particular satisfaction in projects where architecture elevates a company's brand, culture, and identity; healthcare environments designed to support healing and well-being; and municipal or civic projects that serve communities at large. Across all sectors, Bob is particularly engaged in projects that allow for an integrated approach, where the site, building, and user experience can be considered together from the outset.  

Bob adds the most value early in the process, where business goals, planning, code compliance, and constructability come together. He helps clients bring clarity and focus to what they're trying to achieve operationally and financially, then translates those goals into practical, code-compliant, and buildable design solutions. He enjoys treating the design process as a puzzle to be solved—whether it's space planning, site planning, or overall building organization—and finds that the more complex the program, site, or regulatory environment, the more rewarding it is to arrive at a solution that feels both logical and purposeful.  

Among notable projects, Bob points to several that marked significant moments in both his career and the firm's trajectory. His very first project was a modest garage addition for the Clara Barton Rescue Squad, designed to house an ambulance that no longer fit within the existing building. While simple in scope, it carries lasting meaning as the beginning of his professional career. The Lafayette Urban Renewal Corporation Office Building in Newark's Ironbound section was his first ground-up project—a five-story office building that held personal significance through family ties to the neighborhood and reinforced the idea that architecture can contribute to community revitalization and long-term stability. Robertet Flavors in Piscataway was a turning point that helped establish Cornerstone's reputation in the industrial and food production sector, particularly in flavors and fragrances, leading to a long-standing client relationship that helped define the firm's trajectory.  

With more than four decades in the industry and more than 30 years leading Cornerstone, Bob brings a foundation built on both formal education and hands-on experience in the trades. Early in his career, he spent time working directly alongside local tradespeople, including carpenters, roofers, and plumbers. That hands-on exposure, combined with growing up with a father who was a career firefighter, shaped Bob’s approach to architecture. It instilled a strong emphasis on life safety, building performance, and practical solutions grounded in real-world conditions. This foundation continues to inform his work at every level, from early planning through construction administration.  

Bob has been teaching at Brookdale Community College since 1999 as an adjunct professor of Architecture and Interior Design, primarily teaching second-year design studio, Building Codes, and Commercial Construction. His teaching focuses on helping students determine whether a career in architecture is the right path and what type of accredited program may be the best fit for their goals.  

Outside the office, Bob is an avid hiker who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally. He enjoys travel with a particular appreciation for Renaissance art and architecture, plays golf, and maintains a long-standing fascination with lighthouses; having visited well over a hundred of them. Photography serves as an important creative outlet. Most importantly, he values time with his family, including his two adult children and three young grandchildren.