Dattner Architects is a women-owned design firm. This is a milestone for our practice, which was founded 60 years ago. Our long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion has organically fostered women to thrive and achieve at the highest level of leadership. Today the firm is led by 10 partners, half of whom are women; and the women are the majority owners. We are a firm that continues to evolve and advance.
Our core mission is unwavering, and it unites our work and our practice. We proudly take on the planning and design of the region’s most essential projects, creating architecture that enriches the urban experience, transforms environments, and strengthens communities.
Today Dattner Architects is over 100 people, 59% of whom are women, 41% BIPOC, and 17% LGBTQ+ all working together from one office in New York City. A steadfast dedication to our mission, a strong and varied portfolio of that spans sectors, and a thoughtful leadership transition plan allows our 60-year-old practice to continue to remain vital and vibrant—reflecting the diversity and relevancy of our practice.
"Driven to work at the urban scale, I initially sought out Dattner Architects because the firm had designed many of the civic spaces that were formative in my life," notes Gia Maneiro, Principal and Corporate President. "This passion fueled my career here—from junior designer to Principal—supported by the confidence, camaraderie and mentorship that defines the culture of the office. Raising my daughter solidified my commitment to leadership in the future of sustainable public architecture, and I could not be more proud to share in a majority women owned partnership that embodies these values."
Dattner Architects is certified as a WBE with New York City, New York State, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New York City School Construction Authority, and the City of Philadelphia.
Dattner Architects is proud to recognize the exceptional contributions of six distinguished professionals with promotions to new levels of leadership.
In recognition of their outstanding leadership and deep-seated passion for enriching urban environments with projects that respond to the needs of our time, Harriet Andronikides has been promoted to Associate. Heather McKinstry and Rem Bruhn are now Senior Associates. Patrick McAffrey, Shefali Sanghvi and Philippe Martelly have been elevated to Associate Principal. These advancements reflect the dedication, commitment to sustainable and innovative civic architecture, and the high level of professionalism these architects bring to our firm.
“Each of these professionals has excelled in remarkable and individual ways. They all successfully lead complex projects with ease and joy, while providing opportunities for others to shine. We are pleased to be able to recognize their achievements and their commitment with these promotions, and we are excited about their evolved role in the leadership of our firm.”—Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal.
Harriet Andronikides, AIA, Associate has worked on a variety of project types, including parks, multi-family residential, and performing arts venues. She strives for clear and meaningful communication through all phases of a project, and particularly enjoys the Construction Administration phase where she can see the building come to life. As a New Yorker, Harriet has an endless fascination for the built environment and the inner workings of the city.
“When I joined Dattner Architects, I saw that I had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on my home city and community. I knew that this firm was a special place where I could achieve that.”—Harriet
Heather McKinstry, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, Studio Director, Senior Associate believes that architecture’s most important role is to create inclusive, healthy, and sustainable environments for our communities, helping to build a more equitable world. After completing her thesis on disaster relief housing, her commitment to environmentalism and community focused urbanism led her to work creating spaces for all New Yorkers while minimizing the environmental impact of new buildings.
“I'm so proud of how this office has evolved since I started. I was hired to work on the design of 425 Grand Concourse, our first Passive House project, and now we have become passive house experts with many of our housing projects in design aiming for that standard. I'm also thrilled by the progress the office has made to become a women owned business.”—Heather
Rem Bruhn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate joined Dattner Architects in 2015, eager to work in a mission-driven firm, designing projects positively influence people’s daily lives. He enjoys working with diverse stakeholder groups, and he takes pride in developing a concept that is carefully considered, from the macroscopic down to the smallest details. With each project he seeks to contribute to the sustainable evolution of our cities.
“When I joined Dattner Architects, I was drawn in by the firm’s mission, and the work we do to make New York City a better place to live for everyone, from affordable housing, to infrastructure, to schools and libraries, and so much more—and I was proud to go home and tell people where I worked and the type of work we did. Nine years later, this is as true as ever: as we grow and evolve, I’m still very proud of our work, and grateful for the brilliant and dedicated people that I work with.”—Rem
Patrick McAffrey, AIA, Studio Director, Associate Principal joined the firm as an emerging architect today leads our largest studio. He’s continued to grow with each challenge and excels at every opportunity. Formally trained in both architecture and product design, Patrick’s passion for intelligent urbanism has led him to focus his work on infrastructure and transportation projects, which he believes have profound impact on the building fabric and urban lifestyles they support.
“I am proud of the work we do as a firm, continuing to contribute to the built fabric of New York in a meaningful and civic way. Specifically, in our transportation and infrastructure studio, I have always found it fulfilling to be able to observe how appreciated and used our work is in the public realm. Looking back on my time here, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to work with so many talented individuals and the thoughtful mentorship provided by this firm. I am humbled and excited to be a part of this leadership group as we enter a new chapter as a women-owned business.”—Patrick
Shefali Sanghvi, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Amb., ENV SP, Director of Sustainability, Associate Principal has over 15 years of experience working in sustainable projects, with an emphasis on resiliency, occupant health and comfort, and energy efficiency. An expert on urban Passive House projects, she is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable. As the firm’s Director of Sustainability, Shefali serves as a thought leader across Dattner Architects’ studios, and beyond, championing sustainability as integral to architecture. She is a person who identifies opportunities to do things better—and puts in the work to develop a system to make it happen. Like each of the folks being promoted, Shefali is always looking out for the firm.
“Dattner Architects’ Sustainable Practice Group gave me a platform to research issues that I felt really passionate about and talk about them with people who felt the same drive to change the way we design our communities. The reality is that every time we do what we do, we have one chance to do it right, to lessen its impact on the planet. Every time we build a project, it is important that we build the most sustainable version of our project that we can. Dattner Architects provides the opportunity for us to do that, together.”—Shefali
With in-depth expertise managing large, multifaceted projects, Philippe Martelly, AIA, CPHC, Studio Director, Associate Principal is deeply invested in understanding the human experience and social impact of healthy, sustainable, and well-conceived affordable housing. Philippe has not only excelled as a project manager, studio director, mentor and coach but also used his skills for business development—cultivating new and existing clients to bring in new projects. He represents the firm on the board of the prestigious CHPC (Citizens Housing & Planning Council).
“I’ve always believed that Civic Architecture is about giving back, and practicing Architecture in service to society is a beautiful endeavor. It is a complex and difficult job, and we at Dattner Architects are among the privileged few in this society who can actually do it so well. The populations that our projects continue to serve are counting on all of us to get it right. They deserve our very best. They deserve that bright spark of ours that we let shine here each and every day. And our tremendous collective expertise and profound social consciousness places us in a position to give them our best. Our Firm is a very special place, and I am very proud of what we’re doing here. We operate successfully in one of the greatest Cities in the World, and the civic impact of our work extends beyond its borders, across generations, and beyond our own personal timelines.”—Philippe
We are honored to announce that The Architect’s Newspaper has selected Dattner Architects for the 2024 Best of Practice Award (XL Firm – Northeast). AN's Best of Practice program seeks to define an expansive meaning of excellence that not only considers the firm’s individual projects, values and culture but also inclusivity, social impact, sustainability, regional relevance, and technological innovation. This recognition highlights our commitment to addressing the complex challenges faced by the architecture industry today and acknowledges the collective efforts of our team.
As a mission-driven, women-owned design firm, we design impactful architecture that responds to the issues of our time. We have proudly taken on the planning and design of the region’s most essential projects, creating architecture that enriches the urban experience, transforms environments, and strengthens communities. Our approach involves integrating sustainable practices and prioritizing projects that serve the broader community, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and social responsibility.
Dattner Architects has long fostered equity and inclusion, and we have championed employee professional growth and recognition. Our commitment to diversity includes a team of over 100 people, 59% women, 41% BIPOC, and 17% LGBTQ+.
Our innovative buildings have enriched NYC's urban fabric, positively impacting countless New Yorkers. We are humbled to see the warmth, appreciation, and life brought to our projects by those who inhabit, recreate, learn, and work in these buildings.
[caption id="attachment_21452" align="alignleft" width="2000"] Architectural League First Friday at Dattner Architects 2024[/caption]
View the full list of winners:
https://www.archpaper.com/2024/06/announcing-the-winners-of-ans-2024-best-of-practice-awards/
Dattner Architects is a proud recipient of two Marketing Communications Awards in the Website and Video categories at SMPS NY’s 2021 Liberty Awards.
WWW.DATTNER.COM
Dattner Architects launched its new website in July 2020, designed by For Office Use Only (FOUO). With a growing staff of design professionals along with an increasingly diverse regional and typological project portfolio, Dattner engaged FOUO to help communicate Dattner's ethos and architectural impact on the NYC built environment. The creation of a new website reflects current and future organizational needs of the firm, while recognizing the impact of our civic projects through over 50 years of architectural practice.
"Our new website is truly a reflection of Dattner's current design practice, our legacy of civic work, and our ethos of creating impactful community-focused spaces in NYC and beyond. We are incredibly thankful to our collaborators, For Office Use Only, for helping to create a site that allows us to add depth to the stories of our people, projects, and practice as well as our aspirations for providing creative architectural solutions that help to enhance the urban built environment." — Martin Tolentino, Marketing Director
Marine Transfer Station Video
Working with the Department of Sanitation, Dattner Architects developed three virtual tours for the Open House New York Virtual Events amidst social distancing guidelines. These tours told a holistic story of the building process, state-of-the-art mechanical systems that allow such a large sanitation facility to be located in a dense residential neighborhood, and the stories of the staff that operate the building systems on a day to day. The SMPS Liberty Award winning video highlights NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station — the transfer point for household waste from Manhattan residents. The video provides vignettes of the waste processing stream — highlighting how waste is loaded into containers and placed on barges to be offloaded onto a rail service for a facility that processes an average of 550 tons per day.
“The new East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station is the result of tackling the complex questions of program, scale, community engagement, and equity. This entertaining and informative video captures DSNY's innovative process of containerizing Manhattan's trash, as well as the experience of local residents living and recreating in and around the riverfront architecture. We are proud to work with the friendly and enthusiastic people at DSNY to provide NYC with this facility befitting of their essential services.” — Stephen Hoang, Project Architect
Dattner Architects is a proud recipient of two Marketing Communications Awards in the Website and Video categories at SMPS NY’s 2021 Liberty Awards.
WWW.DATTNER.COM
Dattner Architects launched its new website in July 2020, designed by For Office Use Only (FOUO). With a growing staff of design professionals along with an increasingly diverse regional and typological project portfolio, Dattner engaged FOUO to help communicate Dattner's ethos and architectural impact on the NYC built environment. The creation of a new website reflects current and future organizational needs of the firm, while recognizing the impact of our civic projects through over 50 years of architectural practice.
"Our new website is truly a reflection of Dattner's current design practice, our legacy of civic work, and our ethos of creating impactful community-focused spaces in NYC and beyond. We are incredibly thankful to our collaborators, For Office Use Only, for helping to create a site that allows us to add depth to the stories of our people, projects, and practice as well as our aspirations for providing creative architectural solutions that help to enhance the urban built environment." — Martin Tolentino, Marketing Director
Marine Transfer Station Video
Working with the Department of Sanitation, Dattner Architects developed three virtual tours for the Open House New York Virtual Events amidst social distancing guidelines. These tours told a holistic story of the building process, state-of-the-art mechanical systems that allow such a large sanitation facility to be located in a dense residential neighborhood, and the stories of the staff that operate the building systems on a day to day. The SMPS Liberty Award winning video highlights NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station — the transfer point for household waste from Manhattan residents. The video provides vignettes of the waste processing stream — highlighting how waste is loaded into containers and placed on barges to be offloaded onto a rail service for a facility that processes an average of 550 tons per day.
“The new East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station is the result of tackling the complex questions of program, scale, community engagement, and equity. This entertaining and informative video captures DSNY's innovative process of containerizing Manhattan's trash, as well as the experience of local residents living and recreating in and around the riverfront architecture. We are proud to work with the friendly and enthusiastic people at DSNY to provide NYC with this facility befitting of their essential services.” — Stephen Hoang, Project Architect
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the recipient of a 2021 AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
The result of a public-private partnership, the Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the first new public school constructed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in decades. Located in the base of a 43-story tower in the mixed-use Riverside Center development, this Pre-K through 8th grade facility serves 692 students with tailored facilities to support a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educational program.
"21st century cities will be denser but greener, more crowded, but also more livable. Urban school design will be part of that transformation. Vertically organized, sharing increasingly valuable sites with non-school uses and populations, using roof tops for teaching and recreation rather than equipment. They will be part of a new integrated urban fabric rather than freestanding landmarks. The Riverside School is a look at the possibilities.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA is also the recipient of the 2021 AIA New York State Henry Hobson Richardson Award, which recognizes New York State-licensed AIA members practicing in the private sector who have made a significant contribution to the quality of New York State public architecture.
An advocate for socially conscious and sustainable architecture, Bill’s record of distinguished public projects and professional leadership exemplifies a commitment to design excellence and responsiveness to communities. From Via Verde, a model for affordable, sustainable urban living, to the Bronx Library Center, a leader in energy-efficient, sustainable library design, his body of work is versatile, spanning different typologies and complexities — leaving a lasting impact on the public realm.
“I am thrilled to receive the Henry Hobson Richardson Award from the AIA New York State. This award, in the name of one of America’s greatest architects, highlights the importance of public architecture. It is truly an honor to be its recipient. I’d like to thank my partners and colleagues at Dattner Architects and colleagues throughout the profession for their support of my career and their commitment to architecture in the public interest.” — Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the recipient of a 2021 AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
The result of a public-private partnership, the Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the first new public school constructed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in decades. Located in the base of a 43-story tower in the mixed-use Riverside Center development, this Pre-K through 8th grade facility serves 692 students with tailored facilities to support a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educational program.
"21st century cities will be denser but greener, more crowded, but also more livable. Urban school design will be part of that transformation. Vertically organized, sharing increasingly valuable sites with non-school uses and populations, using roof tops for teaching and recreation rather than equipment. They will be part of a new integrated urban fabric rather than freestanding landmarks. The Riverside School is a look at the possibilities.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA is also the recipient of the 2021 AIA New York State Henry Hobson Richardson Award, which recognizes New York State-licensed AIA members practicing in the private sector who have made a significant contribution to the quality of New York State public architecture.
An advocate for socially conscious and sustainable architecture, Bill’s record of distinguished public projects and professional leadership exemplifies a commitment to design excellence and responsiveness to communities. From Via Verde, a model for affordable, sustainable urban living, to the Bronx Library Center, a leader in energy-efficient, sustainable library design, his body of work is versatile, spanning different typologies and complexities — leaving a lasting impact on the public realm.
“I am thrilled to receive the Henry Hobson Richardson Award from the AIA New York State. This award, in the name of one of America’s greatest architects, highlights the importance of public architecture. It is truly an honor to be its recipient. I’d like to thank my partners and colleagues at Dattner Architects and colleagues throughout the profession for their support of my career and their commitment to architecture in the public interest.” — Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA
“A commonality unites Ruth Ro’s undertakings as associate principal at Dattner Architects: a consistent push for increased diversity and inclusion.” — Crain’s New York Business
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Associate Principal Ruth Ro has been named to the 2021 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives list by Crain’s New York Business. This list celebrates 58 LGBTQ professionals in New York City who are making a major impact through their “career accomplishments, their mentorship of others, and their involvement in community and industry organizations.”
"One of the most important moves we can make as members of an underrepresented or marginalized group is to be visible. In a leadership role, I have a responsibility to represent, to empower, and to fight for change with every opportunity I get." — Ruth Ro
Over the years, Ruth has spearheaded a number of LGBTQ initiatives at Dattner Architects and has participated in several panels discussing the importance in facilitating an inclusive and understanding workplace in the AEC industry. In 2020, Ruth founded the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion group at Dattner Architects — tackling intersectional issues that affect minority employees in the workplace. Her leadership and advocacy have led her to be an active voice in the AIA New York Diversity and Inclusion committee. In addition, Ruth was named a Board Member at Build Out Alliance, a leading non-profit whose mission is to promote and advocate for inclusion of LGBTQ community within the building, design, and construction industries.
"During this difficult year that has exposed the persistent racial inequities that affect our industry and society at large, Ruth has exemplified fearless leadership and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion within our practice, industry, and beyond. It has been inspiring to work with Ruth in tackling issues that not only affect the LGBTQ+ community, but also the diverse intersectional issues we face in our industry and in our day to day lives." — Martin Tolentino, Dattner Architects’ Marketing Director
“As the project manager for challenging and complex buildings, Ruth gives her team members the room to expand their professional experiences and capabilities. She provides a supportive, mentorship-focused structure to facilitate individual, as well as team success. All project team members are given ownership over components of a project’s design and are empowered to present them to clients and other project stakeholders. This confident leadership style enables junior team members to become more skilled design advocates and public presenters. Her approach to her work and team leadership includes an enthusiasm that inspires colleagues and clients. She is a true leader in every sense of the word.” — John Woelfling, Dattner Architects’ Principal
Congratulations to all those being honored this year by Crain's. See the full list here.
“A commonality unites Ruth Ro’s undertakings as associate principal at Dattner Architects: a consistent push for increased diversity and inclusion.” — Crain’s New York Business
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Associate Principal Ruth Ro has been named to the 2021 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives list by Crain’s New York Business. This list celebrates 58 LGBTQ professionals in New York City who are making a major impact through their “career accomplishments, their mentorship of others, and their involvement in community and industry organizations.”
"One of the most important moves we can make as members of an underrepresented or marginalized group is to be visible. In a leadership role, I have a responsibility to represent, to empower, and to fight for change with every opportunity I get." — Ruth Ro
Over the years, Ruth has spearheaded a number of LGBTQ initiatives at Dattner Architects and has participated in several panels discussing the importance in facilitating an inclusive and understanding workplace in the AEC industry. In 2020, Ruth founded the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion group at Dattner Architects — tackling intersectional issues that affect minority employees in the workplace. Her leadership and advocacy have led her to be an active voice in the AIA New York Diversity and Inclusion committee. In addition, Ruth was named a Board Member at Build Out Alliance, a leading non-profit whose mission is to promote and advocate for inclusion of LGBTQ community within the building, design, and construction industries.
"During this difficult year that has exposed the persistent racial inequities that affect our industry and society at large, Ruth has exemplified fearless leadership and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion within our practice, industry, and beyond. It has been inspiring to work with Ruth in tackling issues that not only affect the LGBTQ+ community, but also the diverse intersectional issues we face in our industry and in our day to day lives." — Martin Tolentino, Dattner Architects’ Marketing Director
“As the project manager for challenging and complex buildings, Ruth gives her team members the room to expand their professional experiences and capabilities. She provides a supportive, mentorship-focused structure to facilitate individual, as well as team success. All project team members are given ownership over components of a project’s design and are empowered to present them to clients and other project stakeholders. This confident leadership style enables junior team members to become more skilled design advocates and public presenters. Her approach to her work and team leadership includes an enthusiasm that inspires colleagues and clients. She is a true leader in every sense of the word.” — John Woelfling, Dattner Architects’ Principal
Congratulations to all those being honored this year by Crain's. See the full list here.
On May 25, Dattner Architects held a live virtual Datt-A-Thon fundraising event in support of Heart of Dinner, a nonprofit organization that works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American elderly in New York City. The emceed event featured a live “exquisite building” drawing collaboration (a la exquisite corpse), a silent auction, poetry readings, and more.
In addition to the virtual Datt-A-Thon event, we also ran a marathon over the Memorial Day weekend. Led by Project Architects Brandon Wang and Wei Wang, the route went through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan—stopping at several Dattner-designed buildings along the way. Brandon and Wei were joined on the run by Principal John Woelfling and Project Architect Pascale Baladi. Orange sweat bands, wrist bands, compression socks, and tutus were worn in recognition of major fundraising milestones hit during the Datt-A-Thon event.
All proceeds from the silent auction and GoFundMe donations went directly to Heart of Dinner. Proceeds from the event helped to raise $4,391—more than doubling our original goal of $2,000.
Many thanks to everyone who supported and donated to our effort!
On May 25, Dattner Architects held a live virtual Datt-A-Thon fundraising event in support of Heart of Dinner, a nonprofit organization that works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American elderly in New York City. The emceed event featured a live “exquisite building” drawing collaboration (a la exquisite corpse), a silent auction, poetry readings, and more.
In addition to the virtual Datt-A-Thon event, we also ran a marathon over the Memorial Day weekend. Led by Project Architects Brandon Wang and Wei Wang, the route went through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan—stopping at several Dattner-designed buildings along the way. Brandon and Wei were joined on the run by Principal John Woelfling and Project Architect Pascale Baladi. Orange sweat bands, wrist bands, compression socks, and tutus were worn in recognition of major fundraising milestones hit during the Datt-A-Thon event.
All proceeds from the silent auction and GoFundMe donations went directly to Heart of Dinner. Proceeds from the event helped to raise $4,391—more than doubling our original goal of $2,000.
Many thanks to everyone who supported and donated to our effort!
Set to open in 2022, Vital Brookdale topped out on May 3rd. This new mixed-use residential development will create 160 affordable housing units and approximately 25,000 square feet of health-focused community space in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The project is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. Offering a holistic approach, the program focuses on eight integrated areas of improvement: open space and recreation; healthy food; education; economic empowerment; community-based violence prevention; community-based health care; affordable housing; and resiliency.
“Working on Vital Brookdale from design and into the first year of construction has been rewarding—just as one would expect an affordable passive house project would be. The developer and contractor’s commitment to building this project to meet PHIUS 2015+ certification standards has been critical to getting us to this point, especially through this pandemic. Being able to see one of the last pieces of plank being dropped into place was a momentous way to mark this milestone.” — Dattner Architects’ Associate Shefali Sanghvi
Comprised of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, 133 of the apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30- 60% of area median income (AMI) and 26 households earning 80% AMI. Alongside deeply affordable units, Vital Brookdale provides resources that promote health and wellness, job training, outdoor green space, and opportunities for recreation, that will support residents and the larger Brownsville community.
Tenants will have access to a second-floor terrace, and front and rear-courtyards, which will include landscaping, a dog run, play area as well as active and passive recreation and seating areas. Additional amenities will include complimentary building-wide wireless-internet access, a multipurpose community room, game room, library/resident co-working space, fitness room, laundry room, cold-storage locker and package rooms, and a bike storage room.
The development will pursue Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) + 2015 certification, an North American standard of building for maximized energy efficiency, for the residential component. The project will have a 100kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, high performance mechanical systems, insulation and windows, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and several other energy efficient measures to ensure the comfort and affordability for residents as well as sustainability of the building.
“The Vital Brookdale project is the result of an incredible collaborative effort led by a dedicated client that includes multiple design specialists and is a real partnership with the contractor. This type of approach is necessary to achieve a successful passive house project that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 60%. We are proud to be part of the team that is delivering 160 apartments that will be affordable, welcoming, healthy, and tread lightly on the planet.” — Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling
The Vital Brookdale project team comprises MDG Design + Construction, Smith & Henzy Advisory Group, The New York Foundling, Monadnock Construction, Dattner Architects, Skyline Engineering, DeNardis Engineering, Starr Whitehouse, and Bright Power.
Set to open in 2022, Vital Brookdale topped out on May 3rd. This new mixed-use residential development will create 160 affordable housing units and approximately 25,000 square feet of health-focused community space in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The project is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. Offering a holistic approach, the program focuses on eight integrated areas of improvement: open space and recreation; healthy food; education; economic empowerment; community-based violence prevention; community-based health care; affordable housing; and resiliency.
“Working on Vital Brookdale from design and into the first year of construction has been rewarding—just as one would expect an affordable passive house project would be. The developer and contractor’s commitment to building this project to meet PHIUS 2015+ certification standards has been critical to getting us to this point, especially through this pandemic. Being able to see one of the last pieces of plank being dropped into place was a momentous way to mark this milestone.” — Dattner Architects’ Associate Shefali Sanghvi
Comprised of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, 133 of the apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30- 60% of area median income (AMI) and 26 households earning 80% AMI. Alongside deeply affordable units, Vital Brookdale provides resources that promote health and wellness, job training, outdoor green space, and opportunities for recreation, that will support residents and the larger Brownsville community.
Tenants will have access to a second-floor terrace, and front and rear-courtyards, which will include landscaping, a dog run, play area as well as active and passive recreation and seating areas. Additional amenities will include complimentary building-wide wireless-internet access, a multipurpose community room, game room, library/resident co-working space, fitness room, laundry room, cold-storage locker and package rooms, and a bike storage room.
The development will pursue Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) + 2015 certification, an North American standard of building for maximized energy efficiency, for the residential component. The project will have a 100kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, high performance mechanical systems, insulation and windows, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and several other energy efficient measures to ensure the comfort and affordability for residents as well as sustainability of the building.
“The Vital Brookdale project is the result of an incredible collaborative effort led by a dedicated client that includes multiple design specialists and is a real partnership with the contractor. This type of approach is necessary to achieve a successful passive house project that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 60%. We are proud to be part of the team that is delivering 160 apartments that will be affordable, welcoming, healthy, and tread lightly on the planet.” — Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling
The Vital Brookdale project team comprises MDG Design + Construction, Smith & Henzy Advisory Group, The New York Foundling, Monadnock Construction, Dattner Architects, Skyline Engineering, DeNardis Engineering, Starr Whitehouse, and Bright Power.
Community and professional engagement is a critical component of daily life at Dattner Architects. Our collaborative team approach nurtures learning and professional growth through exposure not only to new project opportunities, but also to professional industry organizations and local community groups. We believe that active engagement in professional organizations empowers our staff to have agency over decisions that affect both their personal and professional lives, and leads to a more robust, well-rounded, and meaningful career.
Here are some highlights from the past quarter:
Keith Engel, Senior Associate & Studio Director
Keith Engel was appointed by the Queens Borough President to a Board member position on Queens Community Board 6, which encompasses the Forest Hills and Rego Park neighborhoods of Queens. His term began on April 1st and will run for two years. The Community Board is the official municipal body whose primary mission is to advise elected officials and government agencies on matters affecting the social welfare of their district, which include broad matters such as land use, housing, education, and transportation.
“As someone who has dedicated my career to practicing socially responsible design, I’ve worked extensively with various non-profits to develop affordable, supportive, and homeless housing for those New Yorkers who need it the most. Such endeavors often involve presentations to Community Board’s across the five boroughs, and it was during these conversations with Community Boards that I became concerned that – as an Architect – my ability to directly affect positive change within a community is limited. I am excited to begin my term as a Community Board member so I can be an active participant in the conversation, and to offer my professional expertise to the dialogue about the important issues affecting the community—of affordable housing, of homelessness, of climate change, and of social justice.”
— Keith Engel
Aimee Hultquist, Project Architect
Aimee Hultquist is participating in the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)’s Emerging Leaders Program, which is a selective professional development opportunity for women 5-10 years out of school. In small group format, participants engage with significant senior women in architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, law, and financial services to advance their own career goals.
“The fellowship theme this year is Perseverance, Politics, and Power – it's a great opportunity to interface with significant senior women in architecture about these topics and to share our experiences as young women building our careers in the A/E industry. The group is a mix of architects and engineers bringing their perspectives to discussions, which is different and exciting—I'm looking forward to being a part of it!”
— Aimee Hultquist
Ruth Ro, Associate Principal
Ruth Ro was selected as a Build Out Alliance board member. Build Out Alliance’s mission is to promote and advocate for the LGBTQ community within the building design and construction industry—where members can serve openly and with pride across all roles and sectors of the industry.
“When I am out and visible in the workplace, I’m able to open minds, break down preconceptions, and create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. I have benefitted from brave trailblazers ahead of me and I have a responsibility to leave a wider path behind me. Through Build Out, we can continue to find strength in numbers, be more visible, and create a more inclusive industry.”
— Ruth Ro
Brandon Wang, Project Architect
Brandon Wang is an Architectural League mentor. The Architectural League's mentorship program fosters student-mentor relationships between practicing architects and designers in New York and architecture students from City Tech, CCNY, and Kean University. The program also aims to increase awareness of professional opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and give mentoring architects a chance to share expertise and realistic career expectations. Through virtual check-ins, the relationships become a space for guidance and learning for students entering the practice.
“Though we have only met virtually, my mentee and I have discussed resumes, what an internship is like, his school studio work, and many other things in between. I am grateful I can share my own experience and help shape his successful entry into his architecture career."
— Brandon Wang
Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal
Kirsten Sibilia is serving the Nominating Committee for the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. The committee is elected each year to select candidates for the AIA New York Board and the Fellows, Finance, Honors, Oculus, and Design Awards Committees.
“It has been enriching collaborating with my fellow committee members to help create a diverse, thoughtful, and talented slate of leaders for the Chapter, professionals that share our commitment to the AIA, our belief in New York City, and our support of equitable practice models.”
— Kirsten Sibilia
Community and professional engagement is a critical component of daily life at Dattner Architects. Our collaborative team approach nurtures learning and professional growth through exposure not only to new project opportunities, but also to professional industry organizations and local community groups. We believe that active engagement in professional organizations empowers our staff to have agency over decisions that affect both their personal and professional lives, and leads to a more robust, well-rounded, and meaningful career.
Here are some highlights from the past quarter:
Keith Engel, Senior Associate & Studio Director
Keith Engel was appointed by the Queens Borough President to a Board member position on Queens Community Board 6, which encompasses the Forest Hills and Rego Park neighborhoods of Queens. His term began on April 1st and will run for two years. The Community Board is the official municipal body whose primary mission is to advise elected officials and government agencies on matters affecting the social welfare of their district, which include broad matters such as land use, housing, education, and transportation.
“As someone who has dedicated my career to practicing socially responsible design, I’ve worked extensively with various non-profits to develop affordable, supportive, and homeless housing for those New Yorkers who need it the most. Such endeavors often involve presentations to Community Board’s across the five boroughs, and it was during these conversations with Community Boards that I became concerned that – as an Architect – my ability to directly affect positive change within a community is limited. I am excited to begin my term as a Community Board member so I can be an active participant in the conversation, and to offer my professional expertise to the dialogue about the important issues affecting the community—of affordable housing, of homelessness, of climate change, and of social justice.”
— Keith Engel
Aimee Hultquist, Project Architect
Aimee Hultquist is participating in the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)’s Emerging Leaders Program, which is a selective professional development opportunity for women 5-10 years out of school. In small group format, participants engage with significant senior women in architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, law, and financial services to advance their own career goals.
“The fellowship theme this year is Perseverance, Politics, and Power – it's a great opportunity to interface with significant senior women in architecture about these topics and to share our experiences as young women building our careers in the A/E industry. The group is a mix of architects and engineers bringing their perspectives to discussions, which is different and exciting—I'm looking forward to being a part of it!”
— Aimee Hultquist
Ruth Ro, Associate Principal
Ruth Ro was selected as a Build Out Alliance board member. Build Out Alliance’s mission is to promote and advocate for the LGBTQ community within the building design and construction industry—where members can serve openly and with pride across all roles and sectors of the industry.
“When I am out and visible in the workplace, I’m able to open minds, break down preconceptions, and create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. I have benefitted from brave trailblazers ahead of me and I have a responsibility to leave a wider path behind me. Through Build Out, we can continue to find strength in numbers, be more visible, and create a more inclusive industry.”
— Ruth Ro
Brandon Wang, Project Architect
Brandon Wang is an Architectural League mentor. The Architectural League's mentorship program fosters student-mentor relationships between practicing architects and designers in New York and architecture students from City Tech, CCNY, and Kean University. The program also aims to increase awareness of professional opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and give mentoring architects a chance to share expertise and realistic career expectations. Through virtual check-ins, the relationships become a space for guidance and learning for students entering the practice.
“Though we have only met virtually, my mentee and I have discussed resumes, what an internship is like, his school studio work, and many other things in between. I am grateful I can share my own experience and help shape his successful entry into his architecture career."
— Brandon Wang
Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal
Kirsten Sibilia is serving the Nominating Committee for the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. The committee is elected each year to select candidates for the AIA New York Board and the Fellows, Finance, Honors, Oculus, and Design Awards Committees.
“It has been enriching collaborating with my fellow committee members to help create a diverse, thoughtful, and talented slate of leaders for the Chapter, professionals that share our commitment to the AIA, our belief in New York City, and our support of equitable practice models.”
— Kirsten Sibilia
“This is more than just bricks and mortar … this is more than dollar and cents … this is about families being able to call this their home … We are building community. This is a piece of a larger puzzle to make the Bronx better.” — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
On April 1, Dattner Architects joined the Association of New York Catholic Homes, Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Archbishop of New York), Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (executive director of Catholic Charities of New York), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., and building residents for the opening of Second Farms. Located at 1932 Bryant Avenue in the West Farms section of the Bronx, this new mixed-use residential development offers 319 units of affordable housing, a community facility, and commercial space. The 15-story building is sited on a narrow, sloped site, with rock outcroppings characteristic of much of the Bronx, and sits within a landscaped forecourt.
“I have a wonderful home here. I don’t have to worry about things like before when we were struggling and homeless. This is a new start for us.” — Nelly Perez, Second Farms resident
Second Farms is 100% affordable with units set aside for formerly homeless families, and residents with mobility disabilities or visually impaired. The building is designed as family housing, with apartments as large as 3-bedrooms, and also includes shared co-working spaces for tenants, bike storage space, a daycare facility, ground floor grocery store, and outdoor spaces for passive recreation and socializing.
The modern building incorporates four different colors of brick, employed to distinguish the various sections of the building. Black brick connects windows making columns of two and three, informing the main design of the façade. White bricks cover two corners, and golden bricks rise in a thin column from above the main entrance, creating the illusion of division in the center of the structure to break down the visual mass of the long façade.
“Second Farms is the result of a sustained team effort over many years to redevelop a site which had long been underused and previously contained an abandoned, deteriorating parking garage. Through sensible and environmentally responsible design, our goal was to help improve people’s lives in the area and promote healthy living by providing quality affordable housing, as well as much needed space for a daycare facility and retail. We are confident that this building will help revitalize a key area in West Farms, and we hope that the residents and the community at-large will welcome this new addition as a prominent feature in their neighborhood.” — Philippe Martelly, Dattner Architects
“This is more than just bricks and mortar … this is more than dollar and cents … this is about families being able to call this their home … We are building community. This is a piece of a larger puzzle to make the Bronx better.” — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
On April 1, Dattner Architects joined the Association of New York Catholic Homes, Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Archbishop of New York), Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (executive director of Catholic Charities of New York), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., and building residents for the opening of Second Farms. Located at 1932 Bryant Avenue in the West Farms section of the Bronx, this new mixed-use residential development offers 319 units of affordable housing, a community facility, and commercial space. The 15-story building is sited on a narrow, sloped site, with rock outcroppings characteristic of much of the Bronx, and sits within a landscaped forecourt.
“I have a wonderful home here. I don’t have to worry about things like before when we were struggling and homeless. This is a new start for us.” — Nelly Perez, Second Farms resident
Second Farms is 100% affordable with units set aside for formerly homeless families, and residents with mobility disabilities or visually impaired. The building is designed as family housing, with apartments as large as 3-bedrooms, and also includes shared co-working spaces for tenants, bike storage space, a daycare facility, ground floor grocery store, and outdoor spaces for passive recreation and socializing.
The modern building incorporates four different colors of brick, employed to distinguish the various sections of the building. Black brick connects windows making columns of two and three, informing the main design of the façade. White bricks cover two corners, and golden bricks rise in a thin column from above the main entrance, creating the illusion of division in the center of the structure to break down the visual mass of the long façade.
“Second Farms is the result of a sustained team effort over many years to redevelop a site which had long been underused and previously contained an abandoned, deteriorating parking garage. Through sensible and environmentally responsible design, our goal was to help improve people’s lives in the area and promote healthy living by providing quality affordable housing, as well as much needed space for a daycare facility and retail. We are confident that this building will help revitalize a key area in West Farms, and we hope that the residents and the community at-large will welcome this new addition as a prominent feature in their neighborhood.” — Philippe Martelly, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects celebrated Women’s History Month by highlighting women architects and designers within our firm. We kicked-off the month with our first ever “Lady Principal Panel” discussion. Each of Dattner’s four female principals shared their professional journeys, the different pathways they took to leadership, and multi-generational perspectives on female leadership and advocacy in the AEC industry.
On International Women’s Day, we published a one-on-one interview between two female colleagues. The conversational interview provided insight into the unique and dynamic women and supportive culture within Dattner Architects.
Throughout the month of March, we highlighted relationships in our Dattner Architects Mentoring Program. We asked our staff to reflect on the program, their mentor/mentee relationships, and the impact it has had during the pandemic. The result was a series of intimate portraits of mentoring at Dattner Architects. One of the relationships featured was a mentorship “tree”: a senior mentor, a mid-level mentor/mentee, and a junior mentee.
Mentoring is deeply important work and has proven to be a fulfilling and satisfying experience for both mentors and mentees. It is very personal work that is easily overlooked and undervalued in traditional corporate settings. By publishing these writings, we hoped to make this often-invisible work, visible.
Not just during Women’s History Month, but all year long, we encourage the professional development of women at Dattner Architects – and we are proud of the supportive culture we are building.
Links:
Ruth Ro and Kate McNamara on Representation and Being a Woman Architect
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Taylor, Rebecca, and Laura
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Athena, Soumya, and Gia
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Mia, Wei, and Kristy
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Kirsten, Shefali, and Emily
Dattner Architects celebrated Women’s History Month by highlighting women architects and designers within our firm. We kicked-off the month with our first ever “Lady Principal Panel” discussion. Each of Dattner’s four female principals shared their professional journeys, the different pathways they took to leadership, and multi-generational perspectives on female leadership and advocacy in the AEC industry.
On International Women’s Day, we published a one-on-one interview between two female colleagues. The conversational interview provided insight into the unique and dynamic women and supportive culture within Dattner Architects.
Throughout the month of March, we highlighted relationships in our Dattner Architects Mentoring Program. We asked our staff to reflect on the program, their mentor/mentee relationships, and the impact it has had during the pandemic. The result was a series of intimate portraits of mentoring at Dattner Architects. One of the relationships featured was a mentorship “tree”: a senior mentor, a mid-level mentor/mentee, and a junior mentee.
Mentoring is deeply important work and has proven to be a fulfilling and satisfying experience for both mentors and mentees. It is very personal work that is easily overlooked and undervalued in traditional corporate settings. By publishing these writings, we hoped to make this often-invisible work, visible.
Not just during Women’s History Month, but all year long, we encourage the professional development of women at Dattner Architects – and we are proud of the supportive culture we are building.
Links:
Ruth Ro and Kate McNamara on Representation and Being a Woman Architect
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Taylor, Rebecca, and Laura
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Athena, Soumya, and Gia
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Mia, Wei, and Kristy
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Kirsten, Shefali, and Emily
Dattner Architects joined Monadnock Development, Signature Urban Properties, as well as several community leaders for the ground breaking of the last phase of the Compass Residences — a mixed-use affordable housing complex in the West Farms section of the Bronx. Compass 6 will be 16 stories and offer 261 units of affordable housing, half of which will be reserved for families earning under $52,000 a year. Once completed, the 17-acre Compass Residences development will provide over 1,300 affordable apartments, ground floor retail spaces, community facility uses, and vibrant public outdoor space.
“Once this final building is complete, the development project will have changed the lives of nearly 1,400 households by providing quality affordable housing and access to great outdoor spaces and retail – all of which are critical to the City’s equitable recovery from this pandemic.” – Deputy Mayor Vicki Been
Compass Residences is the result of a large-scale redevelopment plan – the largest private rezoning in Bronx history, enabling a new neighborhood to be built on a largely underutilized manufacturing district, well-served by mass transit, schools, parks, and open space. The development provides buildings of varying heights stepping up to the urban edge along the Bronx River, organized around courtyards which provide recreational areas for residents with parking areas below. Mid-block passages humanize the streetscape and provide views to nearby Starlight Park. Compass Residences exemplifies transformative development with extensive community input, providing housing opportunities while reinforcing the fabric and life of the Bronx.
“Moving to Compass Residence was a gift from God. It was close, it was still in the neighborhood, but it’s a brand-new complex with elevators. It met all my needs. And it's good for the neighborhood. It's nice to see nice places for us to live. And I always believe it's not where you live, how you are. And hopefully, we can all take advantage of the parks, the new school and everything that's coming to the neighborhood.” – Vernice, Compass 2 resident
Dattner Architects joined Monadnock Development, Signature Urban Properties, as well as several community leaders for the ground breaking of the last phase of the Compass Residences — a mixed-use affordable housing complex in the West Farms section of the Bronx. Compass 6 will be 16 stories and offer 261 units of affordable housing, half of which will be reserved for families earning under $52,000 a year. Once completed, the 17-acre Compass Residences development will provide over 1,300 affordable apartments, ground floor retail spaces, community facility uses, and vibrant public outdoor space.
“Once this final building is complete, the development project will have changed the lives of nearly 1,400 households by providing quality affordable housing and access to great outdoor spaces and retail – all of which are critical to the City’s equitable recovery from this pandemic.” – Deputy Mayor Vicki Been
Compass Residences is the result of a large-scale redevelopment plan – the largest private rezoning in Bronx history, enabling a new neighborhood to be built on a largely underutilized manufacturing district, well-served by mass transit, schools, parks, and open space. The development provides buildings of varying heights stepping up to the urban edge along the Bronx River, organized around courtyards which provide recreational areas for residents with parking areas below. Mid-block passages humanize the streetscape and provide views to nearby Starlight Park. Compass Residences exemplifies transformative development with extensive community input, providing housing opportunities while reinforcing the fabric and life of the Bronx.
“Moving to Compass Residence was a gift from God. It was close, it was still in the neighborhood, but it’s a brand-new complex with elevators. It met all my needs. And it's good for the neighborhood. It's nice to see nice places for us to live. And I always believe it's not where you live, how you are. And hopefully, we can all take advantage of the parks, the new school and everything that's coming to the neighborhood.” – Vernice, Compass 2 resident
The future of affordable housing must be climate-friendly, and it must provide a model for community living that is splendid and racially just. How can the lessons of Via Verde help shape the future of green social housing in the United States?
On Thursday, March 18, we had a dynamic discussion on the future of green social housing with a focus on lessons learned from our award-winning project, Via Verde! Sponsored by UPenn and Pratt Institute, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal William Stein was joined by Jonathan Rose (President, Jonathan Rose Companies), Jessica Clemente (CEO, WE STAY/Nos Quedamos), Karen Kubey (Visiting Associate Professor, Pratt Institute), Nikil Saval (State Senator, Pennsylvania’s First District), and Daniel Aldana Cohen (Director of the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaborative, UPenn).
Find a video recording of the event here: https://vimeo.com/527101000
Via Verde is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the New Housing New York Legacy Competition, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing.
Sustainability and longevity were key drivers at Via Verde, enabling the project to become a stable precedent and archetype for future subsidized housing in New York. Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, the project was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66 kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
The future of affordable housing must be climate-friendly, and it must provide a model for community living that is splendid and racially just. How can the lessons of Via Verde help shape the future of green social housing in the United States?
On Thursday, March 18, we had a dynamic discussion on the future of green social housing with a focus on lessons learned from our award-winning project, Via Verde! Sponsored by UPenn and Pratt Institute, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal William Stein was joined by Jonathan Rose (President, Jonathan Rose Companies), Jessica Clemente (CEO, WE STAY/Nos Quedamos), Karen Kubey (Visiting Associate Professor, Pratt Institute), Nikil Saval (State Senator, Pennsylvania’s First District), and Daniel Aldana Cohen (Director of the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaborative, UPenn).
Find a video recording of the event here: https://vimeo.com/527101000
Via Verde is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the New Housing New York Legacy Competition, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing.
Sustainability and longevity were key drivers at Via Verde, enabling the project to become a stable precedent and archetype for future subsidized housing in New York. Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, the project was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66 kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
On September 16, 2020, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP discussed equity in community engagement with AIA New Jersey. She was joined on the panel by Simone Tsigounis AIA, Susan Pikaart Bristol AIA, and Stacey Ruhle Kliesch AIA.
Based on principles from the AIA Guides to Equitable Practice, the panelists identified areas of the profession that are lacking equity and provided tools and lessons that attendees can apply to increase equity in their own personal and professional communities.
Themes that were covered during the panel included strategies in achieving greater equity in community engagement, increasing the profession’s value to society as well as its visibility among potential partners and future practitioners. The panelists covered fundamental principles and attributes of community engagement and specific methods for working with community members in equitable, inclusive, and just design practices, decision making, and outcomes.
“When architects engage with local government, whether through elected office or appointment to boards and commissions, we demonstrate expertise and show our engagement with local issues that are important to our communities.
We can advocate and plan for affordable housing for all residents. We can make the case for calmer, safer streets that are walkable, bikeable, and equitable. We can champion regional planning partnerships to reduce congestion and guide smart development in our towns and counties. We can focus on infrastructure investment to build resiliency and transportation equity.
Architects are natural leaders and consensus-builders! Volunteer in your community to help lead the way.” – Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP
On September 16, 2020, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP discussed equity in community engagement with AIA New Jersey. She was joined on the panel by Simone Tsigounis AIA, Susan Pikaart Bristol AIA, and Stacey Ruhle Kliesch AIA.
Based on principles from the AIA Guides to Equitable Practice, the panelists identified areas of the profession that are lacking equity and provided tools and lessons that attendees can apply to increase equity in their own personal and professional communities.
Themes that were covered during the panel included strategies in achieving greater equity in community engagement, increasing the profession’s value to society as well as its visibility among potential partners and future practitioners. The panelists covered fundamental principles and attributes of community engagement and specific methods for working with community members in equitable, inclusive, and just design practices, decision making, and outcomes.
“When architects engage with local government, whether through elected office or appointment to boards and commissions, we demonstrate expertise and show our engagement with local issues that are important to our communities.
We can advocate and plan for affordable housing for all residents. We can make the case for calmer, safer streets that are walkable, bikeable, and equitable. We can champion regional planning partnerships to reduce congestion and guide smart development in our towns and counties. We can focus on infrastructure investment to build resiliency and transportation equity.
Architects are natural leaders and consensus-builders! Volunteer in your community to help lead the way.” – Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP
Each year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selects members to be elevated to the College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor in recognition of significant achievements and architectural excellence. Only 3% of AIA members have this distinction. Awarded for his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture, we are proud to announce that Principal Jeffrey Dugan has been selected as part of this year’s class of AIA Fellows!
“Jeff’s leadership and collaborative approach has advanced the art and practice of architecture, creating a model for managing civic projects, weaving together policy, design, technical, and constructability aspects to achieve excellence. The results are projects that have improved communities and cities with positive impacts on the lives of millions of users. His work provides a template for architects to take leadership roles in service of the public interest.” – William Stein FAIA, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal
Jeff’s commitment to shaping and elevating the civic realm, advancing community, and creating connections among all elements of urban life has found its primary expression in the planning and design of facilities for public transportation. While Jeff has devoted his efforts and expertise to transportation, he has also designed educational, institutional, healthcare, and housing projects – both new and renovations. Through these projects, Jeff reveals a keen understanding of how people move through space, how architecture affects mood and behavior, and how the relationship between a project and its environs can create, enhance, or spark the development of community.
Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure (AIANY T+I) Committee, Jeff has been responsible not only for the committee’s growth in membership, but for its prominence within the Chapter. His programs, advocacy, and related initiatives have raised the visibility and captured the attention of the profession and the public alike. Among his most prominent efforts is his leadership in shaping the Committee’s contributions to the Chapter’s Post-Sandy Initiative Report. In addition to conducting research and identifying illustrative precedent projects, Jeff undertook a strategic analysis of local and international case studies, resulting in three key approaches to the issue of resilience: defensive, adaptive, and passive.
“It is a great honor to be elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows—to be associated with architects that I hold in such high esteem. The case for Fellowship was based on my practice and leadership in designing innovative and precedent setting transportation and community facilities that advance and enrich the urban social infrastructure and transform the public sphere. After nearly a year of political, social, and public health crises, this FAIA moment has re-energized me. This recognition affirms my belief that Infrastructure defines my community, it defines my practice, and it defines me.” – Jeff Dugan FAIA
Each year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selects members to be elevated to the College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor in recognition of significant achievements and architectural excellence. Only 3% of AIA members have this distinction. Awarded for his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture, we are proud to announce that Principal Jeffrey Dugan has been selected as part of this year’s class of AIA Fellows!
“Jeff’s leadership and collaborative approach has advanced the art and practice of architecture, creating a model for managing civic projects, weaving together policy, design, technical, and constructability aspects to achieve excellence. The results are projects that have improved communities and cities with positive impacts on the lives of millions of users. His work provides a template for architects to take leadership roles in service of the public interest.” – William Stein FAIA, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal
Jeff’s commitment to shaping and elevating the civic realm, advancing community, and creating connections among all elements of urban life has found its primary expression in the planning and design of facilities for public transportation. While Jeff has devoted his efforts and expertise to transportation, he has also designed educational, institutional, healthcare, and housing projects – both new and renovations. Through these projects, Jeff reveals a keen understanding of how people move through space, how architecture affects mood and behavior, and how the relationship between a project and its environs can create, enhance, or spark the development of community.
Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure (AIANY T+I) Committee, Jeff has been responsible not only for the committee’s growth in membership, but for its prominence within the Chapter. His programs, advocacy, and related initiatives have raised the visibility and captured the attention of the profession and the public alike. Among his most prominent efforts is his leadership in shaping the Committee’s contributions to the Chapter’s Post-Sandy Initiative Report. In addition to conducting research and identifying illustrative precedent projects, Jeff undertook a strategic analysis of local and international case studies, resulting in three key approaches to the issue of resilience: defensive, adaptive, and passive.
“It is a great honor to be elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows—to be associated with architects that I hold in such high esteem. The case for Fellowship was based on my practice and leadership in designing innovative and precedent setting transportation and community facilities that advance and enrich the urban social infrastructure and transform the public sphere. After nearly a year of political, social, and public health crises, this FAIA moment has re-energized me. This recognition affirms my belief that Infrastructure defines my community, it defines my practice, and it defines me.” – Jeff Dugan FAIA
On February 23, Associate Principal Ruth Ro and Principal Gia Mainiero will join other industry leaders and peers for this year’s New York Festival of Construction.
Panel: Keeping Up the Collaboration – Staying Connected During Covid
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 10:30am
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Yemi Green (AECOM); Meredith Neistadt (SOM); Chris Pollock (ARUP); Jenna Pellegrino (Autodesk)
Panel: Best Practice in Design & Build
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 1:00pm
Speakers: Gia Mainiero (Dattner Architects); Rakesh Shah (Burns & McDonnell); Brian Strydom (FXCollaborative); Jacob Raskin (Structure Tone); Oliver Burkler (FARO Technologies)
New York Festival of Construction is New York’s largest online construction event, covering all the latest projects and opportunities for the construction and design industry across New York and the Tri-State area. Over the course of five days, the festival brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, webinars, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Register for free tickets: https://newyorkfestivalofconstruction.com/live-webinars
On February 23, Associate Principal Ruth Ro and Principal Gia Mainiero will join other industry leaders and peers for this year’s New York Festival of Construction.
Panel: Keeping Up the Collaboration – Staying Connected During Covid
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 10:30am
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Yemi Green (AECOM); Meredith Neistadt (SOM); Chris Pollock (ARUP); Jenna Pellegrino (Autodesk)
Panel: Best Practice in Design & Build
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 1:00pm
Speakers: Gia Mainiero (Dattner Architects); Rakesh Shah (Burns & McDonnell); Brian Strydom (FXCollaborative); Jacob Raskin (Structure Tone); Oliver Burkler (FARO Technologies)
New York Festival of Construction is New York’s largest online construction event, covering all the latest projects and opportunities for the construction and design industry across New York and the Tri-State area. Over the course of five days, the festival brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, webinars, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Register for free tickets: https://newyorkfestivalofconstruction.com/live-webinars
The Real Deal recently named Dattner Architects as one of the most active architects in 2020. Based on new building permit applications filed in the last year in New York City, Dattner was ranked #2 with 12 new projects totaling 1.98 million square feet.
2020 proved to be a challenging year for both the regional and national economy, with the advent of COVID-19 upending day-to-day life in NYC and beyond. Through the height of the pandemic, Dattner Architects’ diverse expertise — spanning transportation, healthcare, housing, education, and more — allowed the firm to be nimble, pivoting to meet client’s changing needs and schedules, never compromising design or quality. Together with our clients and consultants, we found new ways to collaborate and connect. Through this, Dattner Architects was able to continue to deliver the social infrastructure projects for which they are so well-known.
“We are incredibly proud that our staff was so resilient, tremendously grateful for our clients, and truly appreciative of the supportive A/E/C community that is working together to get New York City back,” said Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal. “We are drawing on the lessons learned during this unprecedented time to continue to improve the way we practice.”
The Real Deal recently named Dattner Architects as one of the most active architects in 2020. Based on new building permit applications filed in the last year in New York City, Dattner was ranked #2 with 12 new projects totaling 1.98 million square feet.
2020 proved to be a challenging year for both the regional and national economy, with the advent of COVID-19 upending day-to-day life in NYC and beyond. Through the height of the pandemic, Dattner Architects’ diverse expertise — spanning transportation, healthcare, housing, education, and more — allowed the firm to be nimble, pivoting to meet client’s changing needs and schedules, never compromising design or quality. Together with our clients and consultants, we found new ways to collaborate and connect. Through this, Dattner Architects was able to continue to deliver the social infrastructure projects for which they are so well-known.
“We are incredibly proud that our staff was so resilient, tremendously grateful for our clients, and truly appreciative of the supportive A/E/C community that is working together to get New York City back,” said Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal. “We are drawing on the lessons learned during this unprecedented time to continue to improve the way we practice.”
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA has been elevated to Principal in recognition of her contributions to the firm and her evolving role in the practice.
A born-and-raised New Yorker, Gia came to Dattner Architects in 2006, captivated by the intricate and interrelated systems that make urban life possible. Her determination to garner a big picture understanding of how things work has led her to manage many of the firm’s infrastructure and transportation projects. Passionate about public architecture, Gia was a core team member for the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed, and is committed to creating inspiring, sustainable infrastructure for future generations. Her recent clients include NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, the General Services Administration, and MTA Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority.
"Gia Mainiero’s commitment to the design of essential infrastructure, improving the built environment throughout New York City, and ability to build consensus among project stakeholders make her Dattner Architects’ newest valued partner." — expressed principal Paul Bauer AIA.
In her new role as Principal, Gia will lead the design and management of infrastructure, transportation, and design-build projects at Dattner Architects and continue her role as a mentor within the office.
“I am grateful and honored to join the other principals in leading our community of driven professionals at Dattner Architects. A strong conviction for the value of essential architecture is what drew me to Dattner 15 years ago, and I am thrilled to continue and evolve the firm’s positive impact in sustaining urban life.” — Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA has been elevated to Principal in recognition of her contributions to the firm and her evolving role in the practice.
A born-and-raised New Yorker, Gia came to Dattner Architects in 2006, captivated by the intricate and interrelated systems that make urban life possible. Her determination to garner a big picture understanding of how things work has led her to manage many of the firm’s infrastructure and transportation projects. Passionate about public architecture, Gia was a core team member for the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed, and is committed to creating inspiring, sustainable infrastructure for future generations. Her recent clients include NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, the General Services Administration, and MTA Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority.
"Gia Mainiero’s commitment to the design of essential infrastructure, improving the built environment throughout New York City, and ability to build consensus among project stakeholders make her Dattner Architects’ newest valued partner." — expressed principal Paul Bauer AIA.
In her new role as Principal, Gia will lead the design and management of infrastructure, transportation, and design-build projects at Dattner Architects and continue her role as a mentor within the office.
“I am grateful and honored to join the other principals in leading our community of driven professionals at Dattner Architects. A strong conviction for the value of essential architecture is what drew me to Dattner 15 years ago, and I am thrilled to continue and evolve the firm’s positive impact in sustaining urban life.” — Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has approved the application for St. James Terrace – a supportive and affordable housing development and community center adjacent to the landmarked St. James Episcopal Church in the Bronx.
The south end of the new residential building incorporates a monumental entrance from Jerome Avenue to the existing church site. The Gothic arches visually connect the double-height passageway to the historic buildings. As you move through the entrance arcade, the arched openings frame oblique and axial views of the "English country church on a hill" before opening on to a new, landscaped courtyard. This outdoor room is proposed as a new cloister or "close" for the church that ties together the new building, the existing Parish House, and the sanctuary. The new building and site design replace a parking lot, creating new ways to view and access the historic buildings while providing much-needed housing and new services to the Fordham community.
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has approved the application for St. James Terrace – a supportive and affordable housing development and community center adjacent to the landmarked St. James Episcopal Church in the Bronx.
The south end of the new residential building incorporates a monumental entrance from Jerome Avenue to the existing church site. The Gothic arches visually connect the double-height passageway to the historic buildings. As you move through the entrance arcade, the arched openings frame oblique and axial views of the "English country church on a hill" before opening on to a new, landscaped courtyard. This outdoor room is proposed as a new cloister or "close" for the church that ties together the new building, the existing Parish House, and the sanctuary. The new building and site design replace a parking lot, creating new ways to view and access the historic buildings while providing much-needed housing and new services to the Fordham community.
Dattner Architects’ Gia Mainiero has been selected as one of PWC’s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Women in Construction. The 40 recipients are a diverse group of women with every chapter of PWC represented.
“I am truly grateful to be recognized with this group of incredible women, representing interdisciplinary leadership and collaboration throughout our industry!" – Gia Mainiero, Associate Principal
An Associate Principal at Dattner Architects, Gia is the Director of the Transportation and Infrastructure studio where she is responsible for the studio culture, staffing, design, and management of a variety of infrastructure and building projects in the public realm. She plays a key role on public agency contracts with the NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, and has made significant contributions to the design of projects for the GSA, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and the Battery Park City Authority.
The 2020 40 Under 40 Class will be recognized during PWC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on December 10.
Dattner Architects’ Gia Mainiero has been selected as one of PWC’s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Women in Construction. The 40 recipients are a diverse group of women with every chapter of PWC represented.
“I am truly grateful to be recognized with this group of incredible women, representing interdisciplinary leadership and collaboration throughout our industry!" – Gia Mainiero, Associate Principal
An Associate Principal at Dattner Architects, Gia is the Director of the Transportation and Infrastructure studio where she is responsible for the studio culture, staffing, design, and management of a variety of infrastructure and building projects in the public realm. She plays a key role on public agency contracts with the NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, and has made significant contributions to the design of projects for the GSA, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and the Battery Park City Authority.
The 2020 40 Under 40 Class will be recognized during PWC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on December 10.
CURBED recently covered the energy-efficiency report cards for 50 of New York's most recognizable buildings. Ranked according to the U.S. Energy Star Score, topping the list is Via Verde with a score of 96 – giving it an A.
Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, Via Verde was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66-kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting, and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
A model for affordable, sustainable residential developments, Via Verde reflects the City's public commitment to creating the next generation of social housing.
CURBED recently covered the energy-efficiency report cards for 50 of New York's most recognizable buildings. Ranked according to the U.S. Energy Star Score, topping the list is Via Verde with a score of 96 – giving it an A.
Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, Via Verde was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66-kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting, and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
A model for affordable, sustainable residential developments, Via Verde reflects the City's public commitment to creating the next generation of social housing.
To protect the safety of the community, OHNY Weekend—an annual, citywide celebration of architecture—went virtual this year, offering everyone an opportunity to learn more about New York City's built environment and the important architectural works fundamental to civic life. As a longtime supporter of OHNY, we are always excited and proud to participate every year—and this year was no exception. On October 17 and 18, OHNY Weekenders were given access to more than 150 ways to explore and experience the city.
Here is a quick sneak peek:
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.dattner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Teaser_2.mp4"][/video]
Re-live the unique experience with tours of the East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station and the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed.
To protect the safety of the community, OHNY Weekend—an annual, citywide celebration of architecture—went virtual this year, offering everyone an opportunity to learn more about New York City's built environment and the important architectural works fundamental to civic life. As a longtime supporter of OHNY, we are always excited and proud to participate every year—and this year was no exception. On October 17 and 18, OHNY Weekenders were given access to more than 150 ways to explore and experience the city.
Here is a quick sneak peek:
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.dattner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Teaser_2.mp4"][/video]
Re-live the unique experience with tours of the East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station and the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed.
A collaboration between the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute, Neighborhoods Now connects leading design firms with neighborhoods hard-hit by COVID-19 – working together to develop safe and effective reopening strategies. Dattner Architects partnered with MBB and community partner, University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP), a non-profit organization working to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing in the Northwest Bronx.
Two priorities for UNHP included:
Updating UNHP’s main office located at 2751 Grand Concourse for core employees to safely return to work
Update community rooms at UNHP’s senior housing facilities for safe social gathering
Utilizing a phased approach and a menu of implementation strategies, the Dattner/MBB/UNHP team reconfigured UNHP’s main office to accommodate for social distancing. Programming elements include reducing the number of workstations in each room, implementing a COVID-19 check-in station, and installing plexiglass partitions and air purifiers. The team will also provide the Rose Hill Community Center with a cost-friendly outdoor module planter system to encourage tenants to gather safely outside their apartments.
To learn more, please join us on October 7 as we take part in a virtual public forum to discuss our work with the Neighborhoods Now initiative and reflect on how collaborative design can inform neighborhood recovery strategies.
A collaboration between the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute, Neighborhoods Now connects leading design firms with neighborhoods hard-hit by COVID-19 – working together to develop safe and effective reopening strategies. Dattner Architects partnered with MBB and community partner, University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP), a non-profit organization working to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing in the Northwest Bronx.
Two priorities for UNHP included:
Updating UNHP’s main office located at 2751 Grand Concourse for core employees to safely return to work
Update community rooms at UNHP’s senior housing facilities for safe social gathering
Utilizing a phased approach and a menu of implementation strategies, the Dattner/MBB/UNHP team reconfigured UNHP’s main office to accommodate for social distancing. Programming elements include reducing the number of workstations in each room, implementing a COVID-19 check-in station, and installing plexiglass partitions and air purifiers. The team will also provide the Rose Hill Community Center with a cost-friendly outdoor module planter system to encourage tenants to gather safely outside their apartments.
To learn more, please join us on October 7 as we take part in a virtual public forum to discuss our work with the Neighborhoods Now initiative and reflect on how collaborative design can inform neighborhood recovery strategies.
“As the founding partner, I come to the office just about every day to work with a diverse staff from around the world and see the incredible variety of projects coming through our office.” – Richard Dattner
Dattner Architects’ Founding Principal Richard Dattner is featured in an alumni profile by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s world-renowned, independent media company, MIT Technology Review. Richard speaks with Julie Fox about how MIT influenced his interest in large-scale infrastructure, the humble beginnings of Dattner Architects, the birth of PlayCubes, and more.
“As the founding partner, I come to the office just about every day to work with a diverse staff from around the world and see the incredible variety of projects coming through our office.” – Richard Dattner
Dattner Architects’ Founding Principal Richard Dattner is featured in an alumni profile by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s world-renowned, independent media company, MIT Technology Review. Richard speaks with Julie Fox about how MIT influenced his interest in large-scale infrastructure, the humble beginnings of Dattner Architects, the birth of PlayCubes, and more.
AIA New York’s annual Day of Service is an opportunity for architects to bring ideas to life for nonprofit organizations around the city, including much-needed upgrades to their facilities or assistance with their mission. Dattner Architects’ first year participating in Day of Service was a great success thanks to a tremendous group effort by the Dattner and Services for the UnderServed (S:US) team.
S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. Their thriving Urban Farms program provides therapeutic horticulture, nutritional programming, and employment opportunities to the individuals they serve – through workshops, field experiences, and their network of community farms and garden spaces.
We partnered with S:US to make a series of improvements to their urban garden at the Marcy Hart residences in Brooklyn, NY. This garden is home to everything from beehives to a rice pond along with a wide array of garden beds and native plants.
Held on site on August 15, 2020, our goal was to help S:US realize a portion of their master plan for the Marcy Hart space. We are proud to say that we were able to rebuild raised garden beds, install new fencing, update patios and planting areas, and add our own bench/planter modules.
We are grateful that we were able to make such positive impacts for the Marcy Hart Farm and the many people who depend on and use this space! Thank you to everyone who donated their creativity, their labor, and funds.
“Beyond just being able to harvest their own fruits and vegetables, the Marcy Hart backyard is a little green oasis for the residents. You made it even more so." – Minjung Park, Volunteer & Community Relations Manager, Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
“Dattner Architects partnership with S:US for our first year participating in the AIANY Day of Service was a successful, tremendous group effort. Coming together as a community to help others during this time of crisis was particularly meaningful.” Emily Trulson, Day of Service Leader, Dattner Architects
Be sure to join us on September 15 as we discuss the Marcy Hart project, including the collaborative process of design, material procurement, and implementation during AIA New York’s Day of Service: 2020 Program Highlights live webinar.
AIA New York’s annual Day of Service is an opportunity for architects to bring ideas to life for nonprofit organizations around the city, including much-needed upgrades to their facilities or assistance with their mission. Dattner Architects’ first year participating in Day of Service was a great success thanks to a tremendous group effort by the Dattner and Services for the UnderServed (S:US) team.
S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. Their thriving Urban Farms program provides therapeutic horticulture, nutritional programming, and employment opportunities to the individuals they serve – through workshops, field experiences, and their network of community farms and garden spaces.
We partnered with S:US to make a series of improvements to their urban garden at the Marcy Hart residences in Brooklyn, NY. This garden is home to everything from beehives to a rice pond along with a wide array of garden beds and native plants.
Held on site on August 15, 2020, our goal was to help S:US realize a portion of their master plan for the Marcy Hart space. We are proud to say that we were able to rebuild raised garden beds, install new fencing, update patios and planting areas, and add our own bench/planter modules.
We are grateful that we were able to make such positive impacts for the Marcy Hart Farm and the many people who depend on and use this space! Thank you to everyone who donated their creativity, their labor, and funds.
“Beyond just being able to harvest their own fruits and vegetables, the Marcy Hart backyard is a little green oasis for the residents. You made it even more so." – Minjung Park, Volunteer & Community Relations Manager, Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
“Dattner Architects partnership with S:US for our first year participating in the AIANY Day of Service was a successful, tremendous group effort. Coming together as a community to help others during this time of crisis was particularly meaningful.” Emily Trulson, Day of Service Leader, Dattner Architects
Be sure to join us on September 15 as we discuss the Marcy Hart project, including the collaborative process of design, material procurement, and implementation during AIA New York’s Day of Service: 2020 Program Highlights live webinar.
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Steiner Studios team that has been selected to design and develop a new 500,000 square foot film and television production facility. Located at Bush Terminal’s Made in New York Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the new hub will mark the first expansion beyond Steiner’s Brooklyn Navy Yard media campus – which currently houses the largest and preeminent film and TV lot outside of Hollywood.
The new Steiner Studios complex will include eight soundstages, the gut renovation of two buildings for additional production support space, and a new parking structure. The project is estimated to create at least 1,800 construction jobs and 2,200 full-time jobs and will include several local workforce-development programs for high school students, summer internships, and funding for non-profit organizations supporting gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the NYC film and TV industry.
As our longtime client, we are thrilled to continue our relationship with Steiner Studios and Steiner NYC. We look forward to designing spaces that help contribute to the growth of the City’s creative industry.
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Steiner Studios team that has been selected to design and develop a new 500,000 square foot film and television production facility. Located at Bush Terminal’s Made in New York Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the new hub will mark the first expansion beyond Steiner’s Brooklyn Navy Yard media campus – which currently houses the largest and preeminent film and TV lot outside of Hollywood.
The new Steiner Studios complex will include eight soundstages, the gut renovation of two buildings for additional production support space, and a new parking structure. The project is estimated to create at least 1,800 construction jobs and 2,200 full-time jobs and will include several local workforce-development programs for high school students, summer internships, and funding for non-profit organizations supporting gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the NYC film and TV industry.
As our longtime client, we are thrilled to continue our relationship with Steiner Studios and Steiner NYC. We look forward to designing spaces that help contribute to the growth of the City’s creative industry.
“…we as architects must envision a new normal.”
– Jeff Dugan AIA
Public mass transportation is the arterial system of New York City. It connects us to the robust built environment where we live, work, and play. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on this very system. Safe and reliable transportation is key to re-establishing normalcy. But what does that look like? What are the challenges moving forward? What must we, as architects, do to create a safe space and environment for our citizens?
Dattner Architects’ Principal Jeff Dugan AIA addresses these issues and more in his Op-Ed in the Summer Issue of Oculus Magazine. As our firm’s transportation design leader and Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure Committee, Jeff uses his vast experience and expertise to reimagine what mass transportation in cities looks like in a post-COVID future.
“In this moment of great uncertainty, architects have a unique opportunity to provide a global model for mass transportation in a post-pandemic New York City.”
“…we as architects must envision a new normal.”
– Jeff Dugan AIA
Public mass transportation is the arterial system of New York City. It connects us to the robust built environment where we live, work, and play. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on this very system. Safe and reliable transportation is key to re-establishing normalcy. But what does that look like? What are the challenges moving forward? What must we, as architects, do to create a safe space and environment for our citizens?
Dattner Architects’ Principal Jeff Dugan AIA addresses these issues and more in his Op-Ed in the Summer Issue of Oculus Magazine. As our firm’s transportation design leader and Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure Committee, Jeff uses his vast experience and expertise to reimagine what mass transportation in cities looks like in a post-COVID future.
“In this moment of great uncertainty, architects have a unique opportunity to provide a global model for mass transportation in a post-pandemic New York City.”
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that East New York Health Hub is the recipient of a 2020 AIA New York State Excelsior Honor Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
Located in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the addition to and transformation of this turn-of-the-century structure allows a growing non-profit to provide essential healthcare and social services in an underserved neighborhood.
The addition and gut renovation expanded existing operations on site from 9,000 to 45,000 square feet, allowing the Institute for Community Living (ICL) to create a one-stop-shop community health facility for mental and physical wellbeing. The design approach creates synergy between programs by consolidating ICL’s extensive existing outreach, mental health service, and family support into one facility and co-locating a new health center operated by non-profit partner Community Healthcare Network.
The architecture of East New York Health Hub encourages physical and mental healing through visual connections to both nature and the community. Garden and terrace spaces, framed views, and access to light and air reinforce the link to the surrounding environment, while framing activities to engage the street and support the relationship with the community.
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that East New York Health Hub is the recipient of a 2020 AIA New York State Excelsior Honor Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
Located in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the addition to and transformation of this turn-of-the-century structure allows a growing non-profit to provide essential healthcare and social services in an underserved neighborhood.
The addition and gut renovation expanded existing operations on site from 9,000 to 45,000 square feet, allowing the Institute for Community Living (ICL) to create a one-stop-shop community health facility for mental and physical wellbeing. The design approach creates synergy between programs by consolidating ICL’s extensive existing outreach, mental health service, and family support into one facility and co-locating a new health center operated by non-profit partner Community Healthcare Network.
The architecture of East New York Health Hub encourages physical and mental healing through visual connections to both nature and the community. Garden and terrace spaces, framed views, and access to light and air reinforce the link to the surrounding environment, while framing activities to engage the street and support the relationship with the community.
As part of the development team led by Bayfront Development Partners (a joint venture of Pennrose and Omni America), Dattner Architects has been selected to design two sites – part of the first phase of the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Phase one of the development includes 16 acres, four parcels, and a total of 1,092 units of multi-family housing. The Pennrose/Omni/Dattner team will design 540 units, 189 of which will be affordable housing.
“Featuring green design, top-notch amenities, and ample outdoor and community spaces, the plans for the Bayfront development will have long-term, positive impacts on the entire neighborhood.” – Jacob Fisher, Regional Vice President at Pennrose
Located on a former brownfield site on the Hackensack River, the Bayfront Redevelopment project will transform the once contaminated site into a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income community. When completed, the project is expected to bring 8,000 units to the city’s west side. It is the largest development project in Jersey City since the Newport community helped transform the Hudson River waterfront into a complex of commercial and residential buildings.
As part of the development team led by Bayfront Development Partners (a joint venture of Pennrose and Omni America), Dattner Architects has been selected to design two sites – part of the first phase of the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Phase one of the development includes 16 acres, four parcels, and a total of 1,092 units of multi-family housing. The Pennrose/Omni/Dattner team will design 540 units, 189 of which will be affordable housing.
“Featuring green design, top-notch amenities, and ample outdoor and community spaces, the plans for the Bayfront development will have long-term, positive impacts on the entire neighborhood.” – Jacob Fisher, Regional Vice President at Pennrose
Located on a former brownfield site on the Hackensack River, the Bayfront Redevelopment project will transform the once contaminated site into a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income community. When completed, the project is expected to bring 8,000 units to the city’s west side. It is the largest development project in Jersey City since the Newport community helped transform the Hudson River waterfront into a complex of commercial and residential buildings.
The NYC Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC) started 2020 with an exhibit at the Center for Architecture – Public Works: Reflecting on 15 Years of Project Excellence for New York City. Dattner Architects is honored to have the 116th Precinct, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed featured in the Public Works exhibit, which is on display till April 4, 2020.
Situated between an active Long Island Railroad (LIRR) raised railway and a residential neighborhood, the new 116th Precinct Station will serve as a mediator between these contrasting urban scales. A key site strategy was to locate the building along the street and place parking behind, shielding it from public view. This gives the police station a presence along the street and protects the character of the residential streetscape and sidewalk from vehicular activity. Designed to encourage community awareness, interaction, and engagement with the NYPD 116th Precinct team, a new public plaza will include public seating and bike racks, and connects the neighborhood to the LIRR Rosedale station entrance. A new community room anchors the corner of the station and serves as a prime programmatic element of the plaza.
Overlooking the Hudson River at the corner of Spring Street and West Street, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The garage accommodates over 150 sanitation vehicles including trucks, frontend loaders, salt spreaders, heavy-equipment wreckers, and personnel vehicles; separate vehicle wash and personnel facilities for each district; and centralized fueling and repair facilities. The double-skin façade wraps the curtain wall with 2,600 custom, perforated, metal fins, vertically articulating and lighting the building’s massing. An extensive 1.5 acre green roof softens views from neighboring buildings, protects the roof membrane, and enhances storm water retention and thermal performance. A benchmark project for NYC’s Active Design program, the garage has achieved LEED Gold certification.
Directly across Spring Street to the north, the Salt Shed’s crystalline, faceted planes enliven this highly visible structure, acting as a counterpoint to the diaphanous, scrim-like façade of the Garage. The cast-in-place concrete structure tapers toward the bottom—creating more pedestrian space—and rises from a glazed moat that is illuminated at night. Rising nearly 70 feet, the shed houses 5,000 tons of salt and creates an iconic landmark at this important intersection. Within the year of opening, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Salt Shed have become a source of neighborhood pride. The garage and salt shed were designed in association with WXY Architecture + Urban Design.
Dattner Architects is a proud partner and supporter of NYC DDC, an agency delivering high-quality public projects that contribute to a thriving and resilient city for all New Yorkers.
The NYC Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC) started 2020 with an exhibit at the Center for Architecture – Public Works: Reflecting on 15 Years of Project Excellence for New York City. Dattner Architects is honored to have the 116th Precinct, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed featured in the Public Works exhibit, which is on display till April 4, 2020.
Situated between an active Long Island Railroad (LIRR) raised railway and a residential neighborhood, the new 116th Precinct Station will serve as a mediator between these contrasting urban scales. A key site strategy was to locate the building along the street and place parking behind, shielding it from public view. This gives the police station a presence along the street and protects the character of the residential streetscape and sidewalk from vehicular activity. Designed to encourage community awareness, interaction, and engagement with the NYPD 116th Precinct team, a new public plaza will include public seating and bike racks, and connects the neighborhood to the LIRR Rosedale station entrance. A new community room anchors the corner of the station and serves as a prime programmatic element of the plaza.
Overlooking the Hudson River at the corner of Spring Street and West Street, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The garage accommodates over 150 sanitation vehicles including trucks, frontend loaders, salt spreaders, heavy-equipment wreckers, and personnel vehicles; separate vehicle wash and personnel facilities for each district; and centralized fueling and repair facilities. The double-skin façade wraps the curtain wall with 2,600 custom, perforated, metal fins, vertically articulating and lighting the building’s massing. An extensive 1.5 acre green roof softens views from neighboring buildings, protects the roof membrane, and enhances storm water retention and thermal performance. A benchmark project for NYC’s Active Design program, the garage has achieved LEED Gold certification.
Directly across Spring Street to the north, the Salt Shed’s crystalline, faceted planes enliven this highly visible structure, acting as a counterpoint to the diaphanous, scrim-like façade of the Garage. The cast-in-place concrete structure tapers toward the bottom—creating more pedestrian space—and rises from a glazed moat that is illuminated at night. Rising nearly 70 feet, the shed houses 5,000 tons of salt and creates an iconic landmark at this important intersection. Within the year of opening, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Salt Shed have become a source of neighborhood pride. The garage and salt shed were designed in association with WXY Architecture + Urban Design.
Dattner Architects is a proud partner and supporter of NYC DDC, an agency delivering high-quality public projects that contribute to a thriving and resilient city for all New Yorkers.
How does an Ivy League university plan and design pivotal campus facilities to meet current and future needs of its users in a rapidly changing educational landscape? What strategies are used to design a campus that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the local community?
On March 10, Dattner Architects’ Catherine Selby and Columbia University’s Denise Ferris will discuss many of these issues and more at The Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) North Atlantic Regional Conference in New Haven, CT.
Title: Inclusive & Pivotal: University Buildings Designed to Serve the Community
Date/Time: 3/10/2020 at 8:30-9:30am
Location: Omni New Haven at Yale, Temple
Conference attendees will learn how the partnership between Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), Dattner Architects, and Columbia University created the Forum – the gateway to Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus. This multipurpose facility features a state-of-the-art 437-seat auditorium to host academic conferences, meetings, and symposia. Additional meeting rooms, offices, and open gathering spaces provide generous shared meeting space. A highly visible and iconic component of the new campus, this academic conference center is designed to encourage thought-leaders and scholars from across the university and the world to come together to share ideas. The Forum’s ground floor flexible spaces establish an “Urban Layer,” further opening the facility spaces to the local community, establishing an important connection to both the neighborhood and city. Dattner Architects served as Executive Architect to RPBW.
SCUP unites the best of college, university, and professional planners. Creating a range of learning opportunities, from publications to SCUP conferences, SCUP offers its members a community to share perspectives, resources, best practices, and new ideas that move challenges to solutions.
How does an Ivy League university plan and design pivotal campus facilities to meet current and future needs of its users in a rapidly changing educational landscape? What strategies are used to design a campus that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the local community?
On March 10, Dattner Architects’ Catherine Selby and Columbia University’s Denise Ferris will discuss many of these issues and more at The Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) North Atlantic Regional Conference in New Haven, CT.
Title: Inclusive & Pivotal: University Buildings Designed to Serve the Community
Date/Time: 3/10/2020 at 8:30-9:30am
Location: Omni New Haven at Yale, Temple
Conference attendees will learn how the partnership between Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), Dattner Architects, and Columbia University created the Forum – the gateway to Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus. This multipurpose facility features a state-of-the-art 437-seat auditorium to host academic conferences, meetings, and symposia. Additional meeting rooms, offices, and open gathering spaces provide generous shared meeting space. A highly visible and iconic component of the new campus, this academic conference center is designed to encourage thought-leaders and scholars from across the university and the world to come together to share ideas. The Forum’s ground floor flexible spaces establish an “Urban Layer,” further opening the facility spaces to the local community, establishing an important connection to both the neighborhood and city. Dattner Architects served as Executive Architect to RPBW.
SCUP unites the best of college, university, and professional planners. Creating a range of learning opportunities, from publications to SCUP conferences, SCUP offers its members a community to share perspectives, resources, best practices, and new ideas that move challenges to solutions.
How does good design factor into the production of housing developments? What non-traditional forms of housing can be created to meet the nuanced needs of a community? What are the City’s housing goals, and can the City create interim milestones to help show progress?
Affordable housing is a critical focus for New York City and our firm, and we are engaged in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis in several ways: active participation on zoning and code committees; large scale rezoning efforts on behalf of our clients; and creating new neighborhoods.
On March 4, Dattner Architects’ Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich discussed these topics and more on the Combating the Affordable Housing Crisis panel at New York Build’s Residential and Future Construction Summit. Moderated by Frank Mahan (Associate Director – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), Rachel was joined by Ariel Aufgang (Principal – Aufgang Architects), Isaac-Daniel Astrachan (Principal – Stephen B. Jacobs Group), and Raquel Vazquez (Director of Housing Development – Joy Construction Corp).
New York Build Expo is the leading and largest free-to-attend construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. Held at the Javits Center, the expo brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, exhibits, workshops, and networking opportunities.
How does good design factor into the production of housing developments? What non-traditional forms of housing can be created to meet the nuanced needs of a community? What are the City’s housing goals, and can the City create interim milestones to help show progress?
Affordable housing is a critical focus for New York City and our firm, and we are engaged in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis in several ways: active participation on zoning and code committees; large scale rezoning efforts on behalf of our clients; and creating new neighborhoods.
On March 4, Dattner Architects’ Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich discussed these topics and more on the Combating the Affordable Housing Crisis panel at New York Build’s Residential and Future Construction Summit. Moderated by Frank Mahan (Associate Director – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), Rachel was joined by Ariel Aufgang (Principal – Aufgang Architects), Isaac-Daniel Astrachan (Principal – Stephen B. Jacobs Group), and Raquel Vazquez (Director of Housing Development – Joy Construction Corp).
New York Build Expo is the leading and largest free-to-attend construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. Held at the Javits Center, the expo brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, exhibits, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Dattner Architects’ Managing Principal Kirsten Sibilia is featured in Madame Architect, a dedicated platform that highlights and celebrates diverse and inspiring women in architecture. Interviewed by Madame Architect founder, Julia Gamolina, Kirsten recounts her career journey as a pioneering allied professional in the A/E/C industry.
“I learned then what a small industry we’re in, and how, by putting your best foot forward, having integrity, and being open to things, opportunities would come.”
Kirsten joined Dattner Architects in 2010 as Chief Marketing Officer with over 15 years of industry experience and was elevated to Principal in 2013. One of the first allied professionals to have ownership in an architectural firm in New York, Kirsten became Managing Principal in 2016. She is a vocal advocate for impactful design, diversity and equity in practice, and creating resilient and sustainable urban density. As a mentor and leader, she is focused on the firm’s continued health, growth, vitality, and culture.
Dattner Architects’ Managing Principal Kirsten Sibilia is featured in Madame Architect, a dedicated platform that highlights and celebrates diverse and inspiring women in architecture. Interviewed by Madame Architect founder, Julia Gamolina, Kirsten recounts her career journey as a pioneering allied professional in the A/E/C industry.
“I learned then what a small industry we’re in, and how, by putting your best foot forward, having integrity, and being open to things, opportunities would come.”
Kirsten joined Dattner Architects in 2010 as Chief Marketing Officer with over 15 years of industry experience and was elevated to Principal in 2013. One of the first allied professionals to have ownership in an architectural firm in New York, Kirsten became Managing Principal in 2016. She is a vocal advocate for impactful design, diversity and equity in practice, and creating resilient and sustainable urban density. As a mentor and leader, she is focused on the firm’s continued health, growth, vitality, and culture.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce our 2020 promotions. In recognition of his contributions to our firm and his evolving role in the practice, Eric Epstein has been elevated to Principal. Rachel Ehrlich is our new Associate Principal and Emily Kotsaftis has been named Senior Associate. Our new Associates are Earl Jones, Heather McKinstry, and Shefali Sanghvi. Mia Lee has been promoted to Studio Director. These promotions reflect individual dedication to our firm and a shared commitment to our mission to positively impact communities through the design of sustainable, civic architecture.
Clockwise From Left: Shefali Sanghvi, Eric Epstein, Earl Jones, Emily Kotsaftis, Rachel Ehrlich, Mia Lee (Not Pictured: Heather McKinstry, who is on maternity leave.)
PRINCIPAL
In Eric Epstein AIA, LEED AP's new role as Principal, he will lead projects in Dattner Architects' Educational and Institutional sectors. Seeking opportunities to bring people together and provide a sense of place through thoughtful, meaningful architecture guides Eric’s work across this broad set of program-driven building typologies.
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Passionate about building social equity and reinvesting in local communities, Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP BD+C joined Dattner Architects in 2007. She has dedicated her career to affordable housing with a specialty in supportive, senior, and special needs housing. She is a Studio Director for one of the firm’s housing studios.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
In the 19 years since joining Dattner Architects, Emily Kotsaftis AIA, LEED AP has focused her career in the design and construction of innovative transit stations and the integration of infrastructure into each community. As a consensus builder, she brings a high level of professionalism to each of her projects and builds strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
ASSOCIATES
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms as a BIM manager allows him to communicate and collaborate easily between designers to create and manage a cohesive, efficient workflow.
Heather McKinstry AIA, LEED AP, CPHC believes that sustainable architecture is a critical part of creating a more equitable world. As a Certified Passive House Consultant, she sees architecture’s most important role as providing occupants with healthy, sustainable spaces to live, work, learn, and play.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing, including new construction and renovations, senior housing, and supportive housing. She approaches each project with a passion for socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable design. Shefali also applies this dedication internally as a co-chair to the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
STUDIO DIRECTOR
With a diverse architectural background ranging from inspired interiors to comprehensive master planning, Mia Lee AIA joined Dattner Architects in 2010. She is dedicated to practicing architecture that results in spaces that positively impact people’s lives. As a Studio Director, Mia will work across projects to promote the exchange of design ideas, foster knowledge sharing, and promote the professional growth of our employees.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce our 2020 promotions. In recognition of his contributions to our firm and his evolving role in the practice, Eric Epstein has been elevated to Principal. Rachel Ehrlich is our new Associate Principal and Emily Kotsaftis has been named Senior Associate. Our new Associates are Earl Jones, Heather McKinstry, and Shefali Sanghvi. Mia Lee has been promoted to Studio Director. These promotions reflect individual dedication to our firm and a shared commitment to our mission to positively impact communities through the design of sustainable, civic architecture.
Clockwise From Left: Shefali Sanghvi, Eric Epstein, Earl Jones, Emily Kotsaftis, Rachel Ehrlich, Mia Lee (Not Pictured: Heather McKinstry, who is on maternity leave.)
PRINCIPAL
In Eric Epstein AIA, LEED AP's new role as Principal, he will lead projects in Dattner Architects' Educational and Institutional sectors. Seeking opportunities to bring people together and provide a sense of place through thoughtful, meaningful architecture guides Eric’s work across this broad set of program-driven building typologies.
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Passionate about building social equity and reinvesting in local communities, Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP BD+C joined Dattner Architects in 2007. She has dedicated her career to affordable housing with a specialty in supportive, senior, and special needs housing. She is a Studio Director for one of the firm’s housing studios.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
In the 19 years since joining Dattner Architects, Emily Kotsaftis AIA, LEED AP has focused her career in the design and construction of innovative transit stations and the integration of infrastructure into each community. As a consensus builder, she brings a high level of professionalism to each of her projects and builds strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
ASSOCIATES
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms as a BIM manager allows him to communicate and collaborate easily between designers to create and manage a cohesive, efficient workflow.
Heather McKinstry AIA, LEED AP, CPHC believes that sustainable architecture is a critical part of creating a more equitable world. As a Certified Passive House Consultant, she sees architecture’s most important role as providing occupants with healthy, sustainable spaces to live, work, learn, and play.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing, including new construction and renovations, senior housing, and supportive housing. She approaches each project with a passion for socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable design. Shefali also applies this dedication internally as a co-chair to the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
STUDIO DIRECTOR
With a diverse architectural background ranging from inspired interiors to comprehensive master planning, Mia Lee AIA joined Dattner Architects in 2010. She is dedicated to practicing architecture that results in spaces that positively impact people’s lives. As a Studio Director, Mia will work across projects to promote the exchange of design ideas, foster knowledge sharing, and promote the professional growth of our employees.
As this year comes to an end, we find ourselves reflecting on some of the highlights of 2019.
Rankings & Awards
Dattner Architects is proud to have been identified by Building Design + Construction (BD+C) as one of the country’s top architecture firms as well as a leader in the Multifamily Housing, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Office, Healthcare, Cultural, Government, and Industrial sectors. As part of BD+C’s Giants 300 Report, we were also recognized for our work in Green Buildings and Reconstruction.
The Real Deal (TRD) also named Dattner Architects one of New York City’s top overall architecture firms, including ranking fourth in Brooklyn and first in the Bronx, and the 10th most prolific firm in New York City over the past decade.
CURBED NY recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde, while SECRET NYC listed the Number 7 Subway Line Extension & 34 Street Hudson Yards Station as one of the 10 most beautiful subway stations in New York City. We are proud to have designed these unique, eye-catching structures that have helped define New York City’s built environment.
Serving as a welcoming and transparent gateway to Columbia University, the glass-enclosed Forum was recognized with a Merit Award at the AIANY Honors and Awards Luncheon. This new academic conference center provides much-needed education and civic engagement space as well as a shared resource for students, faculty, and the local community. The Forum, as part of Columbia University’s new Manhattanville Campus Phase 1, was also honored with ULI-NY’s Award for Excellence in Institutional Development.
ULI-NY also recognized the Goldin, as part of the Essex Crossing Phase 1 project, with an Award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development. Adding to the Goldin’s continued recognition are awards from AIA National and BSA. The first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development, the Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services.
Caesura received a Design Award of Honor in Multifamily Housing from the Society of American Registered Architects of New York. Located in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, Caesura is a dynamic new mixed-use building, anchoring a key corner of Lafayette Avenue and Ashland Place, across from the BAM Opera House, Theater for a New Audience, and Arts Plaza.
Groundbreakings & Ribbon Cuttings
We joined our clients and partnering community leaders for special events, including a groundbreaking at 50 Penn and a ribbon cutting at the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center. These special projects are giving much-needed affordable housing and sought-after Pre-K education to East New York and Coney Island, respectively.
OHNY Weekend
A longtime supporter of Open House New York (OHNY), we are a proud participant of the annual OHNY Weekend. We opened up our offices for an Open Studio tour, giving visitors behind-the-scenes access into our firm. Tours were also given at the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed – two of the City’s newest iconic structures.
Architecture + Fashion
Inspired by our shared sustainable ideologies and practices, Dattner Architects and Heron Preston joined forces for Preston’s SS20 collection. A creative director, content creator, influencer, and DJ, Preston is widely considered to be a youth-culture icon. The designer held his first formal Fashion Week presentation in 2016 at the Spring Street Salt Shed and he pays homage to the Salt Shed with this year’s runway opening tailored Tyvek suit.
These are some of the many highlights from a fruitful 2019. We are grateful to our clients and collaborators, and look forward to continuing to make our City and beyond a greener, safer, and more vibrant place to live.
As this year comes to an end, we find ourselves reflecting on some of the highlights of 2019.
Rankings & Awards
Dattner Architects is proud to have been identified by Building Design + Construction (BD+C) as one of the country’s top architecture firms as well as a leader in the Multifamily Housing, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Office, Healthcare, Cultural, Government, and Industrial sectors. As part of BD+C’s Giants 300 Report, we were also recognized for our work in Green Buildings and Reconstruction.
The Real Deal (TRD) also named Dattner Architects one of New York City’s top overall architecture firms, including ranking fourth in Brooklyn and first in the Bronx, and the 10th most prolific firm in New York City over the past decade.
CURBED NY recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde, while SECRET NYC listed the Number 7 Subway Line Extension & 34 Street Hudson Yards Station as one of the 10 most beautiful subway stations in New York City. We are proud to have designed these unique, eye-catching structures that have helped define New York City’s built environment.
Serving as a welcoming and transparent gateway to Columbia University, the glass-enclosed Forum was recognized with a Merit Award at the AIANY Honors and Awards Luncheon. This new academic conference center provides much-needed education and civic engagement space as well as a shared resource for students, faculty, and the local community. The Forum, as part of Columbia University’s new Manhattanville Campus Phase 1, was also honored with ULI-NY’s Award for Excellence in Institutional Development.
ULI-NY also recognized the Goldin, as part of the Essex Crossing Phase 1 project, with an Award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development. Adding to the Goldin’s continued recognition are awards from AIA National and BSA. The first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development, the Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services.
Caesura received a Design Award of Honor in Multifamily Housing from the Society of American Registered Architects of New York. Located in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, Caesura is a dynamic new mixed-use building, anchoring a key corner of Lafayette Avenue and Ashland Place, across from the BAM Opera House, Theater for a New Audience, and Arts Plaza.
Groundbreakings & Ribbon Cuttings
We joined our clients and partnering community leaders for special events, including a groundbreaking at 50 Penn and a ribbon cutting at the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center. These special projects are giving much-needed affordable housing and sought-after Pre-K education to East New York and Coney Island, respectively.
OHNY Weekend
A longtime supporter of Open House New York (OHNY), we are a proud participant of the annual OHNY Weekend. We opened up our offices for an Open Studio tour, giving visitors behind-the-scenes access into our firm. Tours were also given at the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed – two of the City’s newest iconic structures.
Architecture + Fashion
Inspired by our shared sustainable ideologies and practices, Dattner Architects and Heron Preston joined forces for Preston’s SS20 collection. A creative director, content creator, influencer, and DJ, Preston is widely considered to be a youth-culture icon. The designer held his first formal Fashion Week presentation in 2016 at the Spring Street Salt Shed and he pays homage to the Salt Shed with this year’s runway opening tailored Tyvek suit.
These are some of the many highlights from a fruitful 2019. We are grateful to our clients and collaborators, and look forward to continuing to make our City and beyond a greener, safer, and more vibrant place to live.
As we reflect on the past decade, we are filled with gratitude for each opportunity to design transformational, impactful projects. We are incredibly proud of the recognition our projects have earned in the press, from our peers, and through design awards, and—most importantly—by those who live in, work in, learn in, and travel through our projects every day.
The ten projects from the past decade featured as representative of the breadth of our portfolio are (top to bottom, left to right): Battery Park City School PS/IS 276; Spring Street Salt Shed; Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden & Exploration Center; Revitalizing the Urban Extents; Hub; East New York Health Hub; PS 186 / Boys & Girls Club of Harlem; Number 7 Subway Line Extension; Via Verde; Princeton University Tennis Pavilion.
Thank you to our clients, consultants, colleagues, contractors, and friends for your trust and collaboration.
We wish each of you a happy and healthy new year!
As we reflect on the past decade, we are filled with gratitude for each opportunity to design transformational, impactful projects. We are incredibly proud of the recognition our projects have earned in the press, from our peers, and through design awards, and—most importantly—by those who live in, work in, learn in, and travel through our projects every day.
The ten projects from the past decade featured as representative of the breadth of our portfolio are (top to bottom, left to right): Battery Park City School PS/IS 276; Spring Street Salt Shed; Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden & Exploration Center; Revitalizing the Urban Extents; Hub; East New York Health Hub; PS 186 / Boys & Girls Club of Harlem; Number 7 Subway Line Extension; Via Verde; Princeton University Tennis Pavilion.
Thank you to our clients, consultants, colleagues, contractors, and friends for your trust and collaboration.
We wish each of you a happy and healthy new year!
Dattner Architects has been selected to design Kingsbrook Estates in Central Brooklyn, transforming the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus into a new 266-unit affordable housing development. As part of Governor Cuomo’s Vital Brooklyn initiative, which promises to create 4,000 units of affordable housing in Central Brooklyn, Kingsbrook Estates will offer affordable housing and a wide array of health, wellness, employment, and support services for residents and the community at-large.
"The transformation of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus is the latest step forward in our effort to revitalize Central Brooklyn with a $578 million investment in affordable housing. The new Kingsbrook Estates will be an outstanding development that delivers top-quality affordable housing and much needed health and social services to residents of Central Brooklyn." – Governor Cuomo
The three-building development will give residents access to health and wellness classes, vocational training, physical activity programs, and integrated care. Amenities include a community garden, outdoor exercise equipment, walkways, children’s play areas, outdoor kitchens, an indoor teaching kitchen, community spaces, laundry rooms, and bike storage. A nurse’s station will provide on-site services and counseling space. One Brooklyn Health System and Kingsbrook Estates will also provide all-inclusive care for the elderly in the development’s 7,000 square foot PACE Center.
Kingsbrook Estates is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR requirements, and includes solar photovoltaic panels and green roof systems.
Clients for Kingsbrook Estates include Monadnock Development, CB-Emmanuel Realty, and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services. They were recently awarded the project through New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
"Monadnock is thrilled to be awarded Vital Brooklyn Sites E,F,G & H, Kingsbrook Estates, and we look forward to working with NYS HCR and the entire One Brooklyn Health System leadership to develop high quality, affordable housing in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. We want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas for their leadership and ongoing commitment to housing the most vulnerable New Yorkers." – Nicholas Lembo, Chairman of Monadnock Development
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Kingsbrook Estates team and we look forward to giving the residents of Central Brooklyn a safe, healthy, and affordable space to live and thrive.
“As a 20-year resident of the East Flatbush community, I am pleased that the Cuomo Administration is making this investment. As an architect in the community, my firm and I are excited to help transform the Kingsbrook campus to include much needed affordable, inter-generational, and supportive housing. Our site plan is a combination of adaptive re-use and contextual design that will integrate with and enhance the community.” – John Woelfling, Principal at Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects has been selected to design Kingsbrook Estates in Central Brooklyn, transforming the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus into a new 266-unit affordable housing development. As part of Governor Cuomo’s Vital Brooklyn initiative, which promises to create 4,000 units of affordable housing in Central Brooklyn, Kingsbrook Estates will offer affordable housing and a wide array of health, wellness, employment, and support services for residents and the community at-large.
"The transformation of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus is the latest step forward in our effort to revitalize Central Brooklyn with a $578 million investment in affordable housing. The new Kingsbrook Estates will be an outstanding development that delivers top-quality affordable housing and much needed health and social services to residents of Central Brooklyn." – Governor Cuomo
The three-building development will give residents access to health and wellness classes, vocational training, physical activity programs, and integrated care. Amenities include a community garden, outdoor exercise equipment, walkways, children’s play areas, outdoor kitchens, an indoor teaching kitchen, community spaces, laundry rooms, and bike storage. A nurse’s station will provide on-site services and counseling space. One Brooklyn Health System and Kingsbrook Estates will also provide all-inclusive care for the elderly in the development’s 7,000 square foot PACE Center.
Kingsbrook Estates is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR requirements, and includes solar photovoltaic panels and green roof systems.
Clients for Kingsbrook Estates include Monadnock Development, CB-Emmanuel Realty, and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services. They were recently awarded the project through New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
"Monadnock is thrilled to be awarded Vital Brooklyn Sites E,F,G & H, Kingsbrook Estates, and we look forward to working with NYS HCR and the entire One Brooklyn Health System leadership to develop high quality, affordable housing in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. We want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas for their leadership and ongoing commitment to housing the most vulnerable New Yorkers." – Nicholas Lembo, Chairman of Monadnock Development
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Kingsbrook Estates team and we look forward to giving the residents of Central Brooklyn a safe, healthy, and affordable space to live and thrive.
“As a 20-year resident of the East Flatbush community, I am pleased that the Cuomo Administration is making this investment. As an architect in the community, my firm and I are excited to help transform the Kingsbrook campus to include much needed affordable, inter-generational, and supportive housing. Our site plan is a combination of adaptive re-use and contextual design that will integrate with and enhance the community.” – John Woelfling, Principal at Dattner Architects
CURBED NY has recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde!
The Salt Shed was recognized for its unique and rare eye-catching design for a civic building, while Via Verde “proved that designers and developers do not need to sacrifice form for function when building affordable housing."
Dattner Architects is proud to have designed these inspired and highly functional buildings that have helped define New York City’s built environment. We look forward to the next 10 years and beyond in this fine city! Many thanks to our clients, collaborators, and team of consultants.
CURBED NY has recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde!
The Salt Shed was recognized for its unique and rare eye-catching design for a civic building, while Via Verde “proved that designers and developers do not need to sacrifice form for function when building affordable housing."
Dattner Architects is proud to have designed these inspired and highly functional buildings that have helped define New York City’s built environment. We look forward to the next 10 years and beyond in this fine city! Many thanks to our clients, collaborators, and team of consultants.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that The Goldin at Essex Crossing has recently won two prestigious awards: AIA Design for Aging Review Award and BSA Housing Design Award.
In 1967, Seward Park Area tenants were relocated from their homes to make way for a massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition and the site remained vacant. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side (LES) was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Sited at 175 Delancey Street, the Goldin is the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services. The 15-story mixed-use building comprises 96,200 square feet of residential space with 100 senior housing units, atop a four-story podium with ground floor retail, a large ambulatory care center, a café that supports job training, and community facilities operated by two venerable area nonprofit organizations.
The project transforms the perception of affordable senior housing with a distinctive contemporary design using a striking brick expression. The Goldin is designed to convey a warm, vibrant, and welcoming residential setting that is vital to affordable senior housing. The well-proportioned one-bedroom apartments are bright with high quality, modern, elegant finishes. The design enables residents to live independently, while being a part of a community with supportive resources. The Goldin provides a variety of senior-oriented cultural, social, and medical programs to support independent living and enhance the quality of life. These programs also serve the wider neighborhood, ensuring a variety of services and amenities not possible in a more conventionally programmed project. Two park-like rooftop gardens provide recreational space and a connection with nature in a dense urban environment.
In addition to the building and residences, the architectural team designed the mixed-use programming at the base of the building, including fit-outs for the NYU Langone Medical Center and nonprofit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement (GSS) Community Center, Lower East Side Partnership BID offices, Henry Street Settlement Workforce Development Center, Little Stars of Broome Street Early Childcare Center operated by the Chinese American Planning Council, and The Grand Lo cafe on the ground level, open to the community, is part of a culinary training program offered by GSS. The Joan H. & Preston Robert Tisch Center is a state-of-the art facility encompassing a Physical Therapy practice, an Ambulatory Surgery Center, and two family/primary care practices. The base also houses a neighborhood bicycle shop and property management offices for the overall Essex Crossing development. To ensure a collaborative process from the start of design through construction, the design team served as an intermediary between NYU Langone, Grand Street Settlement, Henry Street Settlement and Delancey Street Associates, the project developers.
The AIA Design for Aging Review showcases facilities and projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to improving environments and quality of life for seniors. Winning a Merit Award, the Goldin was commended by the jury for being an excellent example of urban living – one that “embraces the cultural diversity and exceeds sustainable requirements.”
The BSA Housing Design Award recognizes design excellence in housing of all types and scales. The hierarchy of the projects awarded this year, and the jury comments, will be revealed at the annual Design Awards Gala on January 23, 2020 in Boston.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that The Goldin at Essex Crossing has recently won two prestigious awards: AIA Design for Aging Review Award and BSA Housing Design Award.
In 1967, Seward Park Area tenants were relocated from their homes to make way for a massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition and the site remained vacant. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side (LES) was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Sited at 175 Delancey Street, the Goldin is the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services. The 15-story mixed-use building comprises 96,200 square feet of residential space with 100 senior housing units, atop a four-story podium with ground floor retail, a large ambulatory care center, a café that supports job training, and community facilities operated by two venerable area nonprofit organizations.
The project transforms the perception of affordable senior housing with a distinctive contemporary design using a striking brick expression. The Goldin is designed to convey a warm, vibrant, and welcoming residential setting that is vital to affordable senior housing. The well-proportioned one-bedroom apartments are bright with high quality, modern, elegant finishes. The design enables residents to live independently, while being a part of a community with supportive resources. The Goldin provides a variety of senior-oriented cultural, social, and medical programs to support independent living and enhance the quality of life. These programs also serve the wider neighborhood, ensuring a variety of services and amenities not possible in a more conventionally programmed project. Two park-like rooftop gardens provide recreational space and a connection with nature in a dense urban environment.
In addition to the building and residences, the architectural team designed the mixed-use programming at the base of the building, including fit-outs for the NYU Langone Medical Center and nonprofit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement (GSS) Community Center, Lower East Side Partnership BID offices, Henry Street Settlement Workforce Development Center, Little Stars of Broome Street Early Childcare Center operated by the Chinese American Planning Council, and The Grand Lo cafe on the ground level, open to the community, is part of a culinary training program offered by GSS. The Joan H. & Preston Robert Tisch Center is a state-of-the art facility encompassing a Physical Therapy practice, an Ambulatory Surgery Center, and two family/primary care practices. The base also houses a neighborhood bicycle shop and property management offices for the overall Essex Crossing development. To ensure a collaborative process from the start of design through construction, the design team served as an intermediary between NYU Langone, Grand Street Settlement, Henry Street Settlement and Delancey Street Associates, the project developers.
The AIA Design for Aging Review showcases facilities and projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to improving environments and quality of life for seniors. Winning a Merit Award, the Goldin was commended by the jury for being an excellent example of urban living – one that “embraces the cultural diversity and exceeds sustainable requirements.”
The BSA Housing Design Award recognizes design excellence in housing of all types and scales. The hierarchy of the projects awarded this year, and the jury comments, will be revealed at the annual Design Awards Gala on January 23, 2020 in Boston.
On Friday, November 8th, Dattner Architects joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center.
Located in the heart of Coney Island, this new Head Start Center provides sought-after Pre-K education for 65 local children between the ages of 2-5 years old. The building fosters the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschoolers in a safe environment, guided by the philosophy of the Montessori approach to early childhood education. Indoor/outdoor learning and play spaces are clustered by age. The three-story, 17,000 square foot steel-reinforced building also features a kitchen, multi-purpose room, various administrative and utility spaces, five classrooms, and office areas. Through large classroom windows and circulation spaces, the Center promotes community visibility, civic awareness, and connectivity
Elevated above the flood plain, resiliency, sustainability, and active design inform the design of the building with bermed entrances, stepped roofs, brise soleil, and large open windows. Stepped roofs allow for outdoor gardens, learning spaces, and play areas.
The warm yellow and light gray façade portion of the building is a fiber-cement board rainscreen using integral-colored panels fastened to an aluminum subgirt system. The panels, as well as the subgirt elements and fasteners, are extremely durable and are unaffected by water. The gaps between the panels allow the air pressure within the wall cavity to be equalized with that of the pressure on the exterior of the building, thereby allowing water and vapor to freely drain and evaporate.
The design pays homage to its location. The warm yellow tones and long staggered panels of the cantilevered volume are a reference to the iconic Coney Island boardwalk. The panels extend along the soffit of the volume (over the entrance steps) and continue through as the ceiling of the lobby, creating the feeling of being under the boardwalk. The dark gray façade is also a fiber-cement board system, but it is detailed in a horizontal lapping pattern. This references the small-scaled wood lap siding homes commonly found in Coney Island.
Funded through FEMA, this new facility serves the community in two important ways. It is a critical provider of Pre-K education for the neighborhood and will offer safe harbor to the community in the event of a major tropical storm.
“This project realizes a vision for a new early childhood development center that provides a safe space for children to learn, play, and grow. Dattner Architects is proud to be part of the Catholic Charities team in building a facility that helps to revitalize a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Sandy.” – Jeffrey Dugan, Principal at Dattner Architects
On Friday, November 8th, Dattner Architects joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center.
Located in the heart of Coney Island, this new Head Start Center provides sought-after Pre-K education for 65 local children between the ages of 2-5 years old. The building fosters the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschoolers in a safe environment, guided by the philosophy of the Montessori approach to early childhood education. Indoor/outdoor learning and play spaces are clustered by age. The three-story, 17,000 square foot steel-reinforced building also features a kitchen, multi-purpose room, various administrative and utility spaces, five classrooms, and office areas. Through large classroom windows and circulation spaces, the Center promotes community visibility, civic awareness, and connectivity
Elevated above the flood plain, resiliency, sustainability, and active design inform the design of the building with bermed entrances, stepped roofs, brise soleil, and large open windows. Stepped roofs allow for outdoor gardens, learning spaces, and play areas.
The warm yellow and light gray façade portion of the building is a fiber-cement board rainscreen using integral-colored panels fastened to an aluminum subgirt system. The panels, as well as the subgirt elements and fasteners, are extremely durable and are unaffected by water. The gaps between the panels allow the air pressure within the wall cavity to be equalized with that of the pressure on the exterior of the building, thereby allowing water and vapor to freely drain and evaporate.
The design pays homage to its location. The warm yellow tones and long staggered panels of the cantilevered volume are a reference to the iconic Coney Island boardwalk. The panels extend along the soffit of the volume (over the entrance steps) and continue through as the ceiling of the lobby, creating the feeling of being under the boardwalk. The dark gray façade is also a fiber-cement board system, but it is detailed in a horizontal lapping pattern. This references the small-scaled wood lap siding homes commonly found in Coney Island.
Funded through FEMA, this new facility serves the community in two important ways. It is a critical provider of Pre-K education for the neighborhood and will offer safe harbor to the community in the event of a major tropical storm.
“This project realizes a vision for a new early childhood development center that provides a safe space for children to learn, play, and grow. Dattner Architects is proud to be part of the Catholic Charities team in building a facility that helps to revitalize a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Sandy.” – Jeffrey Dugan, Principal at Dattner Architects
On November 20, Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling will be discussing “Multifamily Passive House – Different Systems and Designs” at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. He will be joined on the panel by Mark Ginsberg (Partner, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects) and Dylan Martello (Senior Building Systems Consultant, Steven Winter Associates). Collectively, John, Mark, and Dylan have designed more than 25 multifamily Passive House projects. Greenbuild attendees will gain a better understanding of the design, construction, and operations issues faced in multifamily Passive House buildings as well as the alternate systems used to meet Passive House standards.
Greenbuild is the largest annual event for green building professionals to learn and source the latest cutting-edge solutions to improve sustainability and quality of life in buildings and communities. Held from November 19-22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, this year’s conference includes a keynote speech from former President Barack Obama.
On November 20, Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling will be discussing “Multifamily Passive House – Different Systems and Designs” at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. He will be joined on the panel by Mark Ginsberg (Partner, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects) and Dylan Martello (Senior Building Systems Consultant, Steven Winter Associates). Collectively, John, Mark, and Dylan have designed more than 25 multifamily Passive House projects. Greenbuild attendees will gain a better understanding of the design, construction, and operations issues faced in multifamily Passive House buildings as well as the alternate systems used to meet Passive House standards.
Greenbuild is the largest annual event for green building professionals to learn and source the latest cutting-edge solutions to improve sustainability and quality of life in buildings and communities. Held from November 19-22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, this year’s conference includes a keynote speech from former President Barack Obama.
Every October, Open House New York (OHNY) provides unprecedented access to more than 250 buildings and projects across New York City. As part of that effort, Dattner Architects was excited to share a glimpse into two of our award-winning projects as well as a behind-the-scenes look into our firm for OHNY’s annual OHNY Weekend.
Open Studio at Dattner Architects
On Saturday, October 19, we opened our doors for an Open Studio tour of our office – illustrating how we approach civic architecture.
Along our studio pin-up wall, we showcased select works-in-progress across our four studios, including 425 Grand Concourse, 2840 Atlantic, 116th Precinct Station House, Brooklyn District 3 Garage, and CUNY Bronx Express. Pin-up space was also dedicated to showcasing our firm culture, industry involvement, and commitment to professional development.
As a mission-driven firm, focused on enriching civic space and the urban experience, Dattner Architects has completed hundreds of projects across the city, some large, others small – all a part of our ever-expanding portfolio. To celebrate this commitment to transforming environments and strengthening communities, we ran an internal photo contest titled: OUR CITY. OUR PROJECTS.
With 54 years of projects to choose from, Dattner Architects staff were tasked with taking photos of one of our completed projects. It could be a detail, an interior, or exterior. The only requirements were that it was a photo they personally took, that it was one of our NYC-based projects, and that the project was built/completed. All photo entries were then curated into an exhibition along the pin-up wall.
We invited John Hill – architect, author, and friend of the firm – to judge the contest. At an awards reception held at our office on Wednesday, October 16, John spoke about the winning photos as well as his general observations on NYC architecture. First, second, and third place prizes were awarded with winners receiving a signed copy of John’s recent book, NYC Walks: Guide to New Architecture, as well as gift cards to local restaurants and businesses.
OHNY visitors were invited to bring their own photos of one of our completed NYC projects on the day of our Open Studio. Those that participated pinned up their photos alongside the featured exhibition and received a Dattner Architects’ tote bag as a gift. Staff and visitors were encouraged to take a selfie at our photo booth as a keepsake and token of our gratitude.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed Tours
On Sunday, October 20, we were joined by NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) Assistant Chief Keith Mellis for tours of the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed. Two of the City’s newest iconic structures, these critical infrastructure facilities have been embraced by the West Village community. OHNY visitors were given a behind-the-scenes look at how the City’s waste stream is managed and heard from Dattner Architects and WXY team members on the design process and value of these important community facilities.
Every October, Open House New York (OHNY) provides unprecedented access to more than 250 buildings and projects across New York City. As part of that effort, Dattner Architects was excited to share a glimpse into two of our award-winning projects as well as a behind-the-scenes look into our firm for OHNY’s annual OHNY Weekend.
Open Studio at Dattner Architects
On Saturday, October 19, we opened our doors for an Open Studio tour of our office – illustrating how we approach civic architecture.
Along our studio pin-up wall, we showcased select works-in-progress across our four studios, including 425 Grand Concourse, 2840 Atlantic, 116th Precinct Station House, Brooklyn District 3 Garage, and CUNY Bronx Express. Pin-up space was also dedicated to showcasing our firm culture, industry involvement, and commitment to professional development.
As a mission-driven firm, focused on enriching civic space and the urban experience, Dattner Architects has completed hundreds of projects across the city, some large, others small – all a part of our ever-expanding portfolio. To celebrate this commitment to transforming environments and strengthening communities, we ran an internal photo contest titled: OUR CITY. OUR PROJECTS.
With 54 years of projects to choose from, Dattner Architects staff were tasked with taking photos of one of our completed projects. It could be a detail, an interior, or exterior. The only requirements were that it was a photo they personally took, that it was one of our NYC-based projects, and that the project was built/completed. All photo entries were then curated into an exhibition along the pin-up wall.
We invited John Hill – architect, author, and friend of the firm – to judge the contest. At an awards reception held at our office on Wednesday, October 16, John spoke about the winning photos as well as his general observations on NYC architecture. First, second, and third place prizes were awarded with winners receiving a signed copy of John’s recent book, NYC Walks: Guide to New Architecture, as well as gift cards to local restaurants and businesses.
OHNY visitors were invited to bring their own photos of one of our completed NYC projects on the day of our Open Studio. Those that participated pinned up their photos alongside the featured exhibition and received a Dattner Architects’ tote bag as a gift. Staff and visitors were encouraged to take a selfie at our photo booth as a keepsake and token of our gratitude.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed Tours
On Sunday, October 20, we were joined by NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) Assistant Chief Keith Mellis for tours of the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed. Two of the City’s newest iconic structures, these critical infrastructure facilities have been embraced by the West Village community. OHNY visitors were given a behind-the-scenes look at how the City’s waste stream is managed and heard from Dattner Architects and WXY team members on the design process and value of these important community facilities.
On October 1, Dattner Architects joined Pennrose LLC, RiseBoro Community Partners, New York City Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYCHPD), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal Jr., and Red Stone Equity Partners to break ground on a new mixed-use residential development in East New York, Brooklyn.
Located within the recently rezoned Cypress Hills area of East New York, 50 Penn will provide 100% affordable housing, meeting the requirements of the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program. Following the NYC Zoning Resolution’s FRESH program, the development will maximize the residential floor area to offer 218 rental apartments – 42 of which will be dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households – and a health-foods grocery store at the ground floor.
The site for this nine-story multifamily building sits adjacent to the elevated J/Z Subway (to the north of the site) and the below-grade A/C Subway. A former industrial site, it was remediated through the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The sustainable project includes green roofs, rooftop photovoltaic panels, a highly insulated exterior wall system for energy efficiency, and landscaped outdoor space for the residents’ health and well-being.
On October 1, Dattner Architects joined Pennrose LLC, RiseBoro Community Partners, New York City Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYCHPD), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal Jr., and Red Stone Equity Partners to break ground on a new mixed-use residential development in East New York, Brooklyn.
Located within the recently rezoned Cypress Hills area of East New York, 50 Penn will provide 100% affordable housing, meeting the requirements of the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program. Following the NYC Zoning Resolution’s FRESH program, the development will maximize the residential floor area to offer 218 rental apartments – 42 of which will be dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households – and a health-foods grocery store at the ground floor.
The site for this nine-story multifamily building sits adjacent to the elevated J/Z Subway (to the north of the site) and the below-grade A/C Subway. A former industrial site, it was remediated through the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The sustainable project includes green roofs, rooftop photovoltaic panels, a highly insulated exterior wall system for energy efficiency, and landscaped outdoor space for the residents’ health and well-being.
Dattner Architects is a proud recipient of two Marketing Communications Awards in the Website and Video categories at SMPS NY’s 2021 Liberty Awards.
WWW.DATTNER.COM
Dattner Architects launched its new website in July 2020, designed by For Office Use Only (FOUO). With a growing staff of design professionals along with an increasingly diverse regional and typological project portfolio, Dattner engaged FOUO to help communicate Dattner's ethos and architectural impact on the NYC built environment. The creation of a new website reflects current and future organizational needs of the firm, while recognizing the impact of our civic projects through over 50 years of architectural practice.
"Our new website is truly a reflection of Dattner's current design practice, our legacy of civic work, and our ethos of creating impactful community-focused spaces in NYC and beyond. We are incredibly thankful to our collaborators, For Office Use Only, for helping to create a site that allows us to add depth to the stories of our people, projects, and practice as well as our aspirations for providing creative architectural solutions that help to enhance the urban built environment." — Martin Tolentino, Marketing Director
Marine Transfer Station Video
Working with the Department of Sanitation, Dattner Architects developed three virtual tours for the Open House New York Virtual Events amidst social distancing guidelines. These tours told a holistic story of the building process, state-of-the-art mechanical systems that allow such a large sanitation facility to be located in a dense residential neighborhood, and the stories of the staff that operate the building systems on a day to day. The SMPS Liberty Award winning video highlights NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station — the transfer point for household waste from Manhattan residents. The video provides vignettes of the waste processing stream — highlighting how waste is loaded into containers and placed on barges to be offloaded onto a rail service for a facility that processes an average of 550 tons per day.
“The new East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station is the result of tackling the complex questions of program, scale, community engagement, and equity. This entertaining and informative video captures DSNY's innovative process of containerizing Manhattan's trash, as well as the experience of local residents living and recreating in and around the riverfront architecture. We are proud to work with the friendly and enthusiastic people at DSNY to provide NYC with this facility befitting of their essential services.” — Stephen Hoang, Project Architect
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the recipient of a 2021 AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
The result of a public-private partnership, the Riverside School for Makers and Artists is the first new public school constructed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in decades. Located in the base of a 43-story tower in the mixed-use Riverside Center development, this Pre-K through 8th grade facility serves 692 students with tailored facilities to support a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educational program.
"21st century cities will be denser but greener, more crowded, but also more livable. Urban school design will be part of that transformation. Vertically organized, sharing increasingly valuable sites with non-school uses and populations, using roof tops for teaching and recreation rather than equipment. They will be part of a new integrated urban fabric rather than freestanding landmarks. The Riverside School is a look at the possibilities.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA is also the recipient of the 2021 AIA New York State Henry Hobson Richardson Award, which recognizes New York State-licensed AIA members practicing in the private sector who have made a significant contribution to the quality of New York State public architecture.
An advocate for socially conscious and sustainable architecture, Bill’s record of distinguished public projects and professional leadership exemplifies a commitment to design excellence and responsiveness to communities. From Via Verde, a model for affordable, sustainable urban living, to the Bronx Library Center, a leader in energy-efficient, sustainable library design, his body of work is versatile, spanning different typologies and complexities — leaving a lasting impact on the public realm.
“I am thrilled to receive the Henry Hobson Richardson Award from the AIA New York State. This award, in the name of one of America’s greatest architects, highlights the importance of public architecture. It is truly an honor to be its recipient. I’d like to thank my partners and colleagues at Dattner Architects and colleagues throughout the profession for their support of my career and their commitment to architecture in the public interest.” — Senior Consulting Principal William Stein FAIA
“A commonality unites Ruth Ro’s undertakings as associate principal at Dattner Architects: a consistent push for increased diversity and inclusion.” — Crain’s New York Business
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Associate Principal Ruth Ro has been named to the 2021 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives list by Crain’s New York Business. This list celebrates 58 LGBTQ professionals in New York City who are making a major impact through their “career accomplishments, their mentorship of others, and their involvement in community and industry organizations.”
"One of the most important moves we can make as members of an underrepresented or marginalized group is to be visible. In a leadership role, I have a responsibility to represent, to empower, and to fight for change with every opportunity I get." — Ruth Ro
Over the years, Ruth has spearheaded a number of LGBTQ initiatives at Dattner Architects and has participated in several panels discussing the importance in facilitating an inclusive and understanding workplace in the AEC industry. In 2020, Ruth founded the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion group at Dattner Architects — tackling intersectional issues that affect minority employees in the workplace. Her leadership and advocacy have led her to be an active voice in the AIA New York Diversity and Inclusion committee. In addition, Ruth was named a Board Member at Build Out Alliance, a leading non-profit whose mission is to promote and advocate for inclusion of LGBTQ community within the building, design, and construction industries.
"During this difficult year that has exposed the persistent racial inequities that affect our industry and society at large, Ruth has exemplified fearless leadership and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion within our practice, industry, and beyond. It has been inspiring to work with Ruth in tackling issues that not only affect the LGBTQ+ community, but also the diverse intersectional issues we face in our industry and in our day to day lives." — Martin Tolentino, Dattner Architects’ Marketing Director
“As the project manager for challenging and complex buildings, Ruth gives her team members the room to expand their professional experiences and capabilities. She provides a supportive, mentorship-focused structure to facilitate individual, as well as team success. All project team members are given ownership over components of a project’s design and are empowered to present them to clients and other project stakeholders. This confident leadership style enables junior team members to become more skilled design advocates and public presenters. Her approach to her work and team leadership includes an enthusiasm that inspires colleagues and clients. She is a true leader in every sense of the word.” — John Woelfling, Dattner Architects’ Principal
Congratulations to all those being honored this year by Crain's. See the full list here.
On May 25, Dattner Architects held a live virtual Datt-A-Thon fundraising event in support of Heart of Dinner, a nonprofit organization that works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American elderly in New York City. The emceed event featured a live “exquisite building” drawing collaboration (a la exquisite corpse), a silent auction, poetry readings, and more.
In addition to the virtual Datt-A-Thon event, we also ran a marathon over the Memorial Day weekend. Led by Project Architects Brandon Wang and Wei Wang, the route went through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan—stopping at several Dattner-designed buildings along the way. Brandon and Wei were joined on the run by Principal John Woelfling and Project Architect Pascale Baladi. Orange sweat bands, wrist bands, compression socks, and tutus were worn in recognition of major fundraising milestones hit during the Datt-A-Thon event.
All proceeds from the silent auction and GoFundMe donations went directly to Heart of Dinner. Proceeds from the event helped to raise $4,391—more than doubling our original goal of $2,000.
Many thanks to everyone who supported and donated to our effort!
Set to open in 2022, Vital Brookdale topped out on May 3rd. This new mixed-use residential development will create 160 affordable housing units and approximately 25,000 square feet of health-focused community space in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The project is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. Offering a holistic approach, the program focuses on eight integrated areas of improvement: open space and recreation; healthy food; education; economic empowerment; community-based violence prevention; community-based health care; affordable housing; and resiliency.
“Working on Vital Brookdale from design and into the first year of construction has been rewarding—just as one would expect an affordable passive house project would be. The developer and contractor’s commitment to building this project to meet PHIUS 2015+ certification standards has been critical to getting us to this point, especially through this pandemic. Being able to see one of the last pieces of plank being dropped into place was a momentous way to mark this milestone.” — Dattner Architects’ Associate Shefali Sanghvi
Comprised of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, 133 of the apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30- 60% of area median income (AMI) and 26 households earning 80% AMI. Alongside deeply affordable units, Vital Brookdale provides resources that promote health and wellness, job training, outdoor green space, and opportunities for recreation, that will support residents and the larger Brownsville community.
Tenants will have access to a second-floor terrace, and front and rear-courtyards, which will include landscaping, a dog run, play area as well as active and passive recreation and seating areas. Additional amenities will include complimentary building-wide wireless-internet access, a multipurpose community room, game room, library/resident co-working space, fitness room, laundry room, cold-storage locker and package rooms, and a bike storage room.
The development will pursue Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) + 2015 certification, an North American standard of building for maximized energy efficiency, for the residential component. The project will have a 100kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, high performance mechanical systems, insulation and windows, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and several other energy efficient measures to ensure the comfort and affordability for residents as well as sustainability of the building.
“The Vital Brookdale project is the result of an incredible collaborative effort led by a dedicated client that includes multiple design specialists and is a real partnership with the contractor. This type of approach is necessary to achieve a successful passive house project that will reduce the building’s energy consumption by over 60%. We are proud to be part of the team that is delivering 160 apartments that will be affordable, welcoming, healthy, and tread lightly on the planet.” — Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling
The Vital Brookdale project team comprises MDG Design + Construction, Smith & Henzy Advisory Group, The New York Foundling, Monadnock Construction, Dattner Architects, Skyline Engineering, DeNardis Engineering, Starr Whitehouse, and Bright Power.
Community and professional engagement is a critical component of daily life at Dattner Architects. Our collaborative team approach nurtures learning and professional growth through exposure not only to new project opportunities, but also to professional industry organizations and local community groups. We believe that active engagement in professional organizations empowers our staff to have agency over decisions that affect both their personal and professional lives, and leads to a more robust, well-rounded, and meaningful career.
Here are some highlights from the past quarter:
Keith Engel, Senior Associate & Studio Director
Keith Engel was appointed by the Queens Borough President to a Board member position on Queens Community Board 6, which encompasses the Forest Hills and Rego Park neighborhoods of Queens. His term began on April 1st and will run for two years. The Community Board is the official municipal body whose primary mission is to advise elected officials and government agencies on matters affecting the social welfare of their district, which include broad matters such as land use, housing, education, and transportation.
“As someone who has dedicated my career to practicing socially responsible design, I’ve worked extensively with various non-profits to develop affordable, supportive, and homeless housing for those New Yorkers who need it the most. Such endeavors often involve presentations to Community Board’s across the five boroughs, and it was during these conversations with Community Boards that I became concerned that – as an Architect – my ability to directly affect positive change within a community is limited. I am excited to begin my term as a Community Board member so I can be an active participant in the conversation, and to offer my professional expertise to the dialogue about the important issues affecting the community—of affordable housing, of homelessness, of climate change, and of social justice.”
— Keith Engel
Aimee Hultquist, Project Architect
Aimee Hultquist is participating in the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)’s Emerging Leaders Program, which is a selective professional development opportunity for women 5-10 years out of school. In small group format, participants engage with significant senior women in architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, law, and financial services to advance their own career goals.
“The fellowship theme this year is Perseverance, Politics, and Power – it's a great opportunity to interface with significant senior women in architecture about these topics and to share our experiences as young women building our careers in the A/E industry. The group is a mix of architects and engineers bringing their perspectives to discussions, which is different and exciting—I'm looking forward to being a part of it!”
— Aimee Hultquist
Ruth Ro, Associate Principal
Ruth Ro was selected as a Build Out Alliance board member. Build Out Alliance’s mission is to promote and advocate for the LGBTQ community within the building design and construction industry—where members can serve openly and with pride across all roles and sectors of the industry.
“When I am out and visible in the workplace, I’m able to open minds, break down preconceptions, and create a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. I have benefitted from brave trailblazers ahead of me and I have a responsibility to leave a wider path behind me. Through Build Out, we can continue to find strength in numbers, be more visible, and create a more inclusive industry.”
— Ruth Ro
Brandon Wang, Project Architect
Brandon Wang is an Architectural League mentor. The Architectural League's mentorship program fosters student-mentor relationships between practicing architects and designers in New York and architecture students from City Tech, CCNY, and Kean University. The program also aims to increase awareness of professional opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and give mentoring architects a chance to share expertise and realistic career expectations. Through virtual check-ins, the relationships become a space for guidance and learning for students entering the practice.
“Though we have only met virtually, my mentee and I have discussed resumes, what an internship is like, his school studio work, and many other things in between. I am grateful I can share my own experience and help shape his successful entry into his architecture career."
— Brandon Wang
Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal
Kirsten Sibilia is serving the Nominating Committee for the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. The committee is elected each year to select candidates for the AIA New York Board and the Fellows, Finance, Honors, Oculus, and Design Awards Committees.
“It has been enriching collaborating with my fellow committee members to help create a diverse, thoughtful, and talented slate of leaders for the Chapter, professionals that share our commitment to the AIA, our belief in New York City, and our support of equitable practice models.”
— Kirsten Sibilia
“This is more than just bricks and mortar … this is more than dollar and cents … this is about families being able to call this their home … We are building community. This is a piece of a larger puzzle to make the Bronx better.” — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
On April 1, Dattner Architects joined the Association of New York Catholic Homes, Cardinal Timothy Dolan (Archbishop of New York), Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (executive director of Catholic Charities of New York), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., and building residents for the opening of Second Farms. Located at 1932 Bryant Avenue in the West Farms section of the Bronx, this new mixed-use residential development offers 319 units of affordable housing, a community facility, and commercial space. The 15-story building is sited on a narrow, sloped site, with rock outcroppings characteristic of much of the Bronx, and sits within a landscaped forecourt.
“I have a wonderful home here. I don’t have to worry about things like before when we were struggling and homeless. This is a new start for us.” — Nelly Perez, Second Farms resident
Second Farms is 100% affordable with units set aside for formerly homeless families, and residents with mobility disabilities or visually impaired. The building is designed as family housing, with apartments as large as 3-bedrooms, and also includes shared co-working spaces for tenants, bike storage space, a daycare facility, ground floor grocery store, and outdoor spaces for passive recreation and socializing.
The modern building incorporates four different colors of brick, employed to distinguish the various sections of the building. Black brick connects windows making columns of two and three, informing the main design of the façade. White bricks cover two corners, and golden bricks rise in a thin column from above the main entrance, creating the illusion of division in the center of the structure to break down the visual mass of the long façade.
“Second Farms is the result of a sustained team effort over many years to redevelop a site which had long been underused and previously contained an abandoned, deteriorating parking garage. Through sensible and environmentally responsible design, our goal was to help improve people’s lives in the area and promote healthy living by providing quality affordable housing, as well as much needed space for a daycare facility and retail. We are confident that this building will help revitalize a key area in West Farms, and we hope that the residents and the community at-large will welcome this new addition as a prominent feature in their neighborhood.” — Philippe Martelly, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects celebrated Women’s History Month by highlighting women architects and designers within our firm. We kicked-off the month with our first ever “Lady Principal Panel” discussion. Each of Dattner’s four female principals shared their professional journeys, the different pathways they took to leadership, and multi-generational perspectives on female leadership and advocacy in the AEC industry.
On International Women’s Day, we published a one-on-one interview between two female colleagues. The conversational interview provided insight into the unique and dynamic women and supportive culture within Dattner Architects.
Throughout the month of March, we highlighted relationships in our Dattner Architects Mentoring Program. We asked our staff to reflect on the program, their mentor/mentee relationships, and the impact it has had during the pandemic. The result was a series of intimate portraits of mentoring at Dattner Architects. One of the relationships featured was a mentorship “tree”: a senior mentor, a mid-level mentor/mentee, and a junior mentee.
Mentoring is deeply important work and has proven to be a fulfilling and satisfying experience for both mentors and mentees. It is very personal work that is easily overlooked and undervalued in traditional corporate settings. By publishing these writings, we hoped to make this often-invisible work, visible.
Not just during Women’s History Month, but all year long, we encourage the professional development of women at Dattner Architects – and we are proud of the supportive culture we are building.
Links:
Ruth Ro and Kate McNamara on Representation and Being a Woman Architect
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Taylor, Rebecca, and Laura
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Athena, Soumya, and Gia
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Mia, Wei, and Kristy
Mentor / Mentee Relationship: Kirsten, Shefali, and Emily
Dattner Architects joined Monadnock Development, Signature Urban Properties, as well as several community leaders for the ground breaking of the last phase of the Compass Residences — a mixed-use affordable housing complex in the West Farms section of the Bronx. Compass 6 will be 16 stories and offer 261 units of affordable housing, half of which will be reserved for families earning under $52,000 a year. Once completed, the 17-acre Compass Residences development will provide over 1,300 affordable apartments, ground floor retail spaces, community facility uses, and vibrant public outdoor space.
“Once this final building is complete, the development project will have changed the lives of nearly 1,400 households by providing quality affordable housing and access to great outdoor spaces and retail – all of which are critical to the City’s equitable recovery from this pandemic.” – Deputy Mayor Vicki Been
Compass Residences is the result of a large-scale redevelopment plan – the largest private rezoning in Bronx history, enabling a new neighborhood to be built on a largely underutilized manufacturing district, well-served by mass transit, schools, parks, and open space. The development provides buildings of varying heights stepping up to the urban edge along the Bronx River, organized around courtyards which provide recreational areas for residents with parking areas below. Mid-block passages humanize the streetscape and provide views to nearby Starlight Park. Compass Residences exemplifies transformative development with extensive community input, providing housing opportunities while reinforcing the fabric and life of the Bronx.
“Moving to Compass Residence was a gift from God. It was close, it was still in the neighborhood, but it’s a brand-new complex with elevators. It met all my needs. And it's good for the neighborhood. It's nice to see nice places for us to live. And I always believe it's not where you live, how you are. And hopefully, we can all take advantage of the parks, the new school and everything that's coming to the neighborhood.” – Vernice, Compass 2 resident
The future of affordable housing must be climate-friendly, and it must provide a model for community living that is splendid and racially just. How can the lessons of Via Verde help shape the future of green social housing in the United States?
On Thursday, March 18, we had a dynamic discussion on the future of green social housing with a focus on lessons learned from our award-winning project, Via Verde! Sponsored by UPenn and Pratt Institute, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal William Stein was joined by Jonathan Rose (President, Jonathan Rose Companies), Jessica Clemente (CEO, WE STAY/Nos Quedamos), Karen Kubey (Visiting Associate Professor, Pratt Institute), Nikil Saval (State Senator, Pennsylvania’s First District), and Daniel Aldana Cohen (Director of the Socio-Spatial Climate Collaborative, UPenn).
Find a video recording of the event here: https://vimeo.com/527101000
Via Verde is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the New Housing New York Legacy Competition, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing.
Sustainability and longevity were key drivers at Via Verde, enabling the project to become a stable precedent and archetype for future subsidized housing in New York. Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, the project was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66 kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
On September 16, 2020, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP discussed equity in community engagement with AIA New Jersey. She was joined on the panel by Simone Tsigounis AIA, Susan Pikaart Bristol AIA, and Stacey Ruhle Kliesch AIA.
Based on principles from the AIA Guides to Equitable Practice, the panelists identified areas of the profession that are lacking equity and provided tools and lessons that attendees can apply to increase equity in their own personal and professional communities.
Themes that were covered during the panel included strategies in achieving greater equity in community engagement, increasing the profession’s value to society as well as its visibility among potential partners and future practitioners. The panelists covered fundamental principles and attributes of community engagement and specific methods for working with community members in equitable, inclusive, and just design practices, decision making, and outcomes.
“When architects engage with local government, whether through elected office or appointment to boards and commissions, we demonstrate expertise and show our engagement with local issues that are important to our communities.
We can advocate and plan for affordable housing for all residents. We can make the case for calmer, safer streets that are walkable, bikeable, and equitable. We can champion regional planning partnerships to reduce congestion and guide smart development in our towns and counties. We can focus on infrastructure investment to build resiliency and transportation equity.
Architects are natural leaders and consensus-builders! Volunteer in your community to help lead the way.” – Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP
Each year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selects members to be elevated to the College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor in recognition of significant achievements and architectural excellence. Only 3% of AIA members have this distinction. Awarded for his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture, we are proud to announce that Principal Jeffrey Dugan has been selected as part of this year’s class of AIA Fellows!
“Jeff’s leadership and collaborative approach has advanced the art and practice of architecture, creating a model for managing civic projects, weaving together policy, design, technical, and constructability aspects to achieve excellence. The results are projects that have improved communities and cities with positive impacts on the lives of millions of users. His work provides a template for architects to take leadership roles in service of the public interest.” – William Stein FAIA, Dattner Architects’ Senior Consulting Principal
Jeff’s commitment to shaping and elevating the civic realm, advancing community, and creating connections among all elements of urban life has found its primary expression in the planning and design of facilities for public transportation. While Jeff has devoted his efforts and expertise to transportation, he has also designed educational, institutional, healthcare, and housing projects – both new and renovations. Through these projects, Jeff reveals a keen understanding of how people move through space, how architecture affects mood and behavior, and how the relationship between a project and its environs can create, enhance, or spark the development of community.
Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure (AIANY T+I) Committee, Jeff has been responsible not only for the committee’s growth in membership, but for its prominence within the Chapter. His programs, advocacy, and related initiatives have raised the visibility and captured the attention of the profession and the public alike. Among his most prominent efforts is his leadership in shaping the Committee’s contributions to the Chapter’s Post-Sandy Initiative Report. In addition to conducting research and identifying illustrative precedent projects, Jeff undertook a strategic analysis of local and international case studies, resulting in three key approaches to the issue of resilience: defensive, adaptive, and passive.
“It is a great honor to be elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows—to be associated with architects that I hold in such high esteem. The case for Fellowship was based on my practice and leadership in designing innovative and precedent setting transportation and community facilities that advance and enrich the urban social infrastructure and transform the public sphere. After nearly a year of political, social, and public health crises, this FAIA moment has re-energized me. This recognition affirms my belief that Infrastructure defines my community, it defines my practice, and it defines me.” – Jeff Dugan FAIA
On February 23, Associate Principal Ruth Ro and Principal Gia Mainiero will join other industry leaders and peers for this year’s New York Festival of Construction.
Panel: Keeping Up the Collaboration – Staying Connected During Covid
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 10:30am
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Yemi Green (AECOM); Meredith Neistadt (SOM); Chris Pollock (ARUP); Jenna Pellegrino (Autodesk)
Panel: Best Practice in Design & Build
Date & Time: February 23, 2021 at 1:00pm
Speakers: Gia Mainiero (Dattner Architects); Rakesh Shah (Burns & McDonnell); Brian Strydom (FXCollaborative); Jacob Raskin (Structure Tone); Oliver Burkler (FARO Technologies)
New York Festival of Construction is New York’s largest online construction event, covering all the latest projects and opportunities for the construction and design industry across New York and the Tri-State area. Over the course of five days, the festival brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, webinars, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Register for free tickets: https://newyorkfestivalofconstruction.com/live-webinars
The Real Deal recently named Dattner Architects as one of the most active architects in 2020. Based on new building permit applications filed in the last year in New York City, Dattner was ranked #2 with 12 new projects totaling 1.98 million square feet.
2020 proved to be a challenging year for both the regional and national economy, with the advent of COVID-19 upending day-to-day life in NYC and beyond. Through the height of the pandemic, Dattner Architects’ diverse expertise — spanning transportation, healthcare, housing, education, and more — allowed the firm to be nimble, pivoting to meet client’s changing needs and schedules, never compromising design or quality. Together with our clients and consultants, we found new ways to collaborate and connect. Through this, Dattner Architects was able to continue to deliver the social infrastructure projects for which they are so well-known.
“We are incredibly proud that our staff was so resilient, tremendously grateful for our clients, and truly appreciative of the supportive A/E/C community that is working together to get New York City back,” said Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal. “We are drawing on the lessons learned during this unprecedented time to continue to improve the way we practice.”
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA has been elevated to Principal in recognition of her contributions to the firm and her evolving role in the practice.
A born-and-raised New Yorker, Gia came to Dattner Architects in 2006, captivated by the intricate and interrelated systems that make urban life possible. Her determination to garner a big picture understanding of how things work has led her to manage many of the firm’s infrastructure and transportation projects. Passionate about public architecture, Gia was a core team member for the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed, and is committed to creating inspiring, sustainable infrastructure for future generations. Her recent clients include NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, the General Services Administration, and MTA Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority.
"Gia Mainiero’s commitment to the design of essential infrastructure, improving the built environment throughout New York City, and ability to build consensus among project stakeholders make her Dattner Architects’ newest valued partner." — expressed principal Paul Bauer AIA.
In her new role as Principal, Gia will lead the design and management of infrastructure, transportation, and design-build projects at Dattner Architects and continue her role as a mentor within the office.
“I am grateful and honored to join the other principals in leading our community of driven professionals at Dattner Architects. A strong conviction for the value of essential architecture is what drew me to Dattner 15 years ago, and I am thrilled to continue and evolve the firm’s positive impact in sustaining urban life.” — Gia Mainiero AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has approved the application for St. James Terrace – a supportive and affordable housing development and community center adjacent to the landmarked St. James Episcopal Church in the Bronx.
The south end of the new residential building incorporates a monumental entrance from Jerome Avenue to the existing church site. The Gothic arches visually connect the double-height passageway to the historic buildings. As you move through the entrance arcade, the arched openings frame oblique and axial views of the "English country church on a hill" before opening on to a new, landscaped courtyard. This outdoor room is proposed as a new cloister or "close" for the church that ties together the new building, the existing Parish House, and the sanctuary. The new building and site design replace a parking lot, creating new ways to view and access the historic buildings while providing much-needed housing and new services to the Fordham community.
Dattner Architects’ Gia Mainiero has been selected as one of PWC’s 40 Under 40 Outstanding Women in Construction. The 40 recipients are a diverse group of women with every chapter of PWC represented.
“I am truly grateful to be recognized with this group of incredible women, representing interdisciplinary leadership and collaboration throughout our industry!" – Gia Mainiero, Associate Principal
An Associate Principal at Dattner Architects, Gia is the Director of the Transportation and Infrastructure studio where she is responsible for the studio culture, staffing, design, and management of a variety of infrastructure and building projects in the public realm. She plays a key role on public agency contracts with the NYC Department of Design & Construction, NYC Department of Sanitation, and has made significant contributions to the design of projects for the GSA, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and the Battery Park City Authority.
The 2020 40 Under 40 Class will be recognized during PWC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on December 10.
CURBED recently covered the energy-efficiency report cards for 50 of New York's most recognizable buildings. Ranked according to the U.S. Energy Star Score, topping the list is Via Verde with a score of 96 – giving it an A.
Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, Via Verde was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66-kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting, and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieve LEED NC Gold certification.
A model for affordable, sustainable residential developments, Via Verde reflects the City's public commitment to creating the next generation of social housing.
To protect the safety of the community, OHNY Weekend—an annual, citywide celebration of architecture—went virtual this year, offering everyone an opportunity to learn more about New York City's built environment and the important architectural works fundamental to civic life. As a longtime supporter of OHNY, we are always excited and proud to participate every year—and this year was no exception. On October 17 and 18, OHNY Weekenders were given access to more than 150 ways to explore and experience the city.
Here is a quick sneak peek:
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.dattner.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Teaser_2.mp4"][/video]
Re-live the unique experience with tours of the East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station and the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed.
A collaboration between the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute, Neighborhoods Now connects leading design firms with neighborhoods hard-hit by COVID-19 – working together to develop safe and effective reopening strategies. Dattner Architects partnered with MBB and community partner, University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP), a non-profit organization working to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing in the Northwest Bronx.
Two priorities for UNHP included:
Updating UNHP’s main office located at 2751 Grand Concourse for core employees to safely return to work
Update community rooms at UNHP’s senior housing facilities for safe social gathering
Utilizing a phased approach and a menu of implementation strategies, the Dattner/MBB/UNHP team reconfigured UNHP’s main office to accommodate for social distancing. Programming elements include reducing the number of workstations in each room, implementing a COVID-19 check-in station, and installing plexiglass partitions and air purifiers. The team will also provide the Rose Hill Community Center with a cost-friendly outdoor module planter system to encourage tenants to gather safely outside their apartments.
To learn more, please join us on October 7 as we take part in a virtual public forum to discuss our work with the Neighborhoods Now initiative and reflect on how collaborative design can inform neighborhood recovery strategies.
“As the founding partner, I come to the office just about every day to work with a diverse staff from around the world and see the incredible variety of projects coming through our office.” – Richard Dattner
Dattner Architects’ Founding Principal Richard Dattner is featured in an alumni profile by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s world-renowned, independent media company, MIT Technology Review. Richard speaks with Julie Fox about how MIT influenced his interest in large-scale infrastructure, the humble beginnings of Dattner Architects, the birth of PlayCubes, and more.
AIA New York’s annual Day of Service is an opportunity for architects to bring ideas to life for nonprofit organizations around the city, including much-needed upgrades to their facilities or assistance with their mission. Dattner Architects’ first year participating in Day of Service was a great success thanks to a tremendous group effort by the Dattner and Services for the UnderServed (S:US) team.
S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. Their thriving Urban Farms program provides therapeutic horticulture, nutritional programming, and employment opportunities to the individuals they serve – through workshops, field experiences, and their network of community farms and garden spaces.
We partnered with S:US to make a series of improvements to their urban garden at the Marcy Hart residences in Brooklyn, NY. This garden is home to everything from beehives to a rice pond along with a wide array of garden beds and native plants.
Held on site on August 15, 2020, our goal was to help S:US realize a portion of their master plan for the Marcy Hart space. We are proud to say that we were able to rebuild raised garden beds, install new fencing, update patios and planting areas, and add our own bench/planter modules.
We are grateful that we were able to make such positive impacts for the Marcy Hart Farm and the many people who depend on and use this space! Thank you to everyone who donated their creativity, their labor, and funds.
“Beyond just being able to harvest their own fruits and vegetables, the Marcy Hart backyard is a little green oasis for the residents. You made it even more so." – Minjung Park, Volunteer & Community Relations Manager, Services for the UnderServed (S:US)
“Dattner Architects partnership with S:US for our first year participating in the AIANY Day of Service was a successful, tremendous group effort. Coming together as a community to help others during this time of crisis was particularly meaningful.” Emily Trulson, Day of Service Leader, Dattner Architects
Be sure to join us on September 15 as we discuss the Marcy Hart project, including the collaborative process of design, material procurement, and implementation during AIA New York’s Day of Service: 2020 Program Highlights live webinar.
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Steiner Studios team that has been selected to design and develop a new 500,000 square foot film and television production facility. Located at Bush Terminal’s Made in New York Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the new hub will mark the first expansion beyond Steiner’s Brooklyn Navy Yard media campus – which currently houses the largest and preeminent film and TV lot outside of Hollywood.
The new Steiner Studios complex will include eight soundstages, the gut renovation of two buildings for additional production support space, and a new parking structure. The project is estimated to create at least 1,800 construction jobs and 2,200 full-time jobs and will include several local workforce-development programs for high school students, summer internships, and funding for non-profit organizations supporting gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the NYC film and TV industry.
As our longtime client, we are thrilled to continue our relationship with Steiner Studios and Steiner NYC. We look forward to designing spaces that help contribute to the growth of the City’s creative industry.
“…we as architects must envision a new normal.”
– Jeff Dugan AIA
Public mass transportation is the arterial system of New York City. It connects us to the robust built environment where we live, work, and play. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on this very system. Safe and reliable transportation is key to re-establishing normalcy. But what does that look like? What are the challenges moving forward? What must we, as architects, do to create a safe space and environment for our citizens?
Dattner Architects’ Principal Jeff Dugan AIA addresses these issues and more in his Op-Ed in the Summer Issue of Oculus Magazine. As our firm’s transportation design leader and Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Transportation + Infrastructure Committee, Jeff uses his vast experience and expertise to reimagine what mass transportation in cities looks like in a post-COVID future.
“In this moment of great uncertainty, architects have a unique opportunity to provide a global model for mass transportation in a post-pandemic New York City.”
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that East New York Health Hub is the recipient of a 2020 AIA New York State Excelsior Honor Award. This prestigious award recognizes design excellence, user impact, and overall performance within the context of a publicly funded project.
Located in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the addition to and transformation of this turn-of-the-century structure allows a growing non-profit to provide essential healthcare and social services in an underserved neighborhood.
The addition and gut renovation expanded existing operations on site from 9,000 to 45,000 square feet, allowing the Institute for Community Living (ICL) to create a one-stop-shop community health facility for mental and physical wellbeing. The design approach creates synergy between programs by consolidating ICL’s extensive existing outreach, mental health service, and family support into one facility and co-locating a new health center operated by non-profit partner Community Healthcare Network.
The architecture of East New York Health Hub encourages physical and mental healing through visual connections to both nature and the community. Garden and terrace spaces, framed views, and access to light and air reinforce the link to the surrounding environment, while framing activities to engage the street and support the relationship with the community.
As part of the development team led by Bayfront Development Partners (a joint venture of Pennrose and Omni America), Dattner Architects has been selected to design two sites – part of the first phase of the 100-acre Bayfront redevelopment in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Phase one of the development includes 16 acres, four parcels, and a total of 1,092 units of multi-family housing. The Pennrose/Omni/Dattner team will design 540 units, 189 of which will be affordable housing.
“Featuring green design, top-notch amenities, and ample outdoor and community spaces, the plans for the Bayfront development will have long-term, positive impacts on the entire neighborhood.” – Jacob Fisher, Regional Vice President at Pennrose
Located on a former brownfield site on the Hackensack River, the Bayfront Redevelopment project will transform the once contaminated site into a vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income community. When completed, the project is expected to bring 8,000 units to the city’s west side. It is the largest development project in Jersey City since the Newport community helped transform the Hudson River waterfront into a complex of commercial and residential buildings.
The NYC Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC) started 2020 with an exhibit at the Center for Architecture – Public Works: Reflecting on 15 Years of Project Excellence for New York City. Dattner Architects is honored to have the 116th Precinct, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed featured in the Public Works exhibit, which is on display till April 4, 2020.
Situated between an active Long Island Railroad (LIRR) raised railway and a residential neighborhood, the new 116th Precinct Station will serve as a mediator between these contrasting urban scales. A key site strategy was to locate the building along the street and place parking behind, shielding it from public view. This gives the police station a presence along the street and protects the character of the residential streetscape and sidewalk from vehicular activity. Designed to encourage community awareness, interaction, and engagement with the NYPD 116th Precinct team, a new public plaza will include public seating and bike racks, and connects the neighborhood to the LIRR Rosedale station entrance. A new community room anchors the corner of the station and serves as a prime programmatic element of the plaza.
Overlooking the Hudson River at the corner of Spring Street and West Street, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The garage accommodates over 150 sanitation vehicles including trucks, frontend loaders, salt spreaders, heavy-equipment wreckers, and personnel vehicles; separate vehicle wash and personnel facilities for each district; and centralized fueling and repair facilities. The double-skin façade wraps the curtain wall with 2,600 custom, perforated, metal fins, vertically articulating and lighting the building’s massing. An extensive 1.5 acre green roof softens views from neighboring buildings, protects the roof membrane, and enhances storm water retention and thermal performance. A benchmark project for NYC’s Active Design program, the garage has achieved LEED Gold certification.
Directly across Spring Street to the north, the Salt Shed’s crystalline, faceted planes enliven this highly visible structure, acting as a counterpoint to the diaphanous, scrim-like façade of the Garage. The cast-in-place concrete structure tapers toward the bottom—creating more pedestrian space—and rises from a glazed moat that is illuminated at night. Rising nearly 70 feet, the shed houses 5,000 tons of salt and creates an iconic landmark at this important intersection. Within the year of opening, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Salt Shed have become a source of neighborhood pride. The garage and salt shed were designed in association with WXY Architecture + Urban Design.
Dattner Architects is a proud partner and supporter of NYC DDC, an agency delivering high-quality public projects that contribute to a thriving and resilient city for all New Yorkers.
How does an Ivy League university plan and design pivotal campus facilities to meet current and future needs of its users in a rapidly changing educational landscape? What strategies are used to design a campus that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the local community?
On March 10, Dattner Architects’ Catherine Selby and Columbia University’s Denise Ferris will discuss many of these issues and more at The Society for College & University Planning (SCUP) North Atlantic Regional Conference in New Haven, CT.
Title: Inclusive & Pivotal: University Buildings Designed to Serve the Community
Date/Time: 3/10/2020 at 8:30-9:30am
Location: Omni New Haven at Yale, Temple
Conference attendees will learn how the partnership between Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), Dattner Architects, and Columbia University created the Forum – the gateway to Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus. This multipurpose facility features a state-of-the-art 437-seat auditorium to host academic conferences, meetings, and symposia. Additional meeting rooms, offices, and open gathering spaces provide generous shared meeting space. A highly visible and iconic component of the new campus, this academic conference center is designed to encourage thought-leaders and scholars from across the university and the world to come together to share ideas. The Forum’s ground floor flexible spaces establish an “Urban Layer,” further opening the facility spaces to the local community, establishing an important connection to both the neighborhood and city. Dattner Architects served as Executive Architect to RPBW.
SCUP unites the best of college, university, and professional planners. Creating a range of learning opportunities, from publications to SCUP conferences, SCUP offers its members a community to share perspectives, resources, best practices, and new ideas that move challenges to solutions.
How does good design factor into the production of housing developments? What non-traditional forms of housing can be created to meet the nuanced needs of a community? What are the City’s housing goals, and can the City create interim milestones to help show progress?
Affordable housing is a critical focus for New York City and our firm, and we are engaged in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis in several ways: active participation on zoning and code committees; large scale rezoning efforts on behalf of our clients; and creating new neighborhoods.
On March 4, Dattner Architects’ Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich discussed these topics and more on the Combating the Affordable Housing Crisis panel at New York Build’s Residential and Future Construction Summit. Moderated by Frank Mahan (Associate Director – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), Rachel was joined by Ariel Aufgang (Principal – Aufgang Architects), Isaac-Daniel Astrachan (Principal – Stephen B. Jacobs Group), and Raquel Vazquez (Director of Housing Development – Joy Construction Corp).
New York Build Expo is the leading and largest free-to-attend construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. Held at the Javits Center, the expo brings together thousands of professionals from the AEC and real estate industries for panels, exhibits, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Dattner Architects’ Managing Principal Kirsten Sibilia is featured in Madame Architect, a dedicated platform that highlights and celebrates diverse and inspiring women in architecture. Interviewed by Madame Architect founder, Julia Gamolina, Kirsten recounts her career journey as a pioneering allied professional in the A/E/C industry.
“I learned then what a small industry we’re in, and how, by putting your best foot forward, having integrity, and being open to things, opportunities would come.”
Kirsten joined Dattner Architects in 2010 as Chief Marketing Officer with over 15 years of industry experience and was elevated to Principal in 2013. One of the first allied professionals to have ownership in an architectural firm in New York, Kirsten became Managing Principal in 2016. She is a vocal advocate for impactful design, diversity and equity in practice, and creating resilient and sustainable urban density. As a mentor and leader, she is focused on the firm’s continued health, growth, vitality, and culture.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce our 2020 promotions. In recognition of his contributions to our firm and his evolving role in the practice, Eric Epstein has been elevated to Principal. Rachel Ehrlich is our new Associate Principal and Emily Kotsaftis has been named Senior Associate. Our new Associates are Earl Jones, Heather McKinstry, and Shefali Sanghvi. Mia Lee has been promoted to Studio Director. These promotions reflect individual dedication to our firm and a shared commitment to our mission to positively impact communities through the design of sustainable, civic architecture.
Clockwise From Left: Shefali Sanghvi, Eric Epstein, Earl Jones, Emily Kotsaftis, Rachel Ehrlich, Mia Lee (Not Pictured: Heather McKinstry, who is on maternity leave.)
PRINCIPAL
In Eric Epstein AIA, LEED AP's new role as Principal, he will lead projects in Dattner Architects' Educational and Institutional sectors. Seeking opportunities to bring people together and provide a sense of place through thoughtful, meaningful architecture guides Eric’s work across this broad set of program-driven building typologies.
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Passionate about building social equity and reinvesting in local communities, Rachel Ehrlich AIA, LEED AP BD+C joined Dattner Architects in 2007. She has dedicated her career to affordable housing with a specialty in supportive, senior, and special needs housing. She is a Studio Director for one of the firm’s housing studios.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
In the 19 years since joining Dattner Architects, Emily Kotsaftis AIA, LEED AP has focused her career in the design and construction of innovative transit stations and the integration of infrastructure into each community. As a consensus builder, she brings a high level of professionalism to each of her projects and builds strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
ASSOCIATES
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms as a BIM manager allows him to communicate and collaborate easily between designers to create and manage a cohesive, efficient workflow.
Heather McKinstry AIA, LEED AP, CPHC believes that sustainable architecture is a critical part of creating a more equitable world. As a Certified Passive House Consultant, she sees architecture’s most important role as providing occupants with healthy, sustainable spaces to live, work, learn, and play.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing, including new construction and renovations, senior housing, and supportive housing. She approaches each project with a passion for socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable design. Shefali also applies this dedication internally as a co-chair to the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
STUDIO DIRECTOR
With a diverse architectural background ranging from inspired interiors to comprehensive master planning, Mia Lee AIA joined Dattner Architects in 2010. She is dedicated to practicing architecture that results in spaces that positively impact people’s lives. As a Studio Director, Mia will work across projects to promote the exchange of design ideas, foster knowledge sharing, and promote the professional growth of our employees.
As this year comes to an end, we find ourselves reflecting on some of the highlights of 2019.
Rankings & Awards
Dattner Architects is proud to have been identified by Building Design + Construction (BD+C) as one of the country’s top architecture firms as well as a leader in the Multifamily Housing, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Office, Healthcare, Cultural, Government, and Industrial sectors. As part of BD+C’s Giants 300 Report, we were also recognized for our work in Green Buildings and Reconstruction.
The Real Deal (TRD) also named Dattner Architects one of New York City’s top overall architecture firms, including ranking fourth in Brooklyn and first in the Bronx, and the 10th most prolific firm in New York City over the past decade.
CURBED NY recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde, while SECRET NYC listed the Number 7 Subway Line Extension & 34 Street Hudson Yards Station as one of the 10 most beautiful subway stations in New York City. We are proud to have designed these unique, eye-catching structures that have helped define New York City’s built environment.
Serving as a welcoming and transparent gateway to Columbia University, the glass-enclosed Forum was recognized with a Merit Award at the AIANY Honors and Awards Luncheon. This new academic conference center provides much-needed education and civic engagement space as well as a shared resource for students, faculty, and the local community. The Forum, as part of Columbia University’s new Manhattanville Campus Phase 1, was also honored with ULI-NY’s Award for Excellence in Institutional Development.
ULI-NY also recognized the Goldin, as part of the Essex Crossing Phase 1 project, with an Award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development. Adding to the Goldin’s continued recognition are awards from AIA National and BSA. The first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development, the Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services.
Caesura received a Design Award of Honor in Multifamily Housing from the Society of American Registered Architects of New York. Located in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, Caesura is a dynamic new mixed-use building, anchoring a key corner of Lafayette Avenue and Ashland Place, across from the BAM Opera House, Theater for a New Audience, and Arts Plaza.
Groundbreakings & Ribbon Cuttings
We joined our clients and partnering community leaders for special events, including a groundbreaking at 50 Penn and a ribbon cutting at the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center. These special projects are giving much-needed affordable housing and sought-after Pre-K education to East New York and Coney Island, respectively.
OHNY Weekend
A longtime supporter of Open House New York (OHNY), we are a proud participant of the annual OHNY Weekend. We opened up our offices for an Open Studio tour, giving visitors behind-the-scenes access into our firm. Tours were also given at the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed – two of the City’s newest iconic structures.
Architecture + Fashion
Inspired by our shared sustainable ideologies and practices, Dattner Architects and Heron Preston joined forces for Preston’s SS20 collection. A creative director, content creator, influencer, and DJ, Preston is widely considered to be a youth-culture icon. The designer held his first formal Fashion Week presentation in 2016 at the Spring Street Salt Shed and he pays homage to the Salt Shed with this year’s runway opening tailored Tyvek suit.
These are some of the many highlights from a fruitful 2019. We are grateful to our clients and collaborators, and look forward to continuing to make our City and beyond a greener, safer, and more vibrant place to live.
As we reflect on the past decade, we are filled with gratitude for each opportunity to design transformational, impactful projects. We are incredibly proud of the recognition our projects have earned in the press, from our peers, and through design awards, and—most importantly—by those who live in, work in, learn in, and travel through our projects every day.
The ten projects from the past decade featured as representative of the breadth of our portfolio are (top to bottom, left to right): Battery Park City School PS/IS 276; Spring Street Salt Shed; Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden & Exploration Center; Revitalizing the Urban Extents; Hub; East New York Health Hub; PS 186 / Boys & Girls Club of Harlem; Number 7 Subway Line Extension; Via Verde; Princeton University Tennis Pavilion.
Thank you to our clients, consultants, colleagues, contractors, and friends for your trust and collaboration.
We wish each of you a happy and healthy new year!
Dattner Architects has been selected to design Kingsbrook Estates in Central Brooklyn, transforming the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus into a new 266-unit affordable housing development. As part of Governor Cuomo’s Vital Brooklyn initiative, which promises to create 4,000 units of affordable housing in Central Brooklyn, Kingsbrook Estates will offer affordable housing and a wide array of health, wellness, employment, and support services for residents and the community at-large.
"The transformation of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus is the latest step forward in our effort to revitalize Central Brooklyn with a $578 million investment in affordable housing. The new Kingsbrook Estates will be an outstanding development that delivers top-quality affordable housing and much needed health and social services to residents of Central Brooklyn." – Governor Cuomo
The three-building development will give residents access to health and wellness classes, vocational training, physical activity programs, and integrated care. Amenities include a community garden, outdoor exercise equipment, walkways, children’s play areas, outdoor kitchens, an indoor teaching kitchen, community spaces, laundry rooms, and bike storage. A nurse’s station will provide on-site services and counseling space. One Brooklyn Health System and Kingsbrook Estates will also provide all-inclusive care for the elderly in the development’s 7,000 square foot PACE Center.
Kingsbrook Estates is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR requirements, and includes solar photovoltaic panels and green roof systems.
Clients for Kingsbrook Estates include Monadnock Development, CB-Emmanuel Realty, and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services. They were recently awarded the project through New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
"Monadnock is thrilled to be awarded Vital Brooklyn Sites E,F,G & H, Kingsbrook Estates, and we look forward to working with NYS HCR and the entire One Brooklyn Health System leadership to develop high quality, affordable housing in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. We want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas for their leadership and ongoing commitment to housing the most vulnerable New Yorkers." – Nicholas Lembo, Chairman of Monadnock Development
Dattner Architects is proud to be a part of the Kingsbrook Estates team and we look forward to giving the residents of Central Brooklyn a safe, healthy, and affordable space to live and thrive.
“As a 20-year resident of the East Flatbush community, I am pleased that the Cuomo Administration is making this investment. As an architect in the community, my firm and I are excited to help transform the Kingsbrook campus to include much needed affordable, inter-generational, and supportive housing. Our site plan is a combination of adaptive re-use and contextual design that will integrate with and enhance the community.” – John Woelfling, Principal at Dattner Architects
CURBED NY has recognized 10 of the most important buildings from the past decade, including the Spring Street Salt Shed and Via Verde!
The Salt Shed was recognized for its unique and rare eye-catching design for a civic building, while Via Verde “proved that designers and developers do not need to sacrifice form for function when building affordable housing."
Dattner Architects is proud to have designed these inspired and highly functional buildings that have helped define New York City’s built environment. We look forward to the next 10 years and beyond in this fine city! Many thanks to our clients, collaborators, and team of consultants.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that The Goldin at Essex Crossing has recently won two prestigious awards: AIA Design for Aging Review Award and BSA Housing Design Award.
In 1967, Seward Park Area tenants were relocated from their homes to make way for a massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition and the site remained vacant. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side (LES) was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Sited at 175 Delancey Street, the Goldin is the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The Goldin provides much-needed affordable senior housing, healthcare, and community services. The 15-story mixed-use building comprises 96,200 square feet of residential space with 100 senior housing units, atop a four-story podium with ground floor retail, a large ambulatory care center, a café that supports job training, and community facilities operated by two venerable area nonprofit organizations.
The project transforms the perception of affordable senior housing with a distinctive contemporary design using a striking brick expression. The Goldin is designed to convey a warm, vibrant, and welcoming residential setting that is vital to affordable senior housing. The well-proportioned one-bedroom apartments are bright with high quality, modern, elegant finishes. The design enables residents to live independently, while being a part of a community with supportive resources. The Goldin provides a variety of senior-oriented cultural, social, and medical programs to support independent living and enhance the quality of life. These programs also serve the wider neighborhood, ensuring a variety of services and amenities not possible in a more conventionally programmed project. Two park-like rooftop gardens provide recreational space and a connection with nature in a dense urban environment.
In addition to the building and residences, the architectural team designed the mixed-use programming at the base of the building, including fit-outs for the NYU Langone Medical Center and nonprofit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement (GSS) Community Center, Lower East Side Partnership BID offices, Henry Street Settlement Workforce Development Center, Little Stars of Broome Street Early Childcare Center operated by the Chinese American Planning Council, and The Grand Lo cafe on the ground level, open to the community, is part of a culinary training program offered by GSS. The Joan H. & Preston Robert Tisch Center is a state-of-the art facility encompassing a Physical Therapy practice, an Ambulatory Surgery Center, and two family/primary care practices. The base also houses a neighborhood bicycle shop and property management offices for the overall Essex Crossing development. To ensure a collaborative process from the start of design through construction, the design team served as an intermediary between NYU Langone, Grand Street Settlement, Henry Street Settlement and Delancey Street Associates, the project developers.
The AIA Design for Aging Review showcases facilities and projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to improving environments and quality of life for seniors. Winning a Merit Award, the Goldin was commended by the jury for being an excellent example of urban living – one that “embraces the cultural diversity and exceeds sustainable requirements.”
The BSA Housing Design Award recognizes design excellence in housing of all types and scales. The hierarchy of the projects awarded this year, and the jury comments, will be revealed at the annual Design Awards Gala on January 23, 2020 in Boston.
On Friday, November 8th, Dattner Architects joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center.
Located in the heart of Coney Island, this new Head Start Center provides sought-after Pre-K education for 65 local children between the ages of 2-5 years old. The building fosters the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of preschoolers in a safe environment, guided by the philosophy of the Montessori approach to early childhood education. Indoor/outdoor learning and play spaces are clustered by age. The three-story, 17,000 square foot steel-reinforced building also features a kitchen, multi-purpose room, various administrative and utility spaces, five classrooms, and office areas. Through large classroom windows and circulation spaces, the Center promotes community visibility, civic awareness, and connectivity
Elevated above the flood plain, resiliency, sustainability, and active design inform the design of the building with bermed entrances, stepped roofs, brise soleil, and large open windows. Stepped roofs allow for outdoor gardens, learning spaces, and play areas.
The warm yellow and light gray façade portion of the building is a fiber-cement board rainscreen using integral-colored panels fastened to an aluminum subgirt system. The panels, as well as the subgirt elements and fasteners, are extremely durable and are unaffected by water. The gaps between the panels allow the air pressure within the wall cavity to be equalized with that of the pressure on the exterior of the building, thereby allowing water and vapor to freely drain and evaporate.
The design pays homage to its location. The warm yellow tones and long staggered panels of the cantilevered volume are a reference to the iconic Coney Island boardwalk. The panels extend along the soffit of the volume (over the entrance steps) and continue through as the ceiling of the lobby, creating the feeling of being under the boardwalk. The dark gray façade is also a fiber-cement board system, but it is detailed in a horizontal lapping pattern. This references the small-scaled wood lap siding homes commonly found in Coney Island.
Funded through FEMA, this new facility serves the community in two important ways. It is a critical provider of Pre-K education for the neighborhood and will offer safe harbor to the community in the event of a major tropical storm.
“This project realizes a vision for a new early childhood development center that provides a safe space for children to learn, play, and grow. Dattner Architects is proud to be part of the Catholic Charities team in building a facility that helps to revitalize a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Sandy.” – Jeffrey Dugan, Principal at Dattner Architects
On November 20, Dattner Architects’ Principal John Woelfling will be discussing “Multifamily Passive House – Different Systems and Designs” at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. He will be joined on the panel by Mark Ginsberg (Partner, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects) and Dylan Martello (Senior Building Systems Consultant, Steven Winter Associates). Collectively, John, Mark, and Dylan have designed more than 25 multifamily Passive House projects. Greenbuild attendees will gain a better understanding of the design, construction, and operations issues faced in multifamily Passive House buildings as well as the alternate systems used to meet Passive House standards.
Greenbuild is the largest annual event for green building professionals to learn and source the latest cutting-edge solutions to improve sustainability and quality of life in buildings and communities. Held from November 19-22 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, this year’s conference includes a keynote speech from former President Barack Obama.
Every October, Open House New York (OHNY) provides unprecedented access to more than 250 buildings and projects across New York City. As part of that effort, Dattner Architects was excited to share a glimpse into two of our award-winning projects as well as a behind-the-scenes look into our firm for OHNY’s annual OHNY Weekend.
Open Studio at Dattner Architects
On Saturday, October 19, we opened our doors for an Open Studio tour of our office – illustrating how we approach civic architecture.
Along our studio pin-up wall, we showcased select works-in-progress across our four studios, including 425 Grand Concourse, 2840 Atlantic, 116th Precinct Station House, Brooklyn District 3 Garage, and CUNY Bronx Express. Pin-up space was also dedicated to showcasing our firm culture, industry involvement, and commitment to professional development.
As a mission-driven firm, focused on enriching civic space and the urban experience, Dattner Architects has completed hundreds of projects across the city, some large, others small – all a part of our ever-expanding portfolio. To celebrate this commitment to transforming environments and strengthening communities, we ran an internal photo contest titled: OUR CITY. OUR PROJECTS.
With 54 years of projects to choose from, Dattner Architects staff were tasked with taking photos of one of our completed projects. It could be a detail, an interior, or exterior. The only requirements were that it was a photo they personally took, that it was one of our NYC-based projects, and that the project was built/completed. All photo entries were then curated into an exhibition along the pin-up wall.
We invited John Hill – architect, author, and friend of the firm – to judge the contest. At an awards reception held at our office on Wednesday, October 16, John spoke about the winning photos as well as his general observations on NYC architecture. First, second, and third place prizes were awarded with winners receiving a signed copy of John’s recent book, NYC Walks: Guide to New Architecture, as well as gift cards to local restaurants and businesses.
OHNY visitors were invited to bring their own photos of one of our completed NYC projects on the day of our Open Studio. Those that participated pinned up their photos alongside the featured exhibition and received a Dattner Architects’ tote bag as a gift. Staff and visitors were encouraged to take a selfie at our photo booth as a keepsake and token of our gratitude.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed Tours
On Sunday, October 20, we were joined by NYC Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) Assistant Chief Keith Mellis for tours of the award-winning Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage and Spring Street Salt Shed. Two of the City’s newest iconic structures, these critical infrastructure facilities have been embraced by the West Village community. OHNY visitors were given a behind-the-scenes look at how the City’s waste stream is managed and heard from Dattner Architects and WXY team members on the design process and value of these important community facilities.
On October 1, Dattner Architects joined Pennrose LLC, RiseBoro Community Partners, New York City Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYCHPD), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal Jr., and Red Stone Equity Partners to break ground on a new mixed-use residential development in East New York, Brooklyn.
Located within the recently rezoned Cypress Hills area of East New York, 50 Penn will provide 100% affordable housing, meeting the requirements of the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program. Following the NYC Zoning Resolution’s FRESH program, the development will maximize the residential floor area to offer 218 rental apartments – 42 of which will be dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households – and a health-foods grocery store at the ground floor.
The site for this nine-story multifamily building sits adjacent to the elevated J/Z Subway (to the north of the site) and the below-grade A/C Subway. A former industrial site, it was remediated through the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The sustainable project includes green roofs, rooftop photovoltaic panels, a highly insulated exterior wall system for energy efficiency, and landscaped outdoor space for the residents’ health and well-being.
