While designing or redesigning the home or workplace, people often stumble about whom to contact. We have prepared a list of the best architecture firms in NYC.
As we all know, New York is the epicenter of some of the best architecture. The city has over 1,000 architecture firms (NYC) and around 20,000 licensed architects.
New York is known as the heart of architecture that has a rich community of landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors. This city contributes more than $84 billion to the total economic output in 2018. It is 10% of the city’s overall GDP.
From the above data, it is easy to assume that there are plenty of architects and architecture firms. And to choose one among them becomes really a difficult task when you have limited information. Also, just by reading their job description or some portfolio, it is hard to decide who is best for your project.
For the clients who are searching for the most reputed architecture firms in NYC, the hunt might be over now. On this page, you will be introduced to some of the top architecture firms in NYC.
But before directly jumping into the listicles, we will first discuss the parameters we have prepared for the list. We will share the number of projects they have worked on, the number of awards they have received, and many more.
Table of Contents
How We Selected Our Top List of Architecture Firms in NYC?
While listing them, we have given the following points more priority:
- Firms that have won A+ Awards from 2013 to 2019.
- How many projects are being selected as the project of the day in between the years 2009 to 2020?
- The number of the Featured Project in the year 2009 to 2020.
- And the number of projects that are uploaded to Architizer from 2009 to 2020.
According to the above parameter, we have prepared a list of top architecture firms in NYC.
1. Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
| Number of A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 17 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 10 |
| The Featured Project | 35 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 75 |
The first architectural firm on our list. Bjarke Ingels Group is based in three major cities, Copenhagen, New York, and London. This firm was founded in 20005 and since then the firm has exponentially grown. Now the company has over 400 staff working under it.
Some of the projects that Bjarke Ingels Group has completed are:
- Via 57 West:
It is a pyramid-shaped apartment situated in Midtown Manhattan, New York. The design and the plan of the project are very spectacular.
- The Mountain:
In this project, the firm has to build a multi-unit housing project with a stepped terrace.
- Shenzhen Energy Mansion:
In Shenzhen, China, an elevated, multi-functional corporate skyscraper with an energy-efficient façade.
- Amagerforbrændingen:
It is a waste energy plant in Denmark.
2. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM)
| Number of A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 13 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 10 |
| The Featured Project | 31 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 92 |
It is the second firm on our list and one of the oldest. SOM was founded in 1936. With constant performance and goodwill, the company became one of the renowned NY architecture firms. This firm has a qualified group of engineers, architects, planners, and many more. The collective effort of various experts has brought the firm to these heights.
Projects on SOM has worked on are:
- Burj Khalifa:
It is one of the most popular buildings in the world, situated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The height of the building is about 829.8 m and is one of the tallest buildings.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Terminal 2:
It is one of the vast terminals in Mumbai, India.
- One World Trade Center:
the iconic skyscraper in Downtown Manhattan, New York City, at the center of the reconstructed World Trade Center complex.
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3. Gensler
| Number of A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 4 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 7 |
| The Featured Project | 20 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 136 |
Gensler has been making its place in the market for over 50 years. The firm was founded in 1965. With more than 6,00 working staff the organization is among some of the top architecture firms in NYC. The firm has multiple portfolios that include small to huge projects. Gensler is known for its quality and high-performance records.
Some of the projects that Gensler has been a part of are:
- Shanghai Tower:
With a double-skin facade, Shanghai Tower is known for its high technology. It is situated in Shanghai, China.
- Chennai International Airport, Kamaraj Domestic and International Terminals:
It is the third busiest airport in India.
- Facebook at Menlo Park:
Gensler has built a huge headquarters that has great structure and design.
4. Steven Holl Architects
| Number A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 4 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 7 |
| The Featured Project | 20 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 136 |
Steven Holl Architects has won several awards for the work. The firm was founded by Steven Holl. With the small number of staff, the company has completed many big projects all over the world. Holl is very popular for his art and passion for building.
Some of the best projects done by the Steven Holl Architects are:
- MIT Simmons Hall:
It is a building for the residence of 350 students in Cambridge, MA.
- Nanjing Museum of Art and Architecture:
Steven Holl Architects has also designed the art gallery in Nanjing, China.
- Lewis Arts Complex:
Natural materials, porosity, and ease of movement describe the Lewis Arts Complex, a cultural institution in Princeton, NJ.
5. HDR
| Number A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 4 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 6 |
| The Featured Project | 28 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 37 |
HDR is an architectural firm that has around 225 offices. The company has planned and worked on many projects including residential, commercial, and educational. It has been in this market for over 100 years with around 10,000 staff. All staff in the team are experts in different jobs including engineering, construction, and architecture.
Some of the popular projects done by HDR are:
- Zayed Building for Personalized Cancer Care:
HDR built the great landmark building in Houston, TX. It is the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- Kolos Data Center:
Located in Ballangen, Norway, the Kolos Data Center is a stunning 6.5 million square foot facility.
- University of Melbourne:
It is a glass atrium with lots of natural light, people, and plants. The university is designed in such a way to provide the best environment for the new students.
6. Sharon Davis Design
| Number A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 4 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 0 |
| The Featured Project | 6 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 8 |
The group majorly focuses on projects that are based on the community like the healthcare and healthcare projects in Asia and Africa.
It was founded by the architect Sharon Davisfew years back. In 2020, the founder was named as one of Architizer’s “50 Women Rocking the World of Architecture.”
Some of the projects the company worked on:
- Partners in Health Housing:
The building in Kayonza, Rwanda, is surrounded by permeable eucalyptus screens.
- Davis House:
An architect designed and built a gorgeous timber residence in Garrison, NY for herself.
7. RAAD Studio
| Number A+ Awards the firms have acquired | 4 |
| Project of the Day by the group | 0 |
| The Featured Project | 2 |
| Total Projects, it has done so far | 20 |
James Ramsey founded the company in 2004 and named it Ramsey Architecture and Design. Since then the group has completed hundreds of projects across the USA. The group is known for its amazing and stylish design. It always tried to balance between the close and open space.
RAAD Studio has been awarded by and featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Metropolis, Monocle, and New York magazine.
Some projects that RAAD Studio has completed:
- The Lowline Lab:
The installation is located inside an abandoned market within a subterranean laboratory filled with plants.
- Franklin Street:
A distinct brick arcade is the focal point of Franklin Street, a beautifully renovated Manhattan loft.
- BK Hotel:
The building features concrete finishes in and out and is a boutique hotel in Brooklyn.
We have discussed seven top architecture firms in NYC. If you are looking for one for your home or office, then hopefully the above list might help to choose. However, remember, the design of your workplace or home is very personal. So before hiring anyone keep your requirement list prepared.