Architecture Workshop PC

When we hired Architecture Workshop to design our food photography studio, we faced several challenges. The space is in a landmarked building in Brooklyn, so we had to preserve the original character of the building (and navigate a maze of city regulations at the same time). It was completely raw when we signed the lease -- not even a drainage system, much less water lines -- so putting in a full kitchen with professional capabilities that was also photographable was a huge endeavor. Our clients are major food and lifestyle magazines and publishers: Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Real Simple, a number of celebrity chefs. Their standards are high. The design of the studio as a whole had to be timeless and stylish, but it also had to functional enough for these chefs to cook in, and versatile enough that it could be staged to have different looks for different shoots. We had a few ideas of what we wanted at the start, but we had no idea how to actual bring them to life. Enter Architecture Workshop. AW guided us through the whole process, from sourcing lights whose color temperature would harmonize with natural-light photography to getting approvals from city agencies for the unconventional plumbing and cooktops we wanted to install. AW even connected us with a millworker in our own neighborhood to build our custom cabinetry. We're now in our fourth successful year of business, and our clients consistently say we have the best looking, most comfortable, and most welcoming studio in NYC. They love spending time in the space, and that's made our business thrive.

Architecture Workshop was highly recommended to us by a colleague. We had meetings set up with multiple architectural firms, and yet after our initial meeting, we knew we had found what we were looking for. This team understood our needs and desires, and worked very closely with us to translate them into a beautiful and functional living space. We appreciated their balance of creativity and pragmatic approach. We are a large family with three high-energy young boys. Architecture Workshop designed a cool and creative space for boys to play in, a loft area and floor to ceiling storage. The older boys share a walk in closet that is the envy of many close friends! Additionally, we were able to stay on budget using a mix of cost effective off-the-shelf storage with high quality custom cabinetry. To complement its shape, the team proposed a creative solution to deal with our long loft space, with windows on either end. A unique aspect of the high ceilings was highlighted to help spread daylight throughout the apartment. They designed walls with a glass in the upper areas that allows sunlight to reach deep into the heart of the apartment. Concealed lights along the glass provide a soft light at night. The design of the walls creates an airy and open quintessential loft feel. We love our new master bathroom with floor to ceiling tile and large frosted glass doors; it feels like a spa! Throughout the entire renovation process, we found their experience at obtaining approvals invaluable. Architecture Workshop actually convinced building management to allow central air and large new windows with persuasive presentations and meetings. This team is very committed to a high quality space and detailing, which we appreciate for not only its aesthetics but also functionality. They were very hands on and walked us through the whole process. They were very responsive and a pleasure to work with. Additionally, we recommended them to our building’s board, and we worked together on our co-op building entrance lobby renovation. We would definitely recommend Architecture Workshop again.

Working with Architecture Workshop was a game-changer. As a first-time buyer in Manhattan I was facing a steep learning curve when it came to costs, timelines and renovations in general. Partnering with Architecture Workshop made the process infinitely more creative, rewarding and cost-efficient than if I had tried to go at it alone. Starting with our very first meeting, Architecture Workshop focused on finding solutions that were right for me and my lifestyle: from the type and quantity of storage I needed to how best to optimize the space and even the flow of light. They then came back to me with proposals and we quickly agreed on a creative direction I loved: a style that was original and different enough to make the space anything but cookie-cutter, but at the same time a style that felt like I could live in it and "own" it (as opposed to some over-the-top or artificial designs I've occasionally seen elsewhere). It just felt right. But that was only the beginning of the process: then came execution - the scary part where I expected a bad surprise or two - which made me realize that I'd only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value a good architect brings to the table. I naively thought an architect was just about providing a vision, but Architecture Workshop was all about bringing this vision to life, and doing what it takes to do so. First they bid out my project to several contractors, which in and of itself saved me multiples of the fee I had paid and spared me countless headaches. Architecture Workshop went through the process of reconciling quotes that were all presented in different ways; reading between the lines and sharing knowledge of each contractor's strengths. An expertise that allowed me to go with a more affordable contractor knowing that Architecture Workshop would supervise his work. And this relentless supervision paid off: I'm pleased to report that we were on time and on budget - a very unusual occurrence in Manhattan, due in large part to firm's relationship and frequent communication with the contractor. Speaking of budget: as a nervous new buyer I was anxious to control costs, and instead of looking down on me or viewing this as a limitation Architecture Workshop took it as a fun challenge and did their very best to find visually stunning ideas at reasonable prices, for which I am very grateful. My favorite idea involved a whole sugar maple tree... In short, Architecture Workshop was a terrific partner. They were able to think outside the box but within my own parameters. They were incredibly patient and dependable. The firm not only made the renovation process exciting rather than overwhelming, they also gave me a home I still love every day. Thank you, Architecture Workshop!

We engaged AW and Robert Garneau to completely redesign our NYC coop in Chelsea, after our daughter moved to a larger apt as her family grew. Garneau was brilliant in finding impressively innovative ideas by which to re-fashion the way that our limited space could be used. Walls were moved, cavities opened up, and all of our requirements for sleeping were met - no small feat when you're working with only 500 sq. ft.!! We can now sleep 6 adults in queen beds (yes!) with 2 entirely private areas - yet, with walls that pivot and "disappear" in the daytime, having spacious and comfortable living space. The bath is a delight, with a third more room than before. Our kitchen has both cabinet and pantry storage - and by employing a dining table that is movable and electrically height-adjustable, it doubles as a prep-table and dining table for 10 (2 successful family T'givings). A complex top-to-floor redesign was very successfully managed by AW. Robert is genial and responsive - and has already been repeatedly recommended by us to others.

We've been working with Architecture Workshop for the past year, and so far we have been very happy with their creative and intelligent design solutions, particularly storage for our Manhattan apartment. They have provided us with wonderful detailed 3d renderings and samples to showcase the look and feel, flexibility, and integrated lighting under different conditions and changes throughout the day. It has been a fun and collaborative experience figuring out a home office that can be concealed, sliding walls so rooms can be multi-purpose, a dining table that can extended from a kitchen island, our dream closet, to our foyer niche that includes storage for keys, umbrellas and accessories.

This company sure has a good eye for detail, the seamless layout and design features of their project is impeccable. Upon seeing their project for the first time I didn't realise the cleverness of the design until i went back and reviewed it. Each time seeing something new, something more brilliant within the property.