--- title: "de-spec — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/de-spec-pfvwus-pf~1736803252 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1736803252.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: de-spec category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/5473f675014764ee_3288-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "New York, New York 10001, United States" phone: "(212) 633-0029" website: https://www.theopenproject.net rating: 5 review_count: 6 years_in_business: 19 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 122 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # de-spec > New York's Award Winning & Internationally Recognized Design Firm Original Houzz profile: [de-spec](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/de-spec-pfvwus-pf~1736803252) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** New York, NY - **Serves:** New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Southampton, East Hampton, Springs, North Sea, Westhampton, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, North Haven, Amagansett, Wainscott, Sagaponack, LA Westside, Remsenburg, Suffolk county - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2023), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Published nationally - 19 years in business - Responds Quickly - Provides 3D Visualization ### Business highlights - 19 years in business - Published nationally - Best of Houzz winner - Provides 3D Visualization - Responds Quickly The Open Project is a practice exploring the intersection of architecture and art through design. It begins with Land is art. The influence of the land and the site become the primary driver of the intervention. Each project is approached as a unified work, whether ground-up or renovation, interior or exterior, architecture or landscape, all projects are conceived as a unified whole and single composition. Architecture is restrained and reduced to its essence—quiet, spatial, and material-driven—disciplined to serve as a vessel rather than a gesture. A shell for place and life. Interiors and furnishings emerge as inscriptions: expressions of the owner’s interests, history, and personal narrative. Landscape houses and stretches in and out of the Architecture as a delivery and extension. The Open Project is currently engaged in residential projects in the Hamptons and Los Angeles, spanning ground-up construction, renovations, interior, decoration and landscape. Design is approached as global rather than local. The team is based in New York and California and currently works across Florida, Connecticut, Mexico, and Italy. Our Locations: NEW YORK, NY EAST HAMPTONS, NY LOS ANGELES, CA ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Handicap-Accessible Design - Barn Design & Construction - Staircase Design - Landscape Plans - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Prefab Houses - Interior Design ### Areas Served - New York City - Brooklyn - Manhattan - Southampton - East Hampton - Springs - North Sea - Westhampton - Shelter Island - Sag Harbor - Water Mill - Bridgehampton - North Haven - Amagansett - Wainscott - Sagaponack - LA Westside - Remsenburg - Suffolk county ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - 10 million $500,000 - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | de-spec | | Address | New York, New York 10001, United States | | Phone | (212) 633-0029 | | Website | https://www.theopenproject.net | | Years in business | 19 | | Followers on Houzz | 122 | **Social profiles:** - Blog — www.theopenproject.net - Instagram — theopenprojectstudio ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [de-spec](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/de-spec-pfvwus-pf~1736803252) - **Website:** https://www.theopenproject.net - **Phone:** (212) 633-0029 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Architizer A+ Awards, 2019, 2021 ; - Best of Year Award, Interior Design Mag, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021 ; - International Interior Design Award, Interior Design Mag, 2012, 2015 ; - Innovation in Design Award, CT Country & Garden Mag, 2013 ; - Interiors Honor Award, AIANY, 2008, 2012, 2015 ; - And more - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2023), for Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 48.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 48.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — Klein, Aug. 2022** > Farnaz and her team were thorough, creative, diligent and had a clear vision they saw through from start to the finish. She has beautiful, clean taste and is highly educated in design and decorating. > She is easy to work with, professional and always follows up. Even after the original work is complete, she is there for us years later to help. She keeps her client happy and the door open for future projects. > Best experience!! **Comment from de-spec:** > Thank you for your review, the connections we make, I hope are for a lifetime. Love seeing families grow and change as yours has beautifully. ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — bluebluerayray, Oct. 2022** > Amazing sense of space. Fantastic eye. Very interested and creative. Listens well. Great sense of design. A pleasure to talk to. Highly recommend. **Comment from de-spec:** > Thank you, I enjoy collaborating with clients and working with you over the years has been great experience. **★★★★★ — Susan Cohen, Oct. 2022** > Working with De-spec has been wonderful- the vision and creativity were unlike anything I have seen- Farnaz worked tirelessly to get the job done- and to create our dream home!! **Comment from de-spec:** > Thank you, your house is looking beautiful and stunning and we wish you enjoy it with your family to it's fullest. **★★★★★ — S H, Aug. 2022** > Combination and gut renovation of two-prewar apartments in Manhattan. Partner and Principal Architect Farnaz Mansuri oversaw all aspects for the project. There was significant structural work from new subfloors, opening the main living space and reconfiguring the bedrooms as well as complete revisions and updating almost all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Farnaz took the lead in working with our building, building architect, trades people, and the city to get the project completed despite the significant obstacles and hurdles caused by the pandemic. > > In addition to her architectural expertise, Farnaz has been very collaborative and understanding of our goals. She brought a great vision and design but also heard our thoughts and needs in creating a 3 bedroom home with a central communal space for our young family to be together while creating private areas for parents and each child. She listened to our ideas and worked with us; refining and adapting our ideas when we were on the right track and editing when we were not. She understood our budget and helped us make value decisions on where to cut and where to splurge. We initially chose her for the clean, modern aesthetic we saw in her other projects and we are thrilled with the outcome. She has created a calm oasis of a home for a young family in the middle of Manhattan. The apartment flows beautifully and we are now back living in the apartment and in the final phase of furnishing. > > We cannot recommend her highly enough. **Comment from de-spec:** > Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. Your young family has been most understanding and we are happy you like your home and find it peaceful. **★★★★★ — HU-214434479, Aug. 2022** > Farnaz and de-spec were excellent partners in the renovation of our studio apartment in Soho NYC. > They inspired us to think in fresh ways about the small space and respected our wish list. > The result is a beautiful, modern, minimalist apartment with maximum usability. Plus, it has unexpected features like a spa quality bathroom, marble kitchen counter and built-in floor to ceiling closet/storage areas. **★★★★★ — Family home by the sea, July 2021** > DE-SPEC Architectural and design firm has been our team to work with to create for our family the dream home in Mexico. > We have sat for hours to talk on our vision and lifestyle in collaboration, the team has a level of understanding and can read what our needs are and what our essence is through out all the process. > Meticulous and dedicated with innovative organic ideas for a sustainable living. > I am so happy we chose Mrs Mansuri the lead architect in the team for building our family home. ## Selected projects - [GREENWICH MODERN HOUSE (WIP)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-modern-house-wip-pj-vj~7153408) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 42 - Description: (PROJECT STILL IN PROGRESS) Located on three acres of flat land off of Round Hill Road in Greenwich, Connecticut, de-spec was commissioned to seriously “de-spec” a large home originally developed as a spec house in 1995. Key aspects of the project that required fixing were oval arches and moldings of various periods; functional issues such as choppy bathrooms; and creating a laundry room on par with the demands of a six-bedroom home. Overall, the goal was to correct the typical design and develo… - [SUTTON PLACE APARTMENT (WIP)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sutton-place-apartment-wip-pj-vj~7171252) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 21 - Description: (PROJECT STILL IN PROGRESS) The complexity of renovating a New York City apartment ranges from standard issues of compliance with governmental regulations, to Coop building restrictions, but then there are the situations that are unexplainable, like two different levels in the a one bedroom apartment. To this add that the lower level units have different issues than the upper levels, such as deeper and more frequent beams, more gas or supply pipes, and so on. The mandate was to combine two apart… - [TOWN HOUSE TRIPLEX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/town-house-triplex-pj-vj~6671588) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 17 - Description: In this project, we identified the challenge of renovating a triplex as finding a way to integrate the stairs, so as to not take up the entire width of a narrow house, as well as to minimize the feeling of constantly having to run up and down to connect floors. This twelve-foot-wide townhouse consists of a cellar living room, a master bedroom suite on the upper floor, and a kitchen and dining area on the entry level. In trying to weave together these different floors, the aim of the project was… - [UPPER EAST SIDE TOWNHOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-east-side-townhouse-pj-vj~7153403) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 22 - Description: The Upper East Side Townhouses are the most coveted real estate in New York City, and the classic 15 ft wide townhouse is challenging to decorate because of its width. Within the five stories of this town house the kitchen, dining room, and den are on the ground level, living room and sunroom are on the Parlor level, while the bedrooms fill the remaining upper levels. The goal was to keep the casual, prewar spirit of the space, whilst maintaining contemporary furnishings, textures, and colors. T… - [CASA HORIZONTE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-horizonte-pj-vj~6671654) - Location: Beverly Hills, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: Casa Horizonte is a holiday house perched on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The house sits on a 10,000-square-foot property, surrounded by a beautifully raw and almost untouched landscape. The house was designed to disappear and meld into the landscape. The location of this project is in: Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico The common living spaces of the home were designed to accentuate different features of the landscape and surroundings. The main living room is shaded under the roof, while the second livi… - [HAMPTONS DESIGN BUILD HOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hamptons-design-build-house-pj-vj~6671612) - Location: East Hampton, NY - Photos: 13 - Description: This house was developed with the intention of developing a ‘readymade’ house or ‘design build’. This is as a counter point to the ‘spec house’ which eliminated the thoughtful architectural process and does not represent a quality in design and construction often required for artful building. The ground floor consists of an open floor plan with living room, dining room and kitchen facing the garden, the ceiling are 14’ with minimal sliding glass walls that turn the corner to dematerialize the so… - [UPPER EAST SIDE RESIDENCE, NEW YORK](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-east-side-residence-new-york-pj-vj~6880103) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 18 - Description: The renovation of this 3700-square-foot home centered around opening up a traditional upper east side apartment into an ‘open plan’ layout more in the tradition of the conversions of industrial lofts into living lofts. The transformation of traditional apartments into modern spaces meets with many challenges, one of which is the ‘wet over dry rules’, maintenance of ‘riser walls’ and the banging steam pipes. The first part of the project is a jigsaw puzzle around the remaining core elements. Arch… - [MADISON AVENUE APARTMENT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/madison-avenue-apartment-pj-vj~245198) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 15 - Description: Full renovation of a 3,000-square-foot house on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side. The task for this project was to convert a classic pre-war apartment into a four-bedroom apartment, with an eat-in kitchen, dining room, living room, office and library. The surgery also included the reconstruction of walls to support the programmatic needs of the client, specifically having ample space to display a collection of contemporary art. The layout of the residence was adjusted to create a flow from… - [MILLBROOK BARN & COTTAGE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/millbrook-barn-and-cottage-pj-vj~6671693) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 28 - Description: The Millbrook Barn project consisted of the complete renovation of a 3,300 sq ft dilapidated barn and chicken coop, located behind a small farm house in Millbrook, New York. As the smaller main house could not accommodate space for the children to play, the family wanted to update their unused space to create an expansive indoor playroom and gathering space. The strategy for this project was to renovate the barn and pool house using sustainable and reclaimed materials, to produce an intersection… - [PERRY STREET LOFT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/perry-street-loft-pj-vj~194893) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 8 - Description: The conversion of a 1,400-square-foot West Village basement into a habitable loft and garden. This project entailed the complete renovation of a basement unit of a former industrial building, located on Perry Street in the West Village. The partially below grade loft space was created by excavating a new, private stairwell entrance which punctured the foundation wall. The strategy in the renovation was to transform the entrance so that one could enter directly from the garden through an intimate… - [PARK AVENUE DUPLEX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/park-avenue-duplex-pj-vj~197598) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Renovation of a 3,500-square-foot duplex apartment on Park Avenue in the Upper East Side. The renovation of this Park Avenue duplex sought to adapt a large, pre-war apartment to comfortably suit the needs of a modern family with three children. On the 11th and 12th floors of the building, this four bedroom, three bathroom apartment includes a living room, dining room, kitchen and maid’s quarters. Central to this family’s needs, however, was the addition of two new home offices, as both the husba… - [GREENWICH CONTEMPORARY HOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-contemporary-house-pj-vj~194935) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Full renovation of a 7,500-square-foot house in Greenwich, Connecticut. A somewhat generic home in Greenwich, Connecticut needed to be de-spec’d and personalized. As an art advisor at JM Schlank Art Advisory, homeowner Josephine Schlank envisioned a design that would accommodate her family of five, as well as an extensive collection of contemporary art. In a collaboration with architect and designer Farnaz Mansuri, the two set about a plan for renovation which organized the space around the disp… - [SYCAMORE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sycamore-pj-vj~7005556) - Location: Springs, NY - Photos: 15 - [MID-CENTURY HAMPTONS HOUSE (WIP)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-hamptons-house-wip-pj-vj~7153413) - Location: East Hampton, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: (PROJECT STILL IN PROGRESS) When De-Spec was approached about renovating a midcentury modern home in the Hamptons, the strategy was to maintain the rounded corners, floating volume, one-story structure and simply modernize its interior. Adding a bedroom and a garage without changing the house’s vibe, it is an evolved midcentury modern for contemporary living and more industrial windows, black steel with panes. - [BROADWAY LOFT (WIP)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/broadway-loft-wip-pj-vj~7153492) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 2 - Description: (PROJECT IN PROGRESS) The loft is located in SoHo, in a cast-iron building from 1895 that has been named a New City Landmark. The existing façade has been preserved, while the apartment interior was completely renovated respecting the historic detailing. The project entailed a reconfiguration of the floor plan, refinishing, and decor. The goal was to conserve the openness and character of the loft as far as scale and materials while adding one more bedroom and two bathrooms. The 12’ tall, vaulte… - [THE PENINSULA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-peninsula-pj-vj~7006265) - Location: Edgewater, NJ - Photos: 26 - Description: For this three-building condominium development only 15 years old, de-spec was hired to lead a $10-million overhaul including three new lobbies, a lounge, a children’s playroom, a roof garden and the interiors for four model apartments. Situated along New Jersey waterfront with phenomenal views of the sunrise behind New York City’s skyline, the lobbies are clad with stone, so as to mimic the experience of entering the belly of Palisades Cliffside, and accentuate North-South openings which frame… - [CENTRAL PARK DUPLEX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/central-park-duplex-pj-vj~7153511) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: Located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Central Park West, 2000-square-foot duplex was converted from a one studio on 9th floor and one bedroom on 8th floor and combined into a duplex two bedroom with 2.5 bathrooms, living room, dining room and laundry room. The strategy was to open up and combine the two units into one, but the challenge was that the two units were not exactly lining up and the opening for the stairway was tight and making an open sculptural stair challenging. Client having s… - [GREENWICH TRADITIONAL KITCHEN](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-traditional-kitchen-pj-vj~7154267) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 8 - Description: Partial renovation of kitchen in Greenwich, CT. - [Pembroke street residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pembroke-street-residence-pj-vj~7859840) - Location: East Hampton, NY - Photos: 10 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/de-spec-pfvwus-pf~1736803252) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/1201931327.m3u8?s=d62aa3e661d077521b54975ea2f5236839f9f241&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What types of projects do you specialize in (custom homes, remodels, additions)?** We specialize in a wide range of residential projects, including custom homes, new home construction, and significant renovations and additions. Our expertise also extends to interior design, landscape architecture, and specialized projects like ADUs, guesthouses, and pool houses, always approaching each as a unified work. **Do you provide full-service architectural services through construction?** Yes, we offer comprehensive architectural services that guide you from initial concept through to construction. We believe in a unified approach, ensuring that every aspect of your project, from architectural design to interiors and landscape, is seamlessly integrated and executed to our high standards. **Do you design fully custom homes?** Absolutely. Designing fully custom homes is a core part of our practice. We approach each project as a unique, unified work, deeply influenced by the land and your personal narrative, to create a home that is truly bespoke and reflects your vision from the ground up. **Do you specialize in specific architectural styles?** Our approach is defined by a philosophy rather than a specific historical style. We create architecture that is restrained, quiet, spatial, and material-driven, serving as a vessel for place and life. Our designs are deeply influenced by the land and site, ensuring each project is a unique, unified composition. **Do you have experience with luxury or high-end homes?** Yes, we have extensive experience with luxury and high-end residential projects. Our portfolio includes ground-up construction and renovations in discerning markets like the Hamptons and Los Angeles. Our award-winning work reflects our commitment to sophisticated, artful design that is both spatial and material-driven. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the color of the trim?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: BENJAMIN MOORE DOVE WHITE ALL OVER **Q: This light!** *(in Photo Questions)* Great space! Is this light available to order? A: we have one in stock and they can be ordered. Please email info@de-spec.com. thank you, we are glad you like it. **Q: What is the depth of the built in closets next to the window?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: this cabinet is for folding / drawers and is 18" deep. **Q: Beautiful wall color** *(in Photo Questions)* do you recall what white you used? love that color A: white dove by benjamin moore **Q: wall color** *(in Photo Questions)* what is the color white on walls? Beautiful A: white dove by Benjamin moore **Q: Can you tell me the width of this room? Thanks much.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Narrow... but this is an extra long twin mattress, Around 96" wide. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*