I continue to keep active in the ever changing NYC building codes, including: Fire, Mechanical, Zoning, MTA, Department of Environmental Protection and the Parks Department. In order to build a new house in Brooklyn, there are a series of procedures that must be met, that are being updated based on current events: Flooding, Landmarks, Congestion, and City Planning. Over the last several years, I have been able to maintain a small office, concentrating on single family houses in Brooklyn, with a few in New York City. Being an Architect in Brooklyn, requires one to keep up constantly with new codes and procedures. While working on these project it has allowed me to keep current in my field and disseminate this knowledge to my students. Many of the sites and projects I have incorporated into the classroom discussions and site visits. This practice is used solely to further expand my teaching and knowledge while providing opportunities to share this work with my students on many levels. I do not receive compensation financially for this work. The payment for this work is being used to pay insurance, consultant fees and business expenses.
In the field of Architecture, especially in New York City, peer review is at every stage. Unlike many fields that publish articles, manuscripts or books, Architecture not only publishes drawings that become public record, but a final edifice is erected permanently.
The Architect must meet with the clients and design a house that works with the needs of the family, their budget and meets all the requirements of New York City. The Architect is also responsible for coordinating all the different trades drawings so that the plumbing lines, vents and ductwork and kitchen cabinets all work in the space and do not create a conflict. The Architect is also responsible for preparing drawings and reviewing them for all codes. These drawings are reivewed by a Department of Buildings Plans Examiner (an Architect or Engineer), a City Planner for zoning issues, an Department of Buildings Excavation Engineer for foundations, Department of Environmental Protection Engineer will review for sewer and water connections, Park Department Planner will review for street tree placements, and the Department of Transportation Engineer will review sidewalk and curb cuts. Before any construction may begin, all of these items must be met. The Architect is responsible for the life safety issues related to the project. The final drawings for construction have been peer reviewed by many people looking at the drawings for all sorts of different items.
Once the drawings are approved, the construction can begin. This is months or years of site visits, redesigning, and monitoring for safety and compliance with the approved drawings.
Creating a new house, is not a simple project and requires the collaboration of many trades and individuals. The final edifice is a building that has taken many steps to get to and each time, so much is learned that I bring back to the classroom.
Here are a few of my latest projects:
101 + 103 Boerum Place, Brooklyn, NY: New Construction
In-fill lot on Union Street, Brooklyn, NY: New Construction
99 Boerum Place/242 Pacific Street: New Construction –
Private Single Family, Brooklyn, NY: Landmark Renovation Featured in New York Times
Post Sandy Single Family Renovation Long Island, NY
