AN’s annual resource list may be published every year but it is never the same. Painstakingly drawn from extensive interviews by our editors with the architects and builders of the best architecture of 2011, these names are the too-often unacknowledged cornerstones that guarantee the quality and excellence of today’s architecture. We both herald and share them with you.
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General Contractor / Project Manager |
Arroyo Contracting Corp. |
Lavada |
Schimenti |
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Penn Medicine / L.F. Driscoll / Rafael Viñoly (left); Film Society / Yorke Construction / Rockwell Group (right).
Brad Feinkopf (left) AND Albert Vecerka/Esto (right)
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“Arroyo Contracting did a good job on the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator. It was a complicated project with many angled walls and corners. They looked into new ways of working, moving from their background in traditional design to contemporary design.” Harel Edery
Mosza |
“Graciano has experienced masons that know how to work with terracotta and its reinstallation, using pieces that were reconditioned and some that were brand new.” Joe Coppola
Dattner Architects |
“We were fortunate to have RC Dolner build the Atrium. They had just finished the Greek and Roman galleries at the Met; we were confident they could make elegant and refined traditional detailing. At the Atrium they were able to apply their same high standards in a modern setting.” Tod Williams
Tod Williams + Billie Tsien Architects |
“Yorke’s level of service was outstanding. The site superintendent in particular was exemplary and always in contact with us about how the construction was affecting the design. That attitude then filtered down to the contractor and subcontractors.” Michael Fischer
Rockwell Group |
Centra at Metropark / DeSimone / KPF.|
Engineers |
Civil/Environmental
Geotechnical
MEP
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Fiskaa Engineering Multidisciplinary
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Weidlinger Associates Structural
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Milstein Hall, Cornell University / Robert Silman Associates / OMA.
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“John Riner of PW Grosser is one of the handful of consultants in this area who has substantial experience with open loop wells.” Michael Tucker
Beyer Blinder BellE
“We have worked on several historic buildings in New York, but when they are as high profile or popular as the Puck Building, you need a consultant who understands these types of spaces. EBM Structural Engineers is one of the preeminent firms in New York with vast experience in adaptive reuse in a historic context. We worked with Ken Eipel and Rich Grabowski on the REI Soho project and their expertise as historians on New York architecture made them valuable partners for Callison.” David Curtis
Callison |
“Joseph R. Loring and Associates anticipated issues at NYU SCPS and worked creatively with the design team to insert contemporary mechanical systems into an existing building with a complex new program.” Carol Loewenson
Mitchell/Giurgola Architects
“Cantor Seinuk developed a core outrigger wall design that eliminated a lot of sheer walls, which helped a lot with the very complicated unit layouts at 8 Spruce. We just find them to be the best when it comes to structural engineers.” Joe Recchichi
Forest City Ratner Companies |
“Edward Messina at Severud Associates is known as ‘Fast Eddie’ around our business because you call him up and he’s right over.” Henry Smith-Miller
Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects
“DeSimone designed the tree column and the big spans for Centra. It was a big effort to make that happen. They’re a really great engineering firm, and one thing that they’re great at is keeping the design team and client comfortable with very complicated things and also working with the construction team, while keeping everything on schedule.” Lloyd Sigal and Hugh Trumbull
KPF |
“The North Carolina Museum of Art is really all about daylight, and Arup did an extraordinary job calculating the amount of natural and artificial light and how it combined throughout the space.” Thomas Phifer
Thomas Phifer and Partners
“At Clyfford Still, everything you see is structure. So KPFF's role was very key, especially in translating the structural design so it would be read in the perforated ceilings where the tolerances were very tricky, combined with reinforcing with rebar to maintain a crack-free finish.” Chris Bixby
Allied Works Architecture |
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Facade & curtain wall |
Consultants
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Manufacturers/ Installers
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Island International Exterior Fabricators |
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Buffalo Courthouse / Dewhurst Macfarlane / KPF (left); Via Verde / FRONT / Grimshaw/Dattner Architects (right).
david seide (left) AND Robert Garneau (right)
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“Gordon Smith is a tried and true Manhattan curtain wall consultant. He kept us out of trouble and found good value for the wall at Centra. We could barely afford a curtain wall for this building and he helped us sneak it in and detail it really well so we can sleep at night.” Lloyd Sigal and Hugh Trumbull
KPF |
“There’s a learning curve on installing a European curtain wall system. Architectural Metal Fabricators took a real interest in jumping in and getting a technical understanding of the system.” Henry Smith-Miller
Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects
“Front was the key to unlocking the prefab facade at Via Verde. It cost a bit more, but it was faster to put together on site. They helped us translate that.” Robert Garneau
Grimshaw Architects |
“They protected me! At 8 Spruce, the extremely unique wall was largely aesthetically driven but it's just as advanced in performance and Heitmann took care of everything behind the wall in terms of feasibility, budget and schedule.” Joe Recchichi
Forest City Ratner Companies
“Island Fabrications knows how to bring all the components together; they ordered material globally and fabricated them locally.” Bill Stein
Dattner Architects |
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Fittings & Furniture |
Carpet & Textile
Custom Fixtures & Signage
Doors & Frames
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PK-30 System Furniture
Hardware
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Kitchen & Bath
Laboratory Casework
Vintage Furniture
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Louise Nevelson Plaza / John Lewis Glass / Smith-miller + Hawkinson Architects (left); 8 Spruce / Gehry Partners (right).
Michael Moran (left) AND Courtesy Forest City Ratner (right)
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Glass |
3form |
Lhotsky |
Skyline Sky-Lites |
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“Interior glass subcontractor A-Val worked creatively to ensure design intent in extremely complex conditions including the three-story open elliptical stair at the NYU SCPS.” Carol Loewenson
Mitchell/Giurgola Architects |
“You can get good window R-value in the United States but you can’t get the quality of high solar heat gain as you can with Walch. The combination is unmatched.” Sam Bargetz
Loadingdock 5 |
“CBO out of Buffalo did the glass veil and other curtain wall systems for the Buffalo Courthouse. The most difficult part was printing the Constitution on the glass with ceramic fritting. It took a lot of editing and laying it out and a very long time on our side and theirs.” Bill Pedersen
KPF |
“John Lewis Glass would work closely with Tony Dominski at West Edge Metal. Even though it was a custom bench, it was even more custom because of the collaboration of the two firms.” Scot Teti
Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects |
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Sustainability |
Airside Solutions
Brownfield Consultant
Consultants
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BVM Engineering |
Green Roofs
Solar
SOLAR SHADING
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David Rubenstein Atrium / steven winter associates / Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.
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“Aircuity did the recovery wheels and air handlers at Penn Medicine. Their system helped the owner meet their energy goals. It monitors the occupancy and the amount of CO2 in a space and optimizes the number of air changes so you wind up saving energy and money.” Jim Herr
Rafael Viñoly Architects |
“Crescent was good in assisting the contractor in LEED complience during construction and helped focus the team on elements that really mattered.” Michael Tucker
Beyer Blinder Bell
“Bright Power did a great job of administering and coordinating the LEED application and they were responsible for designing the photovotaic system which was an important part of the building's design.” Bill Stein
Dattner Architects |
“We used Veridian as the sustainability consultant on Centra. Originally, we were just aiming for LEED certification. Now the numbers are coming in and they're very good. It looks like we're going to get Platinum.” Lloyd Sigal and Hugh Trumbull
KPF “Julie Bargmann of D.I.R.T.’s knowledge of brown fields, Navy Yards, and their detritus, was a really nice fit.” Matt Berman
workshop/apd |
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Metal |
AccuFab |
Firestone |
Paul C. Steck |
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NItehawk cinema / Maloya Laser / Caliper Studio (left); Brooklyn Navy Yard / Ferra Design / workshop/APD and Beyer Blinder Belle (right).
Ty Cole / OTTO (left) AND Robert Garneau (right)
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“Armstrong worked closely with us in providing customized, perforated metal ceiling panels that met the design intent of the Frick Chemistry Laboratory. Additionally, they did a excellent job field coordinating the installation of those panels with adjacent elements.” Chris Stansfield
Payette Architects “The project involved finishing hundreds of custom fabricated steel elements—KC Fabrications was extremely flexible with the schedule and was able to turn around material on short notice. They are always willing to do what is necessary to achieve the highest quality finish work.” Charles Wolf
Dean/Wolf Architects |
“For custom metal work that requires demanding precision and meticulous crafting, Metalman is an invaluable resource. If you can't find the right piece of hardware from a manufacturer, he will design and fabricate a custom piece to fit the requirement.” Charles Wolf
Dean/Wolf Architects
“Mani from Millenium Steel is very accurate, and very budget-oriented. We worked with him before. He was able to make big steel pivot pieces.” Jeremy Edmiston
SYSTEMarchitects |
“We sent our drawings of pleated metal panels to a few people and got the impression that something custom would be too expensive. But a rep introduced us to Gage, who worked with our contractors to make our designs for the panels in a cost competitive way.” Michael Fischer
Rockwell Group |
Americano / Propylaea Millwork / ten arquitectos.
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Wood |
Custom Fabrication/ Carpentry
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Ivory Build |
Tom Kozlowski Suppliers
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aA Shelter / ShoreTech Manufacturing/Tom Kozlowski / SYSTEMarchitects.
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“The careful execution of the FSC certified teak screens and planters at Carnegie Hill House resulted from the close collaboration between our design team and Ivory Build. Their skill and rigorous approach to craft enabled us to unify this sequence of outdoor spaces through the meticulous stacking and subtle articulation of teak slats.” Thomas Woltz
Nelson, Byrd and Woltz |
“Bob Seetin is irrepressible and has a 'bring it on' attitude. He created the metal tables, wine racks, and counters we needed for the Film Society cafe quickly and even joyfully, turning everything around within a few weeks.” Michael Fischer
Rockwell Group “Tom Kozlowski is an exceptional carpenter. He was able to think around unpredicted problems. He comes up with very straightforward and quick solutions. It no longer looks like construction work, it starts to resemble millwork.” Jeremy Edmiston
SYSTEMarchitects |
“A pivotal design goal for REI Soho was the adaptive reuse of the materials from the existing historic Puck Building and its subsequent transformation into a retail space. Callison’s vision from the outset was to bring the space back to its original context, from the wood cladding that was repurposed from the interior brick piers to the timber from the ceiling above the ground floor that was remilled and reused for the monumental staircase treads. Terra Mai was a collaborative partner through the entire reuse process providing expert guidance and advice.” David Curtis
Callison |
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Lighting |
Designers
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Kugler Ning Fixtures
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BEGA |
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North Carolina Museum of Art / Fisher Marantz stone / Thomas Phifer and Partners/Pierce Brinkley Cease + Lee (left); Buffalo Courthouse / Tillotson / KPF (center); Sunshine Incubator / Lighting by Gregory / Studio Mosza (right).
Iwan Baan (left); david seide (center); AND Ori Dubow (right)
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“Paul Marantz's lighting design is one of the most mesmerizing aspects of the 9/11 Memorial and plaza.” Matthew Donham
PWP Landscape Architecture
“A company in California called Holly Solar fabricated the LED lights in the facade of the Nitehawk Cinema. It’s a small little company, but they do custom light fixtures. They’re good.” Stephen Lynch
Caliper Studio |
“Kugler Ning is on board with understanding the world architects work in—working with tectonics—to create the right effect. Sometimes lighting designers can be more interested in the fixtures than the final effect. Kugler Ning helped to make the lighting fixtures disappear.” Scot Teti
Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects |
“We worked with Lumen Arch on the lighting design of Penn Medicine. They just did a fabulous job. We implemented a lot of lighting controls, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and things of that nature in the labs to bring down the energy usage and Lumen really knew their way around those systems.” Jim Herr
Rafael Viñoly Architects |
“We worked with Lighting By Gregory who helped us get the most energy efficient fixtures for the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator. We as architects know what’s out there, but Lighting By Gregory opened our eyes to more LED opportunities.” Harel Edery
Mosza |
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Inverted Warehouse Townhouse / Paul Warchol Photography / Dean/Wolf Architects (left); Museum of the Moving Image / Peter Aaron/Esto / Leeser Architecture (right).
Paul Warchol Photography (left) AND peter aaron/esto (right)
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Photography |
Esto Photographics |
JoPo Photography |
Scott Frances |
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City Center Facade Restoation / Boston Valley / Terra Cotta / dattner architects (left); Tashan / Stone Source / Archi-tectonics (right).
Aislinn Weidele/Ennead Architects (left) AND don pearse photopgraphers (right)
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Concrete, Masonry, Stone, & Tile |
ADM Concrete Construction |
Helical Line Products |
Reginald D. Hough Concrete Construction |
Milstein Hall / Reginald Hough/The Pike Company / OMA.
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“Peter Dagostino at ADM Concrete made it possible to get the building up. He coordinated everything. ADM is a very smart company and did a quick job.” Werner Morath
Loadingdock 5 “Boston Valley is one of the premier companies to go to for very careful matching of terracotta.” Joe Coppola
Dattner Architects |
“The excellent stone work by Port Morris Tile & Marble helped us make this a place of permanence and beauty. They worked with our vision and found the spectacular green marble for the benches.” Tod Williams
Tod Williams Billie Tsien
“The slate siding from Vermont Structural Slate was naturally resistant to spray paint.” Amy Yang
Toshiko Mori |
“We used Reginald Hough as a concrete consultant for Milstein Hall. They came in during construction process to facilitate the subcontractor, Pike, and help us to decide on some of the materials to test and techniques to use. The lower levels have a smooth concrete dome ceiling with integrated lighting. Because it is both architecture and structure, it required a very precise installation method. Hough was invaluable in achieving that.” Ziad Shehab
OMA |
DiMenna Center for Classical Music / Akustiks / H3/Hardy Collaboration Architecture.
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Consultants |
A/V & Acoustics
Blast Consultant
Commissioning
Cost Estimator
Fire Protection/ Code Consulting
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Montroy Andersen DeMarco Food Facility Planning
Green Wall
Historic Preservation
IT/Telecommunications
Laboratory Planning
Landmarks
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Owners Representative
Radiant Consulting Services
Security
Specifications
Theatrical
Turf and Sports Regulations
Vertical Transportation
Wind Analysis
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Penn Park / Stantec / michael van valkenburgh associates.
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“Acoustic Dimensions was great. They were really hands on, heavily involved in the Nitehawk. We have apartments above the movie theater so acoustic isolation is a big part of this project. They designed the second floor’s ceiling to hang on springs. They also tested the sound transmission when it was all done and you can’t hear a thing.” Stephen Lynch
Caliper Studio
“Richard Demarco is the most informed architect in New York City about building code and law. This guy is a joy to work with.” Henry Smith-Miller
Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects |
“Clarity Custom is a terrific 'full system' provider and installer who took the lead on specifying A/V equipment and lighting control systems. There was an excellent interface with the general contractor and architect to minimize coordination issues. Clarity did a great job of integrating hardware, wiring and controls in a project where every detail matters.” Charles Wolf
Dean/Wolf Architects
“Building Conservation Associates have areas of expertise that bring refinement and an ability to find the resources.” Joe Coppola
Dattner Architects |
“At the Museum of the Moving Image, Scharff/ Weisberg and Jaffe Holden had a real hand in setting the stage to accommodate different uses in terms of all the data and audio visual systems that allow the museum to be a plug + play environment.” Simon Arnold
Leeser Architecture
“Bob Powers is very keen in navigating the historic restoration tax break. He's tech savvy and politically savvy, which helps get city, state, and federal approvals.” Frank Grauman
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson |
“Laurent Corradi of Vertical Garden Technology has created two grand and beautiful green walls that are loved by all. His knowledge of the botany and technical aspects of plant walls will insure that these features will thrive for generations to come.” Tod Williams
Tod Williams + Billie Tsien
“The Musuem of the Moving Image faced a lot of challenges not to mention being a publicly-funded project in hard economic times. Levien took it all in stride and helped us meet the extra demands on budget cutting without sacrificing quality.” Simon Arnold
Leeser Architecture |
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Other Services & Suppliers |
Arborist
Art Restoration
Artist Casework
Curtain Design
Custom Fabrication
Custom Materials
Electrical
Graphic Design/Signage & Wayfinding
Enclosure Testing / Facade Maintenance
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Entek Engineering Epoxy Specialists and Supply
Felt artist Finishes and Coatings
Fountain Consultant
Heat Recovery Ventilator
Interior Decoration
Irrigation Distributor
Landscaping
Light Fixture Restoration
Modular Units
Murals
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Nursery
Painting & Epoxy Installation
Plastic Lumber
Plastics
Radiant Systems
Riggers to the Arts
Security
Security Bollards/ Traffic Barriers
Theatrical Equipment
Vertical Transportation
Waterproofing Systems
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museum of the moving image / karlssonwilker / leeser architecture (left); Metrotech / Delta Scientific / WXY (right).
peter aaron/esto (left) AND courtesy wxy (right)
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“At Queens Plaza, we collaborated with Michael Singer, an artist whose commitment to the public realm complements Margie Ruddick's environmental sensibility for landscape. He designed and produced special pre-cast components integrated into the architecture of new social spaces that withstand the site's powerful infrastructural presence.” Linda Pollak
Marpillero Pollak Architects |
“Claudy Jongtstra’s artistry is present in two monumental tapestries that cover both long walls of the Atrium. These extraordinary artworks were made possible by her artistic vision as much as her involvement in the technical aspect, managing all from Europe.” Tod Williams
Tod Williams + Billie Tsien Architects
“Fountain consultant Dan Euser is really familiar with the potentials and limits of water dynamics. He's visionary in terms of creating things of beauty and simplicity.” Matthew Donham
PWP Landscape Architecture |
“When the graphic designers Karlssonwilker joined the team, the design of the Museum of the Moving Image was fairly well resolved, but they were able to complement and add to its strength in a way that carried through the branding of the entire institution” Simon Arnold
Leeser Architecture
“The reception desk at the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator is custom designed and Panelite made it easy for me because they built a model on site for approval and I was able to see our 3-D computer drawings in real life before the desk was fabricated.” Harel Edery
Mosza |