Scope

EDG was crucial in providing interior design services for a substantial 25,000-square-foot office project. The process started by closely collaborating with the client to identify the most suitable space that aligns with their requirements. EDG visited multiple properties, produced preliminary plans to assess seating capacity, and did preliminary pricing exercises to understand project feasibility. Additionally, they liaised with the property owner to gain insights into the unique challenges associated with each space. Considering that the client was a trading company, the program encompassed a comprehensive range of areas, including office spaces, open offices to foster collaboration, dedicated collaborative spaces, a vibrant café, and a well-equipped food service kitchen. EDG’s involvement throughout the process ensured that the design explicitly catered to the client’s needs, resulting in a harmonious and functional workspace.

Impact

Scope

This property is an iconic building and national monument in the Greenwich Village Historic District in Manhattan. A complete survey of the façade was performed to evaluate the existing conditions, and detailed repair plans were prepared to perform necessary maintenance work to the building exterior. Great care was taken during the specification of repair materials/methods due to the building’s historical prominence and the necessity for maintaining the façade’s historic properties. The repair work was filed with the D.O.B. and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Approach

This property is an iconic building and national monument in the Greenwich Village Historic District in Manhattan. A complete survey of the façade was performed to evaluate the existing conditions, and detailed repair plans were prepared to perform necessary maintenance work to the building exterior. Great care was taken during the specification of repair materials/methods due to the building’s historical prominence and the necessity for maintaining the façade’s historic properties. The repair work was filed with the D.O.B. and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Impact

Scope

We initially performed a property analysis for this entire city block, from street-to-street and avenue-to-avenue, between Madison and Fifth Avenues. Our goal was to unlock the maximum value of the property by utilizing the maximum allowable floor area, repurposing existing space, and increase parking on the site. As a result, our work includes designing approximately 170,000 sq.ft. in total new floor area and renovating 48,000 sq.ft. as part of over 10 projects throughout the development site.

Approach

The owner previously retained two other consultants who determined only 20,000 sq.ft. of the remaining FAR could be used. We revisited the original zoning analysis performed on the existing site and found multiple locations available to construct approximately 170,000 sq.ft. of gross floor area. Our work also included navigating the Harlem-East Harlem Special Purpose District, as well as recent rezonings and the original zoning at construction. We looked at the site holistically, carefully examining the existing building’s operations, while considering the seamless integration of the proposed buildings. We also considered structural considerations for all proposed work.

Impact

Our high-level understanding of zoning and building design experience gives us the advantage of having a complete picture of a development site. For this project, we navigated a large number of zoning and code considerations, including subdividing the site. We de-risked dozens of potential issues on an incredibly complex site to make the development possible. As a result of our initial work finding ways to capture the full underutilized FAR, we are currently designing the reprogramming of 48,000 sq.ft. of ground floor spaces, including: retail, commercial and community facility space; a 60-car parking garage expansion; additional commercial/community facility space; the consolidation of lobbies to recapture floor area; as well as the design of a new 19-story residential tower.

Scope

The property extends block-to-block and avenue-to-avenue, with 280 units in two nearly-identical buildings. The existing buildings are situated off-center on the lot, creating an awkward 60-ft. rear yard. Site challenges included complicated zoning issues, a sloping site, parking constraints, as well as the impact of an addition on the existing structure. After seeing our success on another project in Queens, the client retained us to do an investigation of the site’s development potential. Two other architects had previously assessed the property and determined they could only build a small, 30-unit building on the corner of the lot.

Approach

With every project, we know there is a puzzle to solve and that anything is possible. We carefully navigate the Zoning and Building Code, which is often misunderstood, and involve the Department of Buildings in our analysis to ensure compliance. For this project, we obtained three “pre-considerations” from the Department of Buildings to clarify zoning issues that could later affect the project’s feasibility.

Impact

EDG planned a completely new structure where other consultants saw only a large backyard and an unsightly view of the back of a building. With our Zoning and Building Code expertise, we designed a compliant addition that spanned over 600 ft. in length. With two new building segments, our investigation enabled adding 180 units to the property. Ultimately over 150 units will be built. In addition to providing planning and architectural schematic documents, we are the project’s structural engineers and owner’s representative.

Scope

The project was for the property assessment and site planning of four zoning lots with existing buildings on the waterfront in Long Island City, Queens. The subject property extends street-to-street, encompassing two corners, and is an Inclusionary Housing site. Massing and 3D renderings were prepared. We are currently in schematic design for the new building.

Approach

The size of the site gave us some flexibility, however the existing buildings on the site created constraints. We needed to be sure that our proposed lot merger didn’t create a new non-conformance with yards or distances between buildings. The property also had a portion of the site with a Landmarks designation, and although we were able to work the design around the boundaries, we worked with Landmarks to ensure compliance.

Impact

Ultimately, we determined that the site had approximately 200,000 sq. ft. available and usable, far greater than the owner’s original estimate of 60,000 sq. ft., provided by their previous architect. Yards and courts were carefully navigated to maximize the use of floor area on the site, while providing maximum and minimum building dimensions that lend well to the future design of the apartments. The site is in a flood zone, so residential occupancy is not permitted at ground floor, and the site is not on a retail corridor, so we dug in deeper for ground floor use. We utilized the existing occupancy at the ground floor, looking to lower the use from existing manufacturing to public parking, which will be of great benefit with the new ferry opening nearby.

Scope

At the heart of Manhattan’s east side, the 36-story residential tower in Kips Bay offers unbeatable comfort and convenience. Interested in maximizing the value of existing spaces, real estate agency Kibel engaged EDG to renovate approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of the property’s shared roof and ground plaza areas. EDG’s architectural and engineering team collaborated on extensive planning, design, and construction administration to reinvigorate the aesthetics and functionality at 300 East 34th Street.

Approach

EDG navigated complicated building codes, conducted structural analysis, and explored possibilities to re-purpose existing components to achieve a cohesive, welcoming design. On the ground plaza, the team introduced carefully considered geometry and materials to existing site elements. On the roof, the team retrofit a previously inaccessible space by extending elevators, transforming mechanical rooms into amenity space, and reviewing the impact of increased loading of the existing roof.

Impact

With meticulously planned architectural and structural moves, EDG unlocked the potential of the residential tower’s community spaces. The building’s 300+ residents now return home through a distinct landmark piazza, where lively congregation fosters a rich civic space. The plan enhances accessibility, visibility, and capacity – while maximizing retail potential and developing a signature design on the ground plane. Thirty-six floors above, residents enjoy an exquisitely curated 360° panorama of Manhattan’s skyline, accompanied by a pristine pool, lush gardens and pergolas.

Scope

The Pavilion bar and nightclub is an icon of Fire Island Pines, one of New York’s favorite summertime getaways since the 1950s. In 2011, a devastating fire destroyed the original Pavilion, and EDG was brought on to serve as the structural engineer for the new 8,000-sq.ft. structure. We worked alongside award-winning architectural designer HWKN who crafted a dramatic design to honor the legendary site.

Approach

With the building’s three-dimensional surfaces and angular form, timber construction proved more challenging than typical construction methods, but our experience designing with a wide range of materials allowed us to successfully develop a unique timber framing system. We also worked with local contractors to determine best practices and preferred materials for the area during the design phase. The mass timber structure is comprised almost entirely of renewable wood resources, from the timber piles and pile caps, to the floors, roof, walls, and all other exposed surfaces.

Impact

It includes a terrace, outdoor bar and lounge, indoor bar, and dance floor with bleachers at each end, as well as a gym and three retail spaces. Although the venue regularly serves as a club and hosts parties at night, the space is also used for performances, as an art gallery, and even a wedding chapel in the daytime. To celebrate the Pines’ beloved beach culture, the design incorporates exposed-wood surfaces and structural materials throughout, creating the perfect beach backdrop for any event.

Scope

For this project, we worked with award-winning architectural designer, Steve Blatz. We performed the structural design for the gut renovation of a 6,000-square-foot apartment and a 5,000-square-foot addition of vegetative green roof space and landscaped roof decks. We investigated the existing structure for the remediation of construction defects and managed legal work associated with the penthouse addition and structural support of the green roof and roof decks.

Approach

After finding evidence of issues with the existing construction, we performed probes to identify the defects. Had we waited to investigate the structure, like many consultants do, we would have needed to completely redesign the project during construction, halting work and increasing the budget. This project included extensive interior alterations, where structural work involved a new interior courtyard, interior column removals, and reinforcement of existing structural elements. The roof decks were required to be independently supported so that loading was not transferred to the cast iron frame.

Impact

All of the construction defects were handled without having to demolish any of the existing structure, which saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. All new work was carefully designed so the existing cast iron framing was not used as structural support, and apartments below were not affected. The contractor for the project was impressed by EDG’s communication with them, as well as our focus on constructability, and has since recommended us on several projects.

Scope

The Victoria’s Secret retail store in Herald Square recently expanded their ground floor space by 30,000 sq. ft., taking over the entire basement and cellar floor as well as the fourth and fifth floors of the building. As part of the alteration, we designed the renovation to the existing floors, portions of the sidewalk vault space, and the fourth and fifth floors for conversion to storage, requiring a floor load increase. The project also included a sky bridge in the building’s courtyard on the fourth and fifth floors, which required façade alterations.

Approach

Prior to EDG’s involvement, another firm designed a repair to the 100-year-old basement for a new retail space. After reviewing the report and plans, we conducted our own assessment, performing probes and a historical review of the structure, to determine the Building Code construction requirements when the building was constructed in 1909. Prior to even probing the structure, we determined that it had significant additional capacity based on its original design.

Impact

Probes confirmed our expectations; the basement was constructed of very heavy steel and exhibited minimal deterioration. Savings over the original estimates were about 1 million dollars and the work was completed in a fraction of the time, so the store could open earlier than anticipated. Our assessment of the existing construction conditions also allowed for a larger sky bridge for the same cost. This project reflects our commitment to ensuring our clients always receive the most value for their money.