On December 5, 2024, New York City adopted City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the most significant update to the city’s zoning code since 1961. The city faces a persistent housing shortage, with experts estimating that 473,000 additional housing units will be needed by 2032 to meet demand. City of Yes aims to address this this issue by increasing allowable housing density, facilitating office-to-residential conversions, and reducing parking requirements. In doing so, the initiative is expected to enable the creation of 80,000 new housing units over the next 15 years.

How City of Yes expands housing development

A key feature of the plan is the Universal Affordability Preference (UAP) program, which allows developers in medium- and high-density areas to build 20% more housing if the additional units are affordable to households earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This policy was designed to complement the 485-x tax incentive, ensuring that new residential projects remain financially viable.

The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) increases enabled by City of Yes vary by zoning district, street width, and whether the site is inside or outside the Manhattan core. Developments in historic districts still must adhere to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s regulations to preserve neighborhood character.

Where does this create the biggest opportunity?

To better understand the impact of these zoning changes, our team at ArchTam mapped the new maximum allowable floor area under the UAP program. By comparing previous limits with new maximums, our team identified neighborhoods with the greatest newly unlocked development potential. Use the interactive map below to explore the impact of the City of Yes in each neighborhood. To find a specific area, use the search function in the top right corner. The legend is found immediately below the search function.

Percent Increase in Maximum Allowable Square Footage by Neighborhood

Some neighborhoods saw substantial increases in their development potential. Park Slope and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, along with Bronx Park in the Bronx, have seen the largest increases in maximum allowable square footage under City of Yes.

Available development rights by parcel

Our analysis also compared the existing built-out floor area with new maximums to identify unused development rights at the parcel level.

Most parcels receiving a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) boost under City of Yes saw an increase of less than 2.0. While these individual increases may seem modest, they collectively enable an additional 295 million square feet of development citywide.

Many of the City’s most underbuilt parcels tend to be in commercially zoned districts, which are largely unaffected by the UAP program. For example, Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station in Brooklyn has a concentration of underbuilt commercial parcels near the transit hub, presenting an opportunity for additional transit-oriented development.

Beyond the UAP program, City of Yes also expands eligibility for office-to-residential conversions. Now, buildings constructed as recently as 1990 can be converted to housing in any area where residential uses are permitted. This shift could be particularly impactful in neighborhoods like Midtown Manhattan, where many office spaces remain underutilized.

Use the interactive map below to explore untapped development potential by parcel under City of Yes.

Unbuilt FAR by Parcel

What’s next?

With City of Yes now in effect, developers, city officials, and community members have new tools to help address New York’s housing shortage. Understanding how these zoning changes impact specific properties and neighborhoods is key to making the most of this opportunity.

Interested in learning more about development opportunities under City of Yes? Reach out to our team at ArchTam for data-driven insights and strategic planning support.

The post “City of Yes”: Unlocking New York City’s Housing Potential appeared first on Blog.

Time is money
There is no getting around it, construction in dense urban environments is, by its very nature, complex and expensive. Transit projects are multifaceted, multilayered efforts that reach across legions of engineering disciplines and, frequently, competing city agency jurisdictions. But these challenges do not necessarily have to lead to construction delays and cost overruns.

Thoughtful and thorough upfront planning enables the project team to examine the project scope and details, identify potential issues, and eliminate or reduce potential obstacles that could lead to lengthy delays before the construction meter starts running.

Using this upfront time to their best advantage, program managers can build out cost-effective solutions for complex issues that may not be possible or even available once construction has started. Utility relocations in dense urban areas, for example, are often main drivers of project delays that result in cost overruns. Building in a window of time during the preplanning phase for early utility identification and relocation is an excellent strategy for eliminating potential setbacks and keeping the budget on track.

Forward focus
When working with city agencies, forward-looking coordination is key to delivering successful outcomes. Upfront coordination, especially a formal program initiation process, is increasingly recognized as a vital element of overall program success. Initiation ensures alignment of roles and expectations, establishes key processes and allows the project team to quickly mobilize.

Transit projects typically have overlapping aspects that involve varied city agencies or require work to be situated on different city agency properties. Understanding the layers of city agency responsibilities and expectations to gain consensus across these entities can be time consuming and challenging — but it is an essential, not to be overlooked step. Ineffective coordination costs transit agencies time and money. An effective, experienced program manager anticipates overlapping project jurisdictions among agencies and puts into motion a plan for easements, schedules and other concerns to be negotiated in advance.

On the $1.7 billion Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement design-build project in the South Bronx, our team coordinated with and between city and state agencies, such as the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York City Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority/New York City Subways, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. This project — one of the largest in the history of the New York State Department of Transportation — will provide direct interstate access to more than 20,000 vehicles, and it is on budget and on schedule to open in 2025.

Preparation is easier when a trusted advisor leads the way
Land acquisition and right-of-way issues can result in disputes and confrontations among agencies, costing time and money. Bringing onboard a program manager who not only understands the disparate needs of and concerns around these agencies’ operations but is also experienced in developing satisfactory solutions for all is the best way to ensure your critical programs and projects move forward.

We have worked with virtually every New York City and State agency. We understand how these different agencies operate, and we know what it takes to coordinate with and negotiate between them. Our professionals are, in fact, embedded with such agencies as the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the New York City Schools Construction Authority (NYCSCA), acting as program manager for their major projects and providing key services such as property assessments. Over the course of this engagement, we have earned the role of trusted advisor.

As primary consultant for the NYCSCA, we demonstrate preparation as a matter of course. In just the past three years, we developed evacuation plans and drop off lanes analysis for 50 schools, advancing vital services across New York City. This level of familiarity and confidence uniquely positions our team to accelerate solutions that can mitigate potential obstacles while negotiating issues so that construction progresses without delays.

Completing projects that deliver a better world
Expanding transit in dense urban environments like New York City poses unique challenges. Preplanning, coordination and preparation before construction enables transit agencies to deliver these programs and projects on time and on budget—forging new community connections that advance mobility and transportation alternatives throughout the region.

The post On time, on budget: begin before the beginning for successful transit projects appeared first on Blog.

Teaching new skills and advancing new careers
Designed to be a living laboratory, the STEM Center gives students the ability to measure and analyze the solar, photovoltaic, wind and geothermal power technologies that comprise the building’s systems. This teaching facility will offer STEM-related classes and provide highly desired technical training, with faculty helping students develop the skills needed to learn about these new energy systems. With jobs in the renewable energy industry expected to be in demand over the coming years, this type of instruction offered at the STEM Center will not only advance the renewable energy talent pool in this region, it will ensure local students — many from underprivileged backgrounds — can develop employable skills and establish careers in the up-and-coming renewable energy industry. 

Demonstrating real world tools and strategies
Our thoughtful design of the STEM Center highlights strategies, tools and renewable systems that can be put in place in new construction to make buildings more sustainable. Our efforts to combine these elements will enable the STEM Center to be self-sufficient, producing all the energy needed for its onsite functions. Understanding the need to demonstrate the accessibility and constructability of sustainable buildings, we opted for readily available energy systems that required little or no modifications for installation and function within the STEM Center.

At the same time, we made deliberate design decisions to advance sustainability. The building’s lighting system is just one example. We developed an energy model to place windows where they would provide the optimal amount of daylight to classrooms, and the windows themselves incorporate high-performance glazing to conserve energy. Taken together, these strategies will ensure that the building will require a minimal amount of outside energy.

Delivering a cleaner, greener Long Island
The STEM Center is already considered a legacy building by the college, one that sets the stage for the design and construction of additional net-zero buildings on its campuses. The impact of this one building may also reach beyond Long Island. Its use of different renewable systems provides a blueprint for designers and constructors to deliver high-performance buildings that also go easy on the grid – and the environment. Replicating renewable energy strategies and tools in building design and construction will help reduce energy consumption from polluting sources, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and providing communities with a cleaner, greener future.

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Expected to be fully developed within the next few years, eVTOLs are not your typical aircraft. They combine the vertical take-off and landing of helicopters with the horizontal flight of airplanes, and they are as quiet as common house noise. They are the next wave in aviation innovation and very well could change the way we travel across the region. Often considered flying taxis, when fully developed, these aircraft will carry up to six people, including the pilot, and depending on the transportation network may deliver point-to-point service. Here are four ways eVTOLs may transform transportation for people across the region.

Speeding commutes
Compared to helicopters, airplanes and even drones, eVTOLs are unique in that they take off and land from nontraditional locations such as parking garages, shopping malls and open fields. Since they travel at speeds equivalent to a high-speed train, eVTOLs could dramatically reduce travel time and help alleviate traffic congestion. The combination of rapid travel and flexible connections has the potential to provide a faster, easier commute for workers traveling to larger cities and expand work, educational and retail opportunities for those living in more rural areas.

Easing airport travel
As airlines are key investors in eVTOL development, these aircraft are expected to provide connectivity to and from airports. Many airlines view eVTOLs as a transportation mode that may expand their passenger base, since eVTOLs can quickly deliver passengers to airport terminals for connecting to regional or international flights. While useful for major international airports such as JFK and Newark, eVTOLs could become particularly important for more rural parts of New York and New Jersey, as the aircraft hold the potential to increase passenger traffic to regional airports, driving airport expansion and economic growth.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
eVTOLs are powered by electricity stored in onboard batteries that are charged from clean energy sources. Unlike helicopters and airplanes, eVTOLs are quiet and do not produce carbon emissions. As the industry advances and eVTOLs are more widely in use, they will become a viable alternative to bus or car travel, which would serve to improve air quality by reducing roadway congestion and emissions. Once the technology matures, an eVTOL journey should be similar in cost to an Uber or Lyft.

Moving freight faster
In addition to moving passengers, eVTOLs are expected to move freight. Many of the major cargo companies are already planning to integrate eVTOLs into their feeder fleets. The speed of the aircraft, combined with their ability to take-off and land from flexible locations, is expected to help advance shipping, particularly to rural locations. As the use of eVTOLs for shipping evolves, people living in rural and urban areas may see faster deliveries. 

Making it work
Change and growth require insight and experience, something ArchTam’s aviation planners have in abundance. We understand what’s needed for success and are delivering services across all aspects of this ascendant industry. We’re working to help design, locate and place designated terminals—known as vertiports—that allow for expedited passenger movement, maintenance and battery charging, while providing a completely new and enjoyable passenger experience.

We are also using our extensive environmental knowledge to assist with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other state environmental permitting. Our energy experts are examining eVTOL charging requirements, looking at their impact on the energy grid and the potential for grid development, so utility companies and eVTOL operators can plan for evolving market needs. And importantly, we are helping guide our clients through the intricate process of aviation design and aviation regulations. With these transformative efforts at work, eVTOL implementation is on the horizon, bringing the promise of greater connectivity and more convenient travel options throughout New York and New Jersey.

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While removing a roadway from the national highway system might seem cause for concern, for residents of the Crotona neighborhood in Bronx, New York, it was cause for celebration. Converting the 1.3-mile Arthur Sheridan Expressway from an urban principal arterial/interstate to solely serve as an urban principal arterial — making it essentially a boulevard — reconnected the community to the Bronx River waterfront, parklands and greenspaces that had been greatly restricted since the expressway was completed in 1963.

Accomplishing this feat was a complex process and a first for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Our team, as part of a joint venture, helped advance and execute this effort, which improved the community’s quality of life while providing a potential blueprint for other impacted neighborhoods. Here are four essential elements our team embraced that made the project a success.

We listened to the community
Before this project, pedestrian access across the Sheridan Expressway was only available at Westchester Avenue or at East 174^th Street. These routes were confusing, congested and circuitous, presenting an additional barrier to the waterfront recreation areas. Residents were outspoken about the need for improved connectivity to the waterfront and parks. The project added three new signalized intersections across the mainline Sheridan Boulevard, vastly improving access and safety.

We prioritized coordination
Projects of this size undertaken in dense urban areas often include work that overlaps into different agencies’ oversight, with work that must be coordinated with and often approved by all these entities. To better facilitate communication and achieve consensus, we partnered with various city, state and federal agencies, from the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, NYC Department of Transportation and NYC Department of Environmental Protection to the Federal Highway Administration and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We also helped coordinate public information sessions and meetings with Bronx Community Boards 2 and 6.

We worked as a team
Extensive traffic analysis, engineering and landscape design innovation were required to develop this unique project. Collaboration with multiple agencies and consultants required dedication from each team member to contribute to the project’s success. Whether they were part of the ArchTam joint venture, a subconsultant or public agency, each entity played a significant role in advancing this effort. NYSDOT, for example, designed the tied arch pedestrian bridge over the Bronx River. Working as a team, we removed the historic barriers to the parklands and waterfront enabling residents to finally take advantage of the recreational space the neighborhood offers. This included adding transportation and recreation options by building in a two-lane bike path in the median of one of the local avenues.

We designed for safety
To help safeguard pedestrians, we installed high visibility pavement markings and 16-foot-wide refuge islands with bollards. We added three signalized crosswalks and shortened crossing distances by using a protected signal phase. As a result, pedestrians — including students from neighboring schools — can cross Sheridan Boulevard to visit the park without concern about conflicting traffic. We also added buffers and plantings in the median, providing street trees and a vertical-faced decorative barrier on each side of the boulevard.

A blueprint for the future
Taken together, these four factors allowed us to reimagine how the Sheridan Expressway could better function and improve the quality of life for residents in this Bronx neighborhood. In de-designating the Sheridan, our team established a safe, more pleasurable driving and walking experience along the boulevard. Our work also provides a blueprint for other communities across New York State and the country to make similar transformations.

The post Transforming a roadway, reconnecting a Bronx community appeared first on Blog.

David is a vice president and senior construction manager in ArchTam’s Water business line in New York Metro region. With 32 years of experience in environmental engineering and construction management, David has managed construction projects in New York City for agencies such as the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Housing Authority, and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I grew up in a blue-collar household — my father was a steel worker — and he always told me to respect the craft. I started right out of college as a design engineer and was tasked to build what I “put on paper,” which was how I fell in love with the construction side of the business. I truly enjoy managing construction and coordinating activities with the general contractor and all of the construction trades.

What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on and why? 

I’ve found that projects that involve restoring the environment and remediating hazardous waste are among the most interesting and challenging. From the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to North Carolina and New York, I’ve worked on projects where we successfully removed and disposed of thousands of tons of hazardous soil and treated millions of gallons of contaminated water. Being a part of restoring ecosystems and bringing clean, safe drinking water to communities is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community. 

For more than 30 years, my work has focused on delivering water and wastewater projects for the city of New York, and I can assure you that New York’s infrastructure is historically one of the best. One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on was the emergency response at NYCDEP’s North River plant after a fire destroyed the main pumping systems. Within 48 hours after the fire was extinguished, pumping capacity was restored and the plant was operational again. I then managed nine contracts for emergency restoration to increase pumping capacity and rebuild the damaged portion of the plant.

The work I’ve done throughout my career informs everything I do now as a construction manager with ArchTam, including taking on challenging projects such as Value Engineering (VE) studies for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission in New Jersey and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. I look forward to more experiences where I can bring world-class services to solve our clients’ most complex challenges and truly live up to our promise of delivering a better world.

Share a piece of career advice.

Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take on a new task and accept that challenge, even if you’ve never done it before. It’s the only way you will grow. I’ve passed this advice on to my children, challenging them to take on tasks that may be a bit uncomfortable. Watching them grow and mature through the process is a pleasure.

The post People Spotlight: Meet David Stahl appeared first on Blog.

In 2020 however, the transit system bore the brunt of the coronavirus. Ridership and the farebox revenue financing dropped precipitously, putting the transit system and New York City’s economy on the edge of viability. While now rebounding, New York City is continuing to face economic challenges, transit ridership is down 50 percent from 2019, and bringing back ridership will be an ongoing challenge, as the Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 25-30 percent of the workforce may continue to work from home multiple days a week. While decreases in ridership are real and pose an issue, the fact remains that many across New York City will continue to rely on our public transit system – and that its health is vital to the economic and cultural health of our city.

Although ridership may be tenuous, and some may question the wisdom of transit infrastructure investments, I believe that now is the time to invest in transit infrastructure. Simply put, the spending choices we make now will impact our city’s speed and the depth of its recovery. And in New York City, there is no better investment than our transit infrastructure. Here are four factors illustrating the importance of transit infrastructure investment in securing New York City’s future as a world city:

The economy. The wellspring of a healthy city is its economic condition. Infrastructure spending yields important economic dividends – with spending benefits that are even more significant when investing in transportation infrastructure. According to a study for the Business Round Table, an association of chief executives for the United States’ leading companies, every US$1 invested in transportation infrastructure returns US$3.54 in economic impact, a nearly 4:1 ratio, the result of improved efficiency and connectivity.

Developing jobs. As New York’s economy begins to rebound, unemployment is still a concern. Investing in transit infrastructure programs such as the Second Avenue Subway Phase II and an expansion and overhaul of Pennsylvania Station will improve regional connectivity while adding much needed job opportunities. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that every US$100 billion of infrastructure spending adds 1 million jobs. According to Duke University’s Center on Globalization, Governance and Competitiveness, this number doubles when projects are transit related.

Advancing transit’s future. New York City is home to one of the oldest subway systems in the world and incorporates a transit network with one of the world’s largest regional commuter rails. Continuing to modernize and invest in technology that manages density and encourages a return to transit ridership in the age of the coronavirus will keep this network, and in turn New York City’s economy, vibrant for years to come. ArchTam’s Transportation Resilient Integrated Passenger Solution (TRIPS) uses new and existing technologies to inform passengers’ decisions with real-time trip planning. It manages congestion at station platforms, and control boarding and alighting which ensures safe arrival at final destinations. The system also enables communication with operators and passengers to help manage transit density, increasing passenger comfort and system ridership.

Resiliency, sustainability and equity. The pandemic raised concerns about difficulties maintaining social distancing on the subway system, factors that some believe might reduce transit use; this however runs counter to New York City’s history. Many believe public transit usage and capacity – and notably on the subways – will continue to expand if we invest in strategies that address convenience, resiliency, sustainability and social equity.

There is an inextricable link between infrastructure investments, and equity, sustainability and resiliency. Programs and projects such as station flood gates promote resiliency, sustainability and transit equity by protecting transit capital investments from damages resulting from climate change and extreme weather. This also promotes equity by keeping the system operational for those relying on it, maintaining their ability to connect to work.

Investing in electrifying buses is one example of a key investment in equity. Implementing the use of these vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions that are related to issues of public health. This is particularly important for lower income neighborhoods where bus depots are typically located. Improving the health and well-being of its citizens through projects and programs that reduce emissions will leave lasting legacies to communities across New York City.

Act now. Investing in transit infrastructure affords New York City one of its best chances to stimulate its economy. And the time to act is now. The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act affords us with the ability to reap long-term dividends and improve the system’s long-term health. Investments in subway, MetroNorth and Long Island Rail Road station accessibility and such projects as the Second Avenue Subway Phase II and East Side Access, which will deliver Long Island Rail Road service to Manhattan’s East Side will continue to improve equity, sustainability and in turn our city’s economy. As we continue to manage the coronavirus and its impacts, the economic health and well-being of our city’s residents should be our most pressing concern. The time to act is now.

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I am the vice president of creative services with ArchTam’s Construction Management business, overseeing all creative design projects, translating marketing objectives into creative strategies, and advancing the firm’s brand identity. I lead and direct a team of designers and production artists in the development of high-profile proposals, presentations and marketing materials.

Finding my inspiration

I was born in Paris, France, and as a teenager, was really into American culture. I loved the automobile industry, especially the cars from the 50s to the 70s. I loved the seaside motels and their architecture.

I remember enjoying the film title sequences designed by Saul Bass. He designed all the great credits for Hitchcock and Kubrick movies. That was my inspiration.

Opening up a world of opportunities

My first experience in construction was when I was hired as a production artist by Lehrer McGovern Bovis. I just could not believe the projects that were landing on my desk. It was the renovation of The Statue of Liberty, the renovation of Grand Central Station, Canary Wharf in London. It was just this opportunity that opened, and I was right in the midst of new building and old building construction. And then I could walk in the street and see that building being built, in the process of being built.

My purpose and passion

To be able to participate in the building of next generation of skylines, of vertical towers — in this country, as an immigrant, it’s a real honor and an amazing privilege.

An everlasting legacy for the community

Whether people realize it or not, ArchTam’s work is embedded in the fabric of New York City. I think the most impactful project for me is our work at the World Trade Center. For many New Yorkers the Twin Towers didn’t just dominate the skyline, they were the skyline, which was part of why their absence was felt so viscerally. The new World Trade Center is perfectly fitted for the community. The vertical towers standing tall is a visual representation of our rebound as a nation; we get our freedom of movement back with the Transportation Hub; and a calming oasis for reflection at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and Liberty Park.

Lessons for new graphic designers

First, fall in love with a range of great designers. You need to study the classics and pay attention. Design is everywhere — Paul Rand’s collection of visual identities, Charlotte Perriand and Ray Eames’ furniture, Milton Glaser’s “I love NY” ad campaign, even album covers like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. This is your framework, recognizing what works.

Then you can move on to architects, builders, and their iconic creations — the Sheats Golden Stein residence, the Shard, the United Nations Headquarters, the Gateway Arch, the Sidney Opera House and so many more! Challenge yourself to ask questions and find the answers. Why was it designed this way? What were the solutions to obstacles and challenges? Observe the details, like the Chrysler Building’s sunburst pattern of the stainless-steel cladding.

With love comes curiosity, research, knowledge and understanding. Graphic design is an integral tool in successful marketing departments. The craft of creating visual content to communicate is like learning a new language. Stay open-minded, listen to unexpected sources, accept criticism and directions to improve your work, be patient to let ideas develop, try new technology, never stop learning and enjoy the problem solving!

The post Building Legacies with Varda Albert appeared first on Blog.

Arthur Ashe Stadium operated for 30 years without a roof. When the stadium was first conceived, engineers and planners working for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) studied a century’s worth of weather data. Noting that the weeks around Labor Day tended to be some of the driest, they concluded that it wasn’t worth sacrificing 5,000 seats to accommodate a roof. So, they didn’t build one.

Then the rain came in 2008. And, it didn’t stop. Inclement weather plagued the next five consecutive U.S. Opens, causing pivotal matches — such as one between Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal — to be suspended and wreaking havoc on the center’s grounds. The USTA knew something needed to change. But, taking action proved to be more difficult than anyone imagined.

When we were brought on in 2013, the original design concept for the retractable roof transferred the load through the existing structure, requiring us to dismantle each of the 150 existing columns. In addition, the stadium was built on a former landfill with unstable soil, meaning it couldn’t tolerate the 6,500-ton additional weight. Serving as design-builder, we worked with the ROSETTI architecture team to come up with a solution that left Arthur Ashe’s interior untouched. We devised a way to suspend the roof on a framework of eight super columns, making it an entirely independent structure. Each column is driven 180 feet into earth to reach bedrock, eliminating the need to connect them horizontally underground. This ensured stability and allowed the stadium’s existing infrastructure to remain intact.

The roof itself is comprised of 1,700 individual pieces, covered with lightweight and durable Teflon-coated fiberglass membrane fabric (PTFE). The retractable section of the roof was designed with two identical moving panels, each weighing one million pounds, controlled by an eight-wheel rail system. The roof can open or close in approximately seven minutes, transforming Arthur Ashe into a fully climate-controlled indoor stadium.

As we were figuring out the logistics of the roof, our team was also facilitating a more open feeling throughout the center by moving Grandstand Stadium to the southwest corner of the campus and rebuilding several courts. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center remained fully operational and occupied during construction, continuing to host the most important matches of the 2014 and 2015 U.S. Open. When the retractable roof debuted at the 2016 U.S. Open, it was put to the test almost immediately, preventing a significant rain delay during a match between Rafael Nadal and Andreas Seppi.

With this year’s U.S. Open currently underway, we have one last accomplishment to celebrate. This year, we completed construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-largest venue and second retractable roof stadium at the center. The site’s final project not only marks the end of our five-year journey with USTA, but the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Open.

For me personally, and our team, everything we do is built around this one moment. Seeing the client, players and fans enjoying the experience motivates us to continue upping the game.

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As a principal leading ArchTam’s landscape architecture studio here, I’ll help our team expand beyond boundaries and think in new ways to deliver projects that improve our cities. We’re looking forward to discovering game-changing methods of practice across our many disciplines.

My team is charged with investigating the possibilities, planning and leading large-scale urban design projects. The space in Industry City provides a stimulating environment to be creative, but most importantly, it provides a platform for collaboration across ArchTam and direct involvement with local neighborhoods and communities.

To celebrate our work, our new office and Brooklyn itself, I would like to introduce some of my team members who speak about their projects and their Brooklyn connections.

From: Lulu Loquidis, Landscape Designer

With our move to Industry City, I’ve gained additional perspective on NYC’s layered and complex relationship with its waterfront. As a landscape architect, I believe we have a responsibility to understand the influence of human life on natural processes, cycles and systems in order to create the best possible solutions.

Our studio works at multiple scales, with projects ranging from the redevelopment of waterfront districts in New York and New Jersey to plazas and parks that enhance the public realm. Currently, I’m a lead designer for flood resiliency projects in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Leveraging iterative design and direct community engagement, we’re working to mitigate coastal and systemic inland flooding through the development of parks, enhanced wetlands and green infrastructure.

As a young, female leader working and living in Brooklyn, I hope to bring my experience at the intersection of design, engineering and public policy to meet the challenges of a globally shifting climate.

Lulu (at left) works with colleagues Jeff McLeod and Anna Hochhalter on the Rebuild by Design Meadowlands project.

From: Anna Hochhalter, Landscape Designer

I’m a designer with a focus on public realm and ecological projects. My work ranges from large-scale strategy to detailed site design.

Teamed with Lulu, we’re working on “Rebuild by Design Meadowlands,” a project to create flood resilience in a region of the Hackensack River in New Jersey. We’re implementing a program of green infrastructure, performative parks and wetland creation, as well as improvements to public facilities, existing parks and the channel network.

Industry City’s mission to incubate makers of many kinds and at many scales puts our design studio in a dynamic context as we work to address pressing social and ecological challenges. Each day, I find inspiration in the determination and diversity that is palpable throughout Brooklyn!

Anna in ArchTam’s new Industry City office. 

From: Andrew Liang, Landscape Designer

My role is to push forward-thinking design for the public realm in multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects, ensuring design excellence within our team.

Currently, we’re working on a pair of projects in Peterborough, Ontario, a post-industrial city just outside of the Greater Toronto Area. The first is Bethunescape, a streetscape revitalization masterplan that will turn a 12-block street into a winding, mixed-use linear park. The other is an urban pocket park we’re calling the “Ice Forest.” It will feature a plaza, skating trail, wooded walking paths, mist gardens and a faceted mirrored wall. It is fantastic to help shape these interesting places where natural environments and people come together.

As a Brooklyn native, my favorite places are attached to my fondest memories of growing up here — spending every summer at Brighton Beach and down Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay.

Andrew (center) with his team (from left to right) Wenyi Pan, Yi Lun Yang and Mario Ulloa. 

From: Susan Bemis, Associate Principal

I help our team collaborate across disciplines and business lines to develop projects that go beyond traditional infrastructure.

One example is the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency project, which will weave resilient infrastructure into the community context, with the goal of protecting people, businesses and neighborhoods from the potential impacts of climate change. We’re creating great places for people that also look to address one of the most complex and immediate issues of our time.

Here in Industry City, we’re getting to know the Sunset Park community and will host an ACE Mentor team this spring with Sunset Park High School. Students bring such great energy and a fresh perspective, and we get to show what a career in landscape architecture and urban design can look like. Helping spark that interest in young people is so rewarding and helps build an inspired future workforce.

Susan in the Industry City office. 

From: Lauren Micir, Landscape Designer

Trained as a landscape architect, much of my work has focused on large-scale resilience projects. I love how we use design to address challenges occurring on a global scale, while delivering projects that positively impact our shared public space and day-to-day experience of the city.

As designers, we work closely with structural, geotechnical, coastal, civil and stormwater engineers, as well as city agencies and local communities. Our job is to amalgamate insight and expertise from this wide variety of technical disciplines and stakeholders to deliver projects that protect the city from future coastal storms and flooding, and enhance the waterfront.

The creative atmosphere in Industry City is fantastic — I love the huge windows and views across the harbor. I’ve lived in so many Brooklyn neighborhoods and one of my favorite things to do is hop on my bike and explore places new and old, and soak up the nuances of all the different areas and their distinct cultures.

Lauren and team stretch their creative muscles — from left to right: Ran Wei, Mallory Clark, Lauren Micir, Katie Barsanti and Yi Lun Yang.

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