Dattner Architects

How can economic activities co-exist with community and environmental needs on the crowded Manhattan waterfront?  The terminals at Piers 92 and 88 are the last survivors of New York’s once thriving commercial ship travel industry. They are in dire need of replacement and modernization. Building on New York City’s master plan for the piers, Dattner Architects has proposed a solution that creates a new resilient cruise terminal, clean, all-electric piers, better traffic and passenger flow, and the ability to welcome the world’s largest cruise ships. It also provides greatly improved public access, more parkland, and better continuity of the Hudson River Park Esplanade and bike path. A streamlined, multi-level design with roof top gardens reduces the terminal’s footprint on the narrow site between the west side highway and the river. The new piers will strengthen an important city industry, while maximizing marine habitat and public open space.

The Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) Community Center is the third of ten Dattner Architects’ projects recognized by the jury for inclusion in Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)'s Built by Women 2026: New York City exhibition. Located in East New York, Brooklyn, the CHLDC Community Center created a new civic anchor for a long-standing community organization—bringing educational, recreational, social service, wraparound services, and economic development programs together under one roof. Designed by Dattner Architects, the community center consolidates programs that were previously distributed across multiple storefront locations into a welcoming, flexible hub for neighborhood gathering and support. A double-height lobby and amphitheater form the heart of the building, creating space for informal connection, public forums, performances, and community events. The center includes classrooms, recreation spaces, offices, and a commercial kitchen that supports workforce training and local food entrepreneurship. Designed for adaptability, these spaces can evolve alongside the needs of the organization and the East New York community it serves. The community center is located within Chestnut Commons, a 14-story Passive House mixed-use building also designed by Dattner Architects. Together, the building and community center support a broader vision for affordable housing, community resources, and neighborhood resilience. Dattner Architects’ project leadership included Mia Lorenzetti Lee and Kristy Phillips. The CHLDC Community Center reflects the role of women’s leadership in shaping community-centered architecture that advances equity, access, and long-term neighborhood investment. Photography by Chris Cooper. Read more about the project and team here: https://lnkd.in/egeP7mvg

Dattner Architects’ recently completed NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Brooklyn District 3 Garage & Offices was featured in The Architect's Newspaper. Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the facility provides a new home for Brooklyn’s District 3 Department of Sanitation team, supporting essential city operations through efficient circulation, sustainable design, and light-filled workspaces. The project incorporates a green roof for stormwater retention and heat island reduction, alongside façades designed to bring natural light deep into the building. Editor Bernard Pollara writes: “Each face of Brooklyn Community District 3 sanitation garage…was designed by Dattner Architects to respect its users, visitors, and neighbors. Fritted and transparent glazing provides interior views and daylight for sanitation workers and caters to both nearby residents and pedestrians. Aluminum fins aid in passive shading and precast concrete panels dampen sound.”   We are honored to see this project recognized as part of our commitment to designing thoughtful civic infrastructure that supports New York City’s essential workers. Read the full article via this link: https://shorturl.at/r7RYS

barc (BEB Archive)’s, the Rhode Island School of Design American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) podcast, interview with Dattner Architects Senior Associate Heather McKinstry is now streaming on Spotify. In the episode, Heather expands on her current work with large scale Passive House projects such as the next phase for WSFSSH, Inc.'s West 108 building. “There’s a nice synergy between large scale buildings and Passive House,” Heather explains, “it’s actually a really great fit… it’s easier to meet those standards with large scale buildings.” Heather emphasized the benefits of working with Passive House standards for supportive and affordable housing developments like WSFSSH West 108, such as prioritizing clean air and choosing materials that will be healthy for the people who live there. Learn more and listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify via this link: https://shorturl.at/qo1IY

Continuing our spotlight on Dattner Architects’ projects selected for the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)'s Built by Women 2026: New York City exhibition, Alafia is the second of ten Dattner projects recognized by the jury. Located in Brooklyn, Alafia is a wellness-oriented, resilient neighborhood that brings together affordable and supportive housing, open space, community resources, workforce development, and sustainable infrastructure to address long-standing social, economic, and health disparities. The master plan was designed by Dattner Architects and SCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DPC, with Dattner Architects leading the first and third phases of the project. Developed partners include L+M Development Partners LLC, Apex Building Group, Inc., Services for the UnderServed, and RiseBoro Community Partnership. Phase 1 includes 576 affordable and supportive homes, a clinic, courtyards, walking paths, retail space, and a Maintenance Hub to support the full development. Both Phase 1 residential buildings are designed to meet Passive House standards and utilize closed-loop geothermal heat pump systems and wastewater technology for energy-efficient heating and cooling. Dattner Architects’ project leadership included Project Manager Jen S., with design team members Deniz Secilmis, Kavyashri Cherala, AIA, LEED AP, Habiba Akhtar, and Sahar Baghaii. Alafia reflects the role of women’s leadership in advancing equitable, resilient, and community-centered urban development. Read more about the project and team here: https://lnkd.in/epTrftFB Photography by Chris Cooper.

Dattner Architects Managing Partner Kirsten Sibilia recently joined host Eric Hirani, PE, CCM, DBIA, LEEDAP, WEDG of Infinite Consulting Corp for Eric’s Building Better Futures Foundation podcast. The Building Better Futures podcast spotlights discussions with AEC leaders on current industry trends, challenges, and events. In this episode, “Fostering the Next Generation of Industry Leaders,” Kirsten speaks about her career path, her advice for other leaders, the changes she has led at Dattner Architects, including becoming a Women-Owned Business, and her goals for the future of the firm. She also reflects on the Dattner Architects’ commitment to essential, beautiful, equitable, and sustainable architecture. Citing an example of a women’s shelter the firm recently designed for an established non-profit service provider, Kirsten speaks to how the design team’s focus on dignity and respect for residents results in a design that clearly does make a difference. Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/eXWh-AUB

34 Street Hudson Yards Subway Station was one of the ten Dattner Architects’ projects selected by the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF) jury for inclusion in the Built by Women 2026: New York City exhibition. Dattner Architects;  planning and design of the & Line Subway Extension, and our design of the new 34 St-Hudson Yards Station was a catalyst for the development of Hudson Yards. Extending the 7 Line from Times Square to 34 Street and 11th Avenue, the project created a vital new transit connection to the Javits Center, Hudson River Park, and Manhattan’s Far West Side. The station’s design—anchored by two entrances within Bella Abzug Park—advanced new approaches to materiality, circulation, signage integration, and modular interior wall systems, several of which have since become MTA standards. Project leadership included women across the project including Beth Greenberg, Partner at Dattner Architects and Lead Station Architect, who directed the 25-person architectural team throughout the design and construction phases. The professionalism, sensitivities and sensibilities of women leaders led to the project’s tremendous success and true urban renewal. Read more about the project and the team here: https://lnkd.in/eCHvEiav

Earlier this week, Studio Director Heather McKinstry joined Michael Ingui for Reimagine Buildings Collective’s fireside chat and live Q&A.   Since beginning her career with a thesis on disaster relief housing, Heather’s work has been dedicated to creating “healthy, inclusive spaces that minimize environmental impact.” She has lead the design of many passive house projects, including Dattner Architects’ 425 Grand Concourse Passive House Development, instrumental in delivering one of largest Passive House projects in North America. She continues to share her insights into designing sustainable urban affordable housing.   The episode is live here: https://lnkd.in/gn47D_2k

425 Grand Concourse is featured in the NYC Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination’s Leading Green Public Projects 2025 report, recognizing New York City capital projects that advance design excellence, sustainability, innovation, and environmental performance. Designed by Dattner Architects, 425 Grand Concourse is a 26-story, 300,000 SF mixed-use affordable housing development in the Bronx that brings together affordable homes with essential neighborhood resources, including a medical facility, supermarket, community support space, and a student services center for CUNY Hostos Community College. Developed by Trinity Financial, Inc. and MBD Community Housing, with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development serving as sponsor and managing agency, the project demonstrates how housing can support community health, resilience, and connection. Achieving PHIUS+ 2018 CORE Passive House certification, 425 Grand Concourse reflects a holistic approach to sustainability, prioritizing resident comfort, indoor air quality, long-term affordability, and well-being. Its high-performance envelope and Energy Recovery Ventilation system help create quieter, healthier, and more comfortable homes, providing residents with fresh filtered air, stable indoor temperatures, and greater resilience during extreme weather events. Beyond the building itself, 425 Grand Concourse contributes to the broader well-being of the neighborhood by expanding access to food, healthcare, education, and community space. Residential amenities, including recreation areas, a landscaped roof terrace, fitness room, lounge space, and bicycle storage, further support active and connected daily life. “As New Yorkers, we are so fortunate to live in a city that invests in sustainable, resilient, and elegant buildings. With this report’s sampling of projects, the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination demonstrates that sustainability is achievable and replicable, and that NYC is leading the way by investing in our shared Essential Architecture of schools, libraries, institutions, and affordable housing. Dattner Architects is honored to be included in this body of work.” — John Woelfling, FAIA, LEED AP, CPHT, Partner, Dattner Architects 425 Grand Concourse reflects Dattner Architects’ commitment to essential architecture that advances equity, sustainability, and civic life. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gMZr3Zgh Photos by: Albert Vecerka Trinity Financial, Inc., MBD Community Housing, Dagher Engineering, PLLC, GACE Consulting Engineers DPC, Steven Winter Associates, Monadnock Construction, Inc., Bright Power, Shefali Sanghvi, AIA, LEED AP BD C, ENV SP, Fitwel Amb., John Woelfling, NYC Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination, NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, Jennifer Bloom Leone AIA LEED, Giulia Luci, James Wilson

Dattner Architects had ten projects selected by the jury for feature in the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF)’s Built by Women 2026: New York City map. Built by Women is a juried mapping initiative that brings national visibility to the significant, and often overlooked, contributions of women across the building industries, including architects, landscape architects, urban designers, engineers, contractors, developers, and project leaders. Dattner Architects’ selected projects reflect the breadth of our civic practice and the essential role of women in shaping New York City’s built environment. Spanning public infrastructure, transportation, affordable and supportive housing, education, open space, and community facilities, the selected projects include: - 34 Street Hudson Yards Subway Station - Alafia - Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation Community Center - Hudson River Segments 6 & 7 - NYC Department of Sanitation, Manhattan Community Districts 1, 2, & 5 Garage - NYC Department of Sanitation, Spring Street Salt Shed - PANYNJ JFK Airport Central Terminal Area Ground Transportation Center - St. James Terrace - The Forum at Columbia University - The Shefa School Together, these projects speak to the power of collaborative design, public purpose, and the women whose leadership and contributions continue to advance a more equitable and resilient city. Thank you to the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation for this recognition, and congratulations to the women across our teams, clients, consultants, and collaborators whose work made these projects possible. Explore the full list of selected projects: https://lnkd.in/ebDcetxA