Buildings designed to make a lasting first impression.
Full-service exterior architecture — facade design, building renovation, outdoor spaces, and landscape design — for residential and commercial properties across all five NYC boroughs. One firm, fully permitted.
Founded on the idea that one team should handle everything.
ArcheA Studio was founded by Ana Kurtsikidze — a licensed architect with over 16 years of experience and a Master’s in Architecture and Design. The firm brings the same rigor to exterior architecture that it brings to every other phase of design — careful material selection, precise documentation, deep regulatory knowledge, and an understanding of how a building’s exterior will age, perform, and be perceived over time.
Whether the project is a brownstone facade renovation in Brooklyn, a new residential exterior on Staten Island, a landmark district alteration in Manhattan, or an outdoor space design in Queens — one team manages the full scope from first sketch through certificate of occupancy, without handing you off between separate architects and designers.
What we design.
Six exterior practice areas, one integrated team. From brownstone facade restoration in Brooklyn to rooftop terrace design in Manhattan — each project with its own regulatory context, material logic, and design language.
The face of the building, designed from first principles.
A building’s facade is its most public architecture. ArcheA Studio designs residential and commercial building facades in New York City from the ground up — selecting materials suited to the climate, the building’s structural system, and the character of the surrounding neighborhood. We consider proportions, window placement, surface texture, material contrast, and how the facade will be perceived from the street, from across the block, and in different light conditions.
Historic masonry — preserved and protected
Brownstone facade design and restoration is one of the most technically specific services in New York City residential architecture. Over 70% of Brooklyn brownstones over 50 years old show measurable facade deterioration. ArcheA Studio designs brownstone facade renovations that address cracked brownstone, failed mortar joints, spalling masonry, and deteriorated stoops — while satisfying Landmarks Preservation Commission requirements for properties in historic districts.
Existing exteriors, transformed
Renovating an existing building facade in New York City requires an architect who understands the original construction method, applicable building code requirements, and the landmarks or zoning constraints that govern what changes are permitted. ArcheA Studio provides full facade renovation architecture — documenting existing conditions, designing the renovation, specifying materials, and filing all required DOB NOW alteration applications.
Yards, terraces, and gardens
Rear yards, rooftop terraces, front gardens, entry courts, and private patios — designed as architectural extensions of the building they belong to. Planted areas, hardscaping, outdoor lighting, privacy screening, and water features, coordinated with landscape contractors and structural engineers where required.
Maximize usable outdoor area
Rooftop additions are among the most sought-after — and most regulated — exterior improvements in NYC. Any addition requires a DOB permit and, in many buildings, LPC approval. ArcheA Studio designs rooftop spaces within zoning and code constraints, coordinates structural load verification, and produces permit-ready construction documents.
How the building reads after dark
Exterior lighting is integral to how a building is perceived at all hours. ArcheA Studio integrates exterior lighting into every facade and outdoor space project — entry illumination, stoop lighting, pathway lighting, and facade accent lighting that is proportionate, efficient, and code-compliant, coordinated with the electrical engineer and contractor.
Not sure which service fits your project? Start here.
The first consultation is free — a genuine conversation, no obligation.
How an exterior project unfolds.
Every exterior architecture project follows the same five-phase arc — though the pace and regulatory specifics vary with building type, landmark status, and scope. Here is what working with ArcheA Studio looks like from the first site visit to the permitted and closed-out project.
Site Assessment & Regulatory Review
Site visit to document existing conditions — facade materials, structural integrity, drainage, existing openings. Simultaneously: zoning district, landmark status, FISP requirements, and outstanding DOB violations all reviewed before design begins.
Schematic Exterior Design
Preliminary exterior design options — facade configurations, material palettes, window treatments, entry designs, outdoor space layouts. Presented as drawings and material boards. For landmark properties, schematic designs reviewed against LPC precedents before refinement.
LPC Application (Where Required)
For properties in NYC’s 146 designated historic districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness is required before a DOB permit can be issued. ArcheA Studio prepares complete LPC packages — drawings, material samples, historical precedent documentation — and manages the review from submission through approval.
Construction Documents & Permitting
Complete architectural drawings for DOB NOW filing — facade elevations, material specifications, window schedules, detail sections, structural coordination. All applications filed directly in DOB NOW, with examiner objections handled as they arise.
Construction Administration
Site visits to verify materials are installed as specified, facade details executed correctly, and work conforms to approved drawings. For landmark projects, coordination with LPC inspector at key milestones. All DOB sign-offs and closeouts filed at completion.
Project Closeout
All required DOB sign-offs and permit closeouts filed to release the permit and close the project file cleanly. For landmark projects, final LPC inspector sign-off coordinated as part of the closeout process.
What sets us apart.
LPC expertise that protects your timeline.
Landmarks Preservation Commission approvals are the single most common cause of delays on exterior renovation projects in New York City’s historic districts. ArcheA Studio has direct experience preparing LPC applications and designing within the commission’s published design guidelines — which reduces the likelihood of objections, speeds up the review process, and protects your project timeline.
We do not treat LPC as a bureaucratic hurdle. We treat it as a design constraint that produces better outcomes when understood properly — and we have the track record to back that approach.
Material selection for NYC’s climate
New York City’s freeze-thaw cycles, summer heat, wind-driven rain, and UV exposure are demanding on exterior materials. ArcheA Studio selects facade materials based on performance data, not trends — specifying materials that retain their appearance, resist moisture infiltration, and require minimal maintenance over a 20–30 year horizon.
Integrated architecture and exterior design
Because ArcheA Studio handles both the building’s architecture and its exterior design, the facade is never developed in isolation. Window placement on the exterior is coordinated with room layout inside. Outdoor space design is coordinated with the building’s structural system. Rooftop terrace design is coordinated with the mechanical equipment below.
Curb appeal that increases property value
A professionally designed and renovated exterior consistently increases residential property values in New York City. Well-executed curb appeal — resolved facade, improved entry, quality materials — signals quality to buyers and appraisers before they enter the building. We design exteriors with resale value in mind, making choices that hold their quality over time.
New York City’s 146 designated historic districts cover a significant share of the residential buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn most likely to be renovated. Any exterior change visible from a public way requires LPC approval before a DOB permit can be issued — making LPC fluency the single most important qualification for an exterior architect in these neighborhoods.
Across all five boroughs — and 22 states beyond.
ArcheA’s exterior architecture practice covers all of New York City. Manhattan — Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village, West Village, Carnegie Hill, Morningside Heights, many within LPC historic districts. Brooklyn — Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, DUMBO, and Williamsburg, including Brooklyn’s extensive landmark districts.
Exterior work extends into Queens (Astoria, Forest Hills, Bayside, Jackson Heights, Long Island City), the Bronx (Riverdale, Pelham Bay, City Island), and Staten Island (Todt Hill, Lighthouse Hill, St. George) — and beyond NYC into Westchester County (Scarsdale, White Plains, Larchmont), New Jersey, Connecticut, and 23 U.S. states total.
Common questions.
The questions that come up most often in exterior design consultations — answered directly. If yours isn’t here, ask it directly. We’ll answer honestly, including when a project involves more regulatory complexity than it appears.
Do I need an architect for a facade renovation in NYC?
What is the NYC Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) and how does it affect exterior renovation?
How does the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) affect exterior renovation in NYC?
How much does a brownstone facade renovation cost in Brooklyn?
Can I add a rooftop terrace to my NYC building?
How long does an exterior renovation permit take in New York City?
Does ArcheA Studio design outdoor spaces and gardens in NYC?
Let’s talk about what you’re trying to build.
Whether you are renovating a Brooklyn brownstone facade, designing the exterior of a new building, improving curb appeal on a Staten Island home, or developing an outdoor space anywhere in New York City — the first conversation is free. No obligation, no sales pitch.