News
The Labor Crisis Nobody Is Talking About: Who Is Actually Building New York
Roughly half of New York City’s construction workforce is foreign-born.
That is not a side note. It is the foundation of the entire system.
These are the people pouring concrete, framing walls, installing systems, and doing the daily work that turns drawings into buildings. Without them, nothing moves.
Over the past year, that workforce has become less visible — and in many cases, less available.
Between February and June 2025, the foreign-born workforce declined by approximately 150,000 workers nationally, after increasing by 186,000 during the same period the year before.
That reversal is not theoretical. It is showing up on job sites.
The 99-Unit Loophole: How 485-x Is Reshaping What Gets Built
When 421-a expired in 2022, the effect was immediate and predictable. Development slowed, projects stalled, and many in the industry stepped back entirely. The program had its flaws, but it did something essential: it made rental housing financially viable in New York City.
Its replacement, 485-x, is the new tax abatement program passed at the state level, designed to reinvigorate the development of affordable housing by private sector developers. It does that by offering multi-year property tax relief in exchange for the developer’s commitment to hitting specific affordability targets.
The law aims to fix the flaws of 421-a, bringing more affordability. stronger tenant protections, and better wages for construction workers. On paper, it is a more equitable program.
In practice, it is producing something more complicated.
NYC is Building More Housing Than in the Past 60 Years, Why Aren't Developers Optimistic?
NYC is Building More Housing Than in the Past 60 Years, Why Aren't Developers Optimistic? By the second quarter of 2025, something had shifted. 424 new building filings were made at the Department of Buildings, a 28 percent increase over the prior year and a 43 percent increase over Q1 2025. On the completions side, the story looks even better — on the surface. New York City was on pace to complete 50,000 new homes in 2025, far exceeding 2024's 34,000 units, which itself had been the highest number of new homes built in the city since 1965.
New Synagogue going through the approval process
A lot goes into getting a new project approved, especially when located in a protected district. The neighborhoods of Riverdale and Fieldston in the Bronx have the double challenge of being historically protected and also in a Special Natural Area District. This means additional measures must be taken to protect the environment. For this new 4,100 square foot synagogue, Community Board 8 met to give their approval.
Announcing our brand new apartment building in Brooklyn
On the site of an old ballroom, we are collaborating with Double U Development to build a new 7 story, 60 unit apartment building. Previous plans included a retail building that was scrapped in favor of much-needed housing
Interviewing for Design Firms
What makes design careers different? Your portfolio can include some of the aspirational concept designs you want to build someday, but the majority of it should be the skills you are selling right now!
Interviews
There is already plenty of content online regarding how to nail an interview. In this blog, we will explore what may be different for architectural and design careers, why this common advice actually matters, and where it can go wrong.
Announcing our exciting new collaboration with Ecosystems Energy
Announcing new sustainable energy pilot program! We are proud to share progress from our exciting new collaboration with Ecosystems Energy. At Chelsea’s Fulton Houses Campus the “UTEN” Utility Thermal Energy Network pilot project brings Con Edison and Ecosystems Energy into a partnership with NYCHA to create a cutting-edge low-carbon power source.
Communication
How you reply to an initial reach out tells potential employers loads about how you communicate and what kind of employee you would be. In this article I will share some common mistakes whether communicating via email or phone and what to do instead.
Michael’s remarks in memoriam for Robert A M Stern
Michael’s remarks to New York City landmarks Preservation Commission in Memoriam for Robert A M Stern architect upon his death.
Internet Presence
In this post, I highlight the three most important aspects of an online presence when you are searching for work.
Building Studio Acquires Gregg Rothstein Architects
We are excited to announce that Building Studio will be acquiring the practice of colleague and code expert Gregg Rothstein. We look forward to continuing to service his clients, while offering our clients his expertise, experience and resources.
Does anyone still write cover letters?
Does anyone write cover letters anymore? Let’s dive in with a new edition of Working Architecture
Midcentury Modern Sanctuary Transformed in New Haven
We’re proud to share new photos from our recent synagogue renovation at Beth El – Keser Israel (BEKI), a Conservative synagogue serving the Jewish community in New Haven’s Westville neighborhood
AI can write my resume! …right?
Welcome back to Working Architecture, our blog about all things working in architecture! This time, we dive into resumes.
Introducing: Working Architecture
Welcome to our new blog, Working Architecture where we talk all things working in architecture and architectural related fields!
Introducing AndMore: The New Marketplace at Starrett Lehigh
We’re excited to share recent photos showcasing the newly completed AndMore space on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Landmarked Starrett Lehigh Building; a full-block, formerly industrial building in Chelsea.
Capital Improvements: Amenity Upgrades and Owner Services
At Building Studio, we’re proud to work with a number of New York’s largest property owners such as Tishman Speyer, RXR and Beam Living [a Blackstone Company] on capital improvement projects for both commercial and residential buildings.
YIOZ Synagogue wins TWO Prestigious Awards!
Synagogue project recognized with a design award from QBBA: Young Israel Ohab Zedek is a local Bronx synagogue being recognized by the Queens Bronx Building Association for design excellence!