Architect: Lauren Rubin Architecture

Gut renovation of a 1,700 SF three bedroom,
two and a half bathroom apartment in Hudson
Heights. The project posed several
challenges as the layout of the apartment
was unique to the building. The new layout
consists of a combined kitchen-dining-living
area, master suite, two bedrooms each with
a bathroom and a study area. By opening
the plan, removing archways in the doorways,
upgrading all the finishes and lighting,
the apartment flooded with natural light. The
openness of the plan allows for a continuous
flow between the spaces. The client’s transitional
style gave us an opportunity for a beautiful
combination of traditional elements, reuse
of some of the original details such as door
hardware and moldings with lots of modern
touches throughout. Each space has its own
unique light fixture that truly completes it and
gives it, its own presence. No area goes unused
here and great deal of storage is provided
throughout. Custom millwork ties all of
the elements together in a gorgeous composition.
I was in charge of this project from
the beginning stages of design all the way
to final completion. I developed schematic
studies, client presentations, renderings,
DOB and construction drawings sets. I coordinated
between all those involved to ensure
the design and quality is carried out in the
intended matter. The project was featured in
an article on Houzz.

Architect: Lauren Rubin Architecture

Gut renovation of a 1,000 SF apartment on the Upper West Side in New York. The original apartment was an outdated
1 bedroom, 1 bath. It was important to the client to add an additional bedroom and a full bathroom to the original
layout as they were expecting a new family member soon. The final layout not only provided them with 2 bedrooms
and 2 bathrooms but we even found space for a small home office. The living, dining and the kitchen were all open
to each other and made the space feel a lot bigger than it actually was. The client’s eclectic style can be seen in the
finishes and antique elements throughout. Despite the budget being limited we managed to turn this old and outdated
apartment into an open, flexible & cozy home just in time to welcome the new baby. I worked closely with the
client to make sure that the design meets all of their needs, stays within the budget and is on schedule. I procured
the permits from Landmarks and Department of Buildings and prepared a full set of construction documents for the
contractor. During construction I coordinated with the contractor and sub-contractors to ensure the design is being
realized as planned and that the work is of the desired quality.

Architect: Lauren Rubin Architecture

Recently completed 2,500 SF vertical apartment combination on the Upper West Side. The client purchased a penthouse
above her existing 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom apartment and needed to combine the two. The project posed
many challenges in the construction stage. The originally planned staircase had to be reconfigured and redesigned
due to major water risers located in the floor. Despite the site conditions which affected the design, we were able
to bring the project to a successful completion. The client required clean lines and flat surfaces for a maintenance
free apartment. Her love of color gave us a great opportunity to create bold statements with modern design. The
staircase is illuminated by a custom high gloss lacquer panels which allow for a unique experience while in route.
We made the most of every nook and cranny with custom millwork throughout the apartment which provides lots of
essential storage. I worked closely with the client in the development of the design, produced full sets of DOB, Landmark
and Construction Documents and procured DOB and Landmark Permits. During construction I coordinated
and worked with sub-consultants, contractors and sub-contractors to make sure all site concerns and conditions
are addressed in appropriate matter.

Architect: Lauren Rubin Architecture

This was 800 SF outdated, poorly lit one bedroom, one bathroom apartment was converted into a calm, open and
stylish home for an urban couple. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, plastered with antiquated tiling,
dingy veneer cabinetry, old appliances and fluorescent lighting. We removed the wall separating the kitchen from
the living and dining space creating an open living plan, kitchen island, built-in banquette and a new spacious and
functional entryway. Bathroom got a complete makeover from new modern vanity to tasteful blue-gray tiles going
all the way up to the ceiling. I oversaw the project during construction phase making sure that the original design is
carried out as seamlessly as possible. My collaboration with the contractor and all the sub-contractors resulted in
the project being completed right on schedule and within the intended budget.

Client: SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology

Architect: David Smotrich & Partners LLP

The project consisted of modernizing two existing boardrooms located on the ninth floor of the Feldman Center at FIT, opposite each other. This was a gut rehabilitation project. Upon completion, the rooms had all new finishes, furniture, accent lighting, major HVAC improvements, upgraded fire protection systems, coffered ceilings, upgraded IT/AV capabilities and specialty millwork. Prior to the start of work a complete physical analysis of the space documenting asbestos, structural issues, heating and cooling problems, sound issues and ADA compliance was completed. The design addressed each issue. The project was completed on time and within budget. I was a  part of the design team, development of construction documents and I aided the Project Architect throughout the Construction Management Phase.

Client: SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology

Architect: David Smotrich & Partners LLP

This was a complete renovation of outdated laboratory space into seven modern computer classrooms. Fire rated glass corridor doors, sidelights and clerestories allow borrowed light from the classrooms into the corridors. The result is a visual connection between the spaces. Back painted glass was used as an attractive writing surface in lieu of whiteboards. Technology is integrated throughout the spaces with the use of flat screen displays, projectors, audio systems and lighting controls to provide an optimal learning environment.

The furniture in the space was carefully selected based on the use of each room. Student tables with comprehensive wire management are used for desktop computers while flexible furniture on casters is used in spaces that are reconfigured often based on the teaching lesson. Specialty mill work was designed for each space according to its needs. I aided the Project Architect throughout the entire duration of the project.

Client: SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology

Architect: David Smotrich & Partners LLP 

Alumni Hall Lounge provides students at FIT with a space where they can be productive in group projects and have a space for meetings and social gatherings. The renovation uplifted the previously unpleasant space to where work & play are hand -in-hand with another. The renovation included upgraded flooring in designated areas, new furnishings, new lighting and new ceiling. Awesome teal color and a dynamic graphic on the wall were added to brighten it up with some pizzazz! I was fortunate to bring the project from the earliest stages of design through the construction documents preparation to the final completion. Although a low budget renovation it has been turned into a successful and uplifting space!

Client: SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology

Architect: David Smotrich & Partners LLP

The original Community Room at one of FIT's dorm buildings was outdated and in poor condition. The project was a fast-track summer project. The idea for the space was to provide the residents of the Nagler Hall Building with a pleasant and fun area that would allow them to work on their projects throughout the semester as well as provide room in which they can socialize and get to know other residents of the building. The room is designed with flexibility in mind so that the students can reconfigure it according to the activities that are taking place at a given moment.The space has a side kitchen in which they can prepare meals and a TV to screen movies on. The project involved updating finishes, furniture, flooring as well as kitchen cabinets and appliances. I was involved in Project Management during the construction phase.

Client: SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology

Architect: David Smotrich & Partners LLP

This renovation was divided into two phases due to limited funding. The first phase included the conversion of part of the electrical room into very much needed storage area, renovation of two offices and the bathroom. It was a fast track job and it is still under construction. In the second phase of the design which is scheduled for the summer of 2015 the rest of the offices will be renovated and all the finishes will be upgraded. I was a part of the design team, the development of construction documents and was responsible for construction administration.

The design of the H+ Dance Center was done for the Hip Hop Dance Conservatory, a company for dancers by dancers aimed at cultivating an environment of sustainability and longevity within their craft. As a fluid and growing art-form evolves, dancers need forward thinking, empathetic, creative architects of their new professional landscape. H+ serves those needs via pedagogy, repertory, advocacy, medical research, infrastructure and design. The future home of the company will provide not only affordable dance space to all dancers of all kinds but also affordable housing for artists and dancers, sustainable office spaces for companies, facilities for medical research but most importantly it will become a hub for artists and dancers and for the community of New York City. It is currently in the very beginning stages of design. More coming soon!

The Seward Park Area is one of the oldest sections in the city. For decades this part of town was the center of the melting pot for newcomers. Half a century ago this neighborhood was occupied by the elite professionals and intellectuals of the new immigrants. Naturally the second and third generations of the new immigrants moved to the other parts of the city, living behind the old and the weak. Eventually the neighborhood deteriorated into a slum was heavily congested with buildings, which contributed to the spread of disease. The Seward Park was designed to eliminate the slums that were present in the area.

The idea behind the project was to mimic the old movement of people through the site. The performance center is meant to bring back the life and energy to the place, at the same time respecting the existing library and recreation building. The new addition looks as though the existing buildings are compressing it in the middle. The building splits into five "fingers". Each finger is meant for different function. One is for the cafe, another for the theater and backstage support and the last one is for the library and the media rooms. Where the fingers split is where the entrances to the building are. There are many entrances because each programmatic element can function on its own while others are closed.

Fourth Year Design Studio

The site for the project is located in Yonkers, New York on Ashburton Avenue. Because the site is a steep hill, the project follows the landscape conditions & contours. It therefore is the determining factor of the form of the building. The building making the most of the natural conditions provides sun exposure and cross ventilation as well as georgious views. The units are prefabricated and assembled on site. Each floor follows its own path therefore creating space for balconies. The first floor consists of one bedroom apartments whereas the second and thrid floor are duplexes and each has four bedrooms. The volumes of the individual apartments shift in order to allow the most used spaces to recieve direct sunlight. 

The client of this house was a college professor with a great collection of books and art. The concept for the house therefore emerged from using this collection and placing it on the main wall of the house which run through the entire length of the building. The main circulation was to follow the main wall so one would be in constant awe of the collection as one moved through the house. The rest of the programmatic elements were all connected to that main circulation space. The living area was located right at the entry of the house. The deeper one gets into the house the more private the spaces get.