Architects Handel

At the core of our practice is the idea that cities are the incubators of our greatest achievements, and the best hope for a sustainable future. We believe that architecture and design matter, and that through the application of our skills, passion, talent, and hard work we can make a difference in the world. Recent solutions include a new approach to affordable housing at Sendero Verde in Harlem, a creative approach to the reuse of existing infrastructure at Pier 57 on Manhattan's West Side, and the creation of new sustainability standards for a major development partner.

Handel Architects was founded in 1994 with a commitment to making cities better places to live. We believe that architecture and design matter, and that through our work, we can make a positive difference in the world. We strive to create buildings that are not just things in themselves, but serve as catalysts for positive urban and social change. With over 200 architects and designers in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Hong Kong, our work encompasses projects like the National September 11 Memorial, urban infrastructure and master planning projects, high-density mixed-use developments, multi-family projects across all income bands, hotels, corporate headquarters, and buildings for non-profit, institutional and educational clients around the world.

Interiors are the soul of a building. They bring an architectural project to life, provide comfort, richness, sophistication, elegance, and a timeless quality. The selection of materials, as well as excellent craftsmanship and details - and a deep sense of history and context - is important, and is where we spend our time. These elements are what bring character to our interiors and allow us to elevate the design of the projects we work on. Our residential lobbies are crafted to create a sense of oasis and welcome: people want a feeling of "coming home" when they walk through the front door.

Creating the spaces that people live in, raise their families in, and grow old in, is a tremendous responsibility. Housing is also the essential building block of a neighborhood, and therefore a key ingredient for a successful, living, urban environment. Our clients work with us because of our deep knowledge of this building type. Our work sells and rents at the top of the market in cities around the world. Handel Architects-designed buildings hold $/SF sales records in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Manila.

We believe that the creation of a supportive office culture in which each of us can continue to grow and learn creates the best platform to do great, innovative work. The Whiteboard Groups are employee-led common interest groups within Handel Architects. Anyone can start one and everyone is encouraged to participate. These groups encourage a cross-pollination of ideas through both intellectual and social meet-ups. They also serve as a platform to impact the way our offices are run. We believe that by fostering individual growth within a supportive office culture, we can achieve more collectively.

Sustainable design is at the core of our practice, and is rooted in the belief that architecture and design matter - that through our work, we can make a difference in the world. Since buildings account for roughly 45% of U.S. carbon output, it is imperative that we design with future generations in mind. Handel Architects is a world leader in sustainable design, and we are the single most experienced firm in the world at large-scale Passive House design. Our work includes The House, which was designed for Cornell Tech's new campus in New York City, and is both LEED Platinum and Passive House certified.