BKSK Architects

09/25/2026

As Climate Week NYC comes to a close, we’re highlighting some of the ways climate-conscious design is integrated into our work—from reducing energy use and embodied carbon to designing for resilience, reuse, and long-term performance.

Swipe through to see a few projects that reflect different approaches to designing for a changing climate!
 


Washington Square Park House | Greenwich Village, NYC
Designed with a small environmental footprint, Washington Square Park House combines passive design strategies, a high-performance envelope, solar panels, and a ground-source heat pump system. The building uses 55% less energy than a comparable building with conventional systems and achieved LEED Platinum certification.

Battery Playscape | The Battery, NYC
Located at the tip of Manhattan, the Battery Playscape responds to the site’s vulnerability to flooding and storm surge through resilient landscape strategies. Rain gardens and planted areas manage stormwater while making climate resilience part of the play experience. Today, The Battery is also undergoing the next phase of the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency strategy, with ongoing work to strengthen the waterfront against rising sea levels and storm surge.

Olmsted Center | Queens, NYC
A renovation and expansion of NYC Parks’ administration center focused on flood resilience and sustainable site design. Rain gardens, wetlands, and a raised stormwater channel system work together to manage water, while the new addition is elevated above the floodplain.

Douglaston–Little Neck QPL | Queens, NYC
A new community library designed around natural light, green space, and environmental performance. An occupiable green roof, all-electric mechanical system, PV panels, and high-performance envelope support the project’s goal of LEED Gold certification.

Queens Botanical Garden Education Center | Queens, NYC
Designed around passive strategies and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, the new Education Center makes environmental stewardship tangible through classrooms, demonstration gardens, and flexible indoor/outdoor spaces. The building is desi

09/24/2026

Celebrating the groundbreaking of Benedict Court!

Designed by BKSK, the new 120-unit affordable/market rate residential development is located on Benedict Place, just one block from Greenwich Avenue. The project will include 40% affordable housing alongside market-rate apartments, creating new housing options for Greenwich residents and those who work in the community.

The six-story development is organized as two buildings and takes cues from the character of downtown Greenwich. A warm red-brick exterior, varied masonry detailing, and carefully scaled windows help the project fit into its surroundings, while floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary amenities bring a fresh character to the residences.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a fitness center, dining room, private library, coworking space, and rooftop terrace. Resident parking will be located below grade, allowing the project to maintain a more pedestrian-focused presence along Benedict Place.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2028. It was great to celebrate this milestone with Benedict Court Development Company and A.P. Construction Company and look forward to seeing Benedict Court take shape in Greenwich!

09/16/2026

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved BKSK’s design for a new affordable and supportive housing building at 257 Canal Street in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension. Developed by Alembic Community Development and The Children’s Village, the 20-story project features a finely detailed masonry façade, a limestone base, and carefully proportioned massing that responds to the scale and character of the surrounding historic streetscape.

The building will provide 88 permanently affordable rental homes, including supportive housing for young adults aging out of foster care, alongside community spaces and ground-floor retail. A mural by artist Nancy Blum will further enrich the project’s public presence. Stay tuned for further project updates!
 

09/10/2026

Yesterday, the BKSK team came together to celebrate a major milestone at our residential project at Urby Hoboken. Designed by BKSK and developed by Urby and Ironstate, the nearly 450,000-square-foot building will bring 345 rental apartments, more than 17,000 square feet of retail, and a lush, stepped landscape to Hoboken.

With the structure now topped out, the project is one step closer to completion. We’re excited to share more as construction continues and the vision comes to life.

A huge thank you to K L Masters Construction for an amazing event, and to everyone helping bring this project to new heights.

08/31/2026

Construction continues on congregation Habonim’s (Congregation Habonim) new home in the residential building on Manhattan’s upper west side.

BKSK’s interior team continues to work diligently, overseeing construction, finishes and details that make up the symbolic and powerful design of the new synagogue spaces. These include the sanctuary, library, classrooms, and chapel.

Some progress photos seen here with their design counterparts- more can be found on the Synegogue’s website where regular new building updates are posted!

habonim.net/newbuilding

08/27/2026

A closer look inside the penthouse at The Surrey Residences.

Designed by BKSK, the residence brings together warm materials and a mix of open and intimate spaces. A custom staircase connects the different levels, adding a sculptural element to the home.
 
Interiors furnishings and finish selections by Katie Healey Designs. Kt
 
Photos by Evan Joseph 📸

08/25/2026

The went to St Louis!

In addition to a stop at the famous arch, we enjoyed the Elmslie and Sullivan architectural ornamentation exhibit at the City Museum. A permanent architectural terra cotta display, it features original ornamental designs by Louis Sullivan and his chief draftsman and collaborator, George Grant Elmslie.

Louis Sullivan was an influential architect of the Chicago School, a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an inspiration to the Chicago group of architects who have come to be known as the Prairie School, of which George Grant Elmslie is considered to be a member.

The display showcases intricate Sullivanian ornamentation salvaged from historic buildings, reflecting the close creative partnership between Sullivan and Elmslie during the early 20th century.

Read more about the City Museum, St Louis, MO: https://citymuseum.org/

Read a 1916 article on Sullivan in Architectural Record: https://brnw.ch/21wZU0M

Learn more: http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2414.html

08/19/2026

Last week, Chris Payne gave the BKSK team a brilliant tour of his exhibition at Cooper Hewitt, Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne. Bringing together more than 70 large-format photographs made over a decade, the exhibition offers a closer look at the craft of industrial and artisanal making across the United States—and the people and processes behind it.

On view through September 27. Catch it before it closes!

And a huge thank you to Christopher Payne
 

08/19/2026

08/17/2026

The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved BKSK’s design for the vertical expansion of 675 Hudson Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The project adds a one-story rooftop pavilion for Annabel’s, the London-based private members club’s first international location, while restoring and renovating the existing five-story commercial building.
 
Designed with an understated industrial character, the new pavilion complements the surrounding architecture while introducing a contemporary layer to the building. The project also includes façade updates, including multi-light windows and louvers, a reconfiguration of the ground-floor entrances and fenestration, and removal of the existing rooftop billboard. Stay tuned for further project updates!