PBDW Architects

PBDW Architects PBDW Architects provides intelligent, critical, creative responses to a wide range of cultural, comm

A collegial practice of partners, associates and staff, PBDW Architects has consistently delivered award-winning, evocative buildings that enrich their contexts. Our work is energized by the dichotomy between original designs for new buildings and the conscientious restoration of major historic landmarks. Consequently, much of our work explores the interplay between the new and the old, and the no

tion that each can invigorate the other. We have extensive experience creating new designs in historic contexts, and a special reputation for the design of contemporary additions to historic buildings. A culture of collaboration enables us to produce responsive, innovative, and sustainable architecture. We work closely with our clients to craft thoughtful and forward-thinking solutions, while our commitment to the environment, to design excellence, and to technological innovation grows out of the passions of our entire staff.

07/23/2026

In a city known for its density, the Wade Thompson Drill Hall is one of the largest unobstructed spaces to be found, at 55,000 square feet and with 80-foot-high vaulted ceilings. Upon entering the space, it's easy to be struck by its vastness, and potential for auditory immersion.

The interiors of the Drill Hall, which once housed balls, orchestras, and music festivals, are well suited to wide, arching echoes. This collaboration of sound and space is what the Clinamen show at Park Avenue Armory seeks to explore through its use of pools and chiming ceramic bowls. Each collision contributes to an organic musical score, responding to the architecture of the environment and resulting in a sound that is meditative, unpredictable, and surprisingly gentle. Dimly lit except for an oversized oculus, the space reinvents itself for a contemporary audience, though the echoes of its history can still be heard.

The installation has been extended to August 9th, 2026, so be sure to check out the experience in person before summer is over.

05/26/2026

Sotheby’s recently debuted their new headquarters in the Breuer building during their spring auction, which closed sales last week. The auction also coincided with the grand opening of Marcel, a luxury, destination restaurant named for the architect behind the iconic brutalist building.

Sotheby’s purchased the Breuer museum with a vision to create a modern auction house and a new concept driven restaurant, and PBDW was engaged as the Architect of Record and the Preservation Architect for both aspects of the project. The Breuer received historic designation during the design process, which required working hand-in-hand with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for all historically sensitive modifications.

Exhibitions in the newly-renovated galleries are free, open to the public, and always worth a visit!

In honor of International Women’s Day, we recognize the essential roles women hold throughout the AEC industries. At PBD...
03/06/2026

In honor of International Women’s Day, we recognize the essential roles women hold throughout the AEC industries. At PBDW women make up 53% of our firm and 60% of our leadership. They are invaluable to the success of our projects, the culture of our practice and are leaders in our industry.

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On an ongoing project near Central Park, we admire the process of construction, the bones of a building, and the anticip...
03/05/2026

On an ongoing project near Central Park, we admire the process of construction, the bones of a building, and the anticipation of new beginnings.

Carl Raymond, the host of “The Gilded Gentleman”, interviews people involved in various disciplines centering around the...
03/05/2026

Carl Raymond, the host of “The Gilded Gentleman”, interviews people involved in various disciplines centering around the turn of the nineteenth century. A few months ago he spoke with Thayer Tolles about the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Thayer is the curator of sculpture at the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum and the Chair of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial. In this episode he has a conversation with PBDW Founding Partner Samuel White about Stanford White.

Follow the BIO 🔗 to hear the full episode

PBDW Associate Partner Brigitte Cook will be speaking at the 2026 APTNE Annual Meeting and Symposium “Bright Ideas: Tech...
03/04/2026

PBDW Associate Partner Brigitte Cook will be speaking at the 2026 APTNE Annual Meeting and Symposium “Bright Ideas: Technology & Transformation in Perservation” with her segment “The Powerhouse: From Power to Possibility” with Eytan Solomon from of TYLin.

For more information or to register click on the BIO 🔗

Anne Holford-Smith has been a practicing architect for 40 years, joining PBDW in 1992, and becoming a Partner in 2017. H...
02/24/2026

Anne Holford-Smith has been a practicing architect for 40 years, joining PBDW in 1992, and becoming a Partner in 2017. Her distinguished career includes a wide variety of prominent projects, and as an expert in the preservation field, her work has helped cement PBDW’s longstanding presence in that field. Through a broad range of building types, including additions to and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, pure preservation, and new construction within historic contexts, the common theme of her work is the interplay between new and old, rooted in their unique context.

She directed the firm’s award-winning restoration work on the Cooper Union Foundation Building, the New York Appellate Division Courthouse, Green-Wood’s Fort Hamilton Guesthouses, the cast iron 462 Broadway, and the Knox Building. Some of her favorite recently completed projects include the Net-Zero energy Fellows Hall residence at Williams College, the Moise Safra Center, and Belden House & Mews.

Ms. Holford-Smith received her Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute. She is an AIA Fellow, a member of the Association for Preservation Technology and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, served as a Commissioner on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission from 2018 to 2024, and is currently Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees for the Preservation League of New York State. When Anne isn’t busy at the office or on a job site, she can be found driving her convertible with the top down.

Click on the bio 🔗 to learn more Anne’s architectural legacy

Many of us attended the Paul S. Byard Memorial lecture at Columbia last Tuesday, delivered this year by Victor Meesters ...
02/20/2026

Many of us attended the Paul S. Byard Memorial lecture at Columbia last Tuesday, delivered this year by Victor Meesters and Tom Schoonjans of Rotor . They described their projects as deconstruction interventions —“the dismantling, processing and sale of reusable building materials”. This was presented alongside a history of building demolition, from Hausmann’s renovation of Paris, to the cyclical patterns of destruction and reconstruction that ring through the history of New York, to the disappearance of material reuse practices brought on by the new construction technologies and international markets of the post-war period. 

The talk struck a chord between historic preservation and sustainability, two overlapping topics that are often siloed in architectural discourse. 

Special thanks to Jorge Otero-Pailos for organizing the lecture, and to Columbia GSAPP.

The interior design approach for this multifamily development in Murray Hill focuses on creating warmth and lightness to...
02/19/2026

The interior design approach for this multifamily development in Murray Hill focuses on creating warmth and lightness to foster comfort in a residential setting. It aims to cultivate an atmosphere that feels cohesive and intimate, supporting a strong sense of community among residents. The selection of materials, the use of natural light, and the organization of space were carefully considered to promote the overall health and wellness of the tenants.

The façade design of the building reflects the unique, genteel character of Murray Hill, blending old-world charm with m...
02/19/2026

The façade design of the building reflects the unique, genteel character of Murray Hill, blending old-world charm with modern aesthetics. The textures and colors draw inspiration from classical Parisian architecture, while the green accents create an interesting layering of depth against the main façade.

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