I need an architect

She is Great. This is a husband and wife team. They did something that wioll be comming out in Dwell Magazine soon.

Diane Naiztat and Alex Ham
Naiztat + Ham Architects
430 West 14th Street - Ste. 302
New York, New York 10014
212-675-2932 (Phone)
212-647-1140 (Fax)

diane@nhany.com
alex@nhanay.com

www.nhany.com

http://martinsafrenaia.com/

1-800-7-permit

He deals a lot with emergency DOB situations.

William Rogers Architect
233 Spring Street
Suite 801
NYC, NY 10013
T. 212 524-8590
F. 212 524-8501

He is incredible! he specializes in co-op renovations - highly highly recommended

Honeycrisp, isn't he the founder of Rhode Island?

Chien Dao -
Chien Dao Studio
646-431-3335

chiendao@gmail.com --

He is great (chiendao.com) -- but his discounts pay for his serves - cabinets 50% list -

Thank you!

But oh dear, now I feel all shy and intimidated. It's not a very large or expensive apartment, and I don't really need a designer. I'm using IKEA cabinets with custom doors, and I've already picked out my appliances, tile, bathtub, etc. and figured out where I want to buy them.

Am I supposed to start by finding an architect, or start by finding a contractor who finds the architect?

DON'T USE IKEA cabinets. They are the worst pressed wood junk that I've ever dealt with. I sold my apartment with the new IKEA kitchen after 3 years because it was starting to slowly fall apart. Adjusting the doors to close properle every 3-6 months was a royal pain in the you know what.

I've had Ikea kitchen cabinets since I had them put in 3 years ago, and they've operated perfectly ... no hinge adjustments, nothing.

You can run kitchen plans by the very helpful crowd at http://www.ikeafans.com/forums/kitchen-planning/ ... especially if you use Ikea's somewhat clunky downloadable kitchen planning software.

Ideally, you'll use a certified Ikea installer. The one I used, who was amazing, is Philly-based, but might be able to recommend NY-licensed tradespeople and architects: http://www.ikeafans.com/directory/a-p-a-r-t-togetherchuck-shapiro-ikea-kitchen-installation-and-assembly-142.html

alanhart, aren't you embarrassed when people come over and out you?

i purchased mine after 3 of my friends had them installed within a 2 yr period. they just forgot to mention the adjustments and crappy cabinets until i asked them if they had the same issues. the answer was YES. they just thought that all cabinets were like that. they were moving from 1960's kitchens, so they didn't know any better.

BTW their clunky planning software is so handy I often use it to get a quick 3D perspective when planning any new space. I even used it to figure out elements on my terrace. I'm mixing and matching my kitchen with plenty of Ikea crap. I like the idea of completely changing the look in a few years with new fronts that are always available and always cheap.

the quality of ikea cabinets relies on having a good installer. the system uses blum hardware that is typically used by custom kitchen manufacturers. we've incorporated the ones with white doors in a lot of projects where budget is tight. So far, only one complaint after almost 10 years of doing so (we discovered that the contractor did not correctly install the connectors to lock) If you add some custom elements like handles, countertop and play with your configuration, no one can tell. good luck with the renovation work

spinnaker1, I live in a perpetual state of embarrassment, so there's no noticeable effect from people knowing that I shop at The Swedish Maze of Death (as one friend calls it).

Sure I'd love to use a certified IKEA installer, but I also need plans stamped by an architect for my co-op board - and I need other work done as well, e.g. updating the electrical system, gutting and redoing the bathroom.

I'm really confused about who I find first, and for what. I assume that the IKEA installers can't do the other work I need, and probably can't get me the necessary architect's stamp? I'm willing to be my own GC - hiring an IKEA installer, a plumber, a tile guy, an electrician, etc. separately - but I'm not sure where to begin.

@ suzanne. don't be your own GC. the architect will find a suitable GC for the job. that is how it works 99% of the time. good luck

HI Suzanne,

I went through a similar situation and found THE BEST, most honest (yes, I really used that word!) contractor around. He can get you an architect and every skilled trade person you will need. It makes much more since to go through him, rather than being your own GC. He will get much better pricing, believe me! I recommended him to a friend and he just completely renovated her 3 bed, 3 bath apartment. He also did 2 other friends smaller projects-bathrooms and kitchens and a total studio reno. They are all thrilled with his work and more importantly, his integrity. Feel free to contact me for his number. I'm @ tracycalvanico@gmail.com.

Best of luck!

Ikea and Architect should never be used in same sentence, paragraph or story. Kinda like honesty and politician.

I am an architect and work for a small design/build firm in the city. That just means we are architects and contractors. We do all scales of jobs from a kitchen/bath remodel to entire buildings. We have done plenty of your kind of job before. We have people on staff that can execute your project from the design drawing phase through the last stroke of paint on your renovation.

If you hire an architect for the plans to be created and stamped for the co-op board, do they also require a DOB permit? If you hire separate contractor, he/she will then have to pull the permit from the DOB, an architect will most likely charge you for expeditor services. Its a lot to deal with, i have heard that before 'i will be my own gc,' but if you do not know how the project should phase, the infrastructure of the plumbing and electrical, it may just turn into finger pointing from the subs you hire if something does not work out.

Feel free to look us up www.faheydesignbuild.com or reach out to me, Brian bpurdy@faheydesignbuild.com.

We have plenty of job references in the city, a cabinet shop connected to our office, and the ability to help you anyway you need. The more you know about what you want to do, if you have fixtures chosen and materials picked, the quicker and smoother it will go.