Founded in 1960 by Judith and Harold Edelman, ESKW/Architects has built a legacy of design excellence rooted in social impact. With over six decades of experience in New York City’s design and construction industry, we specialize in partnering with mission-driven organizations, institutions, and government agencies to create innovative and practical spaces that provide housing, education, healthcare, and cultural opportunities to all New Yorkers.

Design Philosophy

At the core of our design philosophy is the commitment to enhancing how people experience and interact with the built environment. We focus on:

  • Light, Color, and Texture: Harnessing natural light and employing texture and color to bring warmth and vitality to our projects.

  • Sustainability: Incorporating current, sustainable strategies such as Passive House standards, LEED-equivalent designs, and locally sourced healthy materials, ensuring eco-friendly solutions that meet budgetary needs.

  • Cultural Context: Respecting the historical and demographic significance of every site, creating designs that reflect and enrich their communities.

  • Functionality and Beauty: Balancing practicality with aesthetic quality, ensuring our projects serve their purpose while uplifting the spirit of those who use them.

Our Services

We approach every project as a partnership, collaborating closely with clients to ensure their vision is realized. We believe our work is as much about the people we serve as it is about the spaces we design. Our process includes:

  • Understanding the Mission: We begin by immersing ourselves in our clients’ goals, community needs, and operational requirements. This foundational step ensures our designs are mission-aligned and user-focused.

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Limited budgets and challenging regulations inspire innovative solutions. Our expertise in local codes, agency approvals, and constructability ensures feasibility without sacrificing creativity.

  • Collaborative Design: Our team of over 30 architectural professionals works closely with clients, consultants, and community stakeholders. This partnership fosters open communication and a shared commitment to excellence.

  • Seamless Execution: From initial feasibility studies to construction administration, we guide projects through every phase with rigorous attention to detail, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.

  • Architecture is a unique blend of artistry and responsibility, shaping the world while safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of its inhabitants. At its core, it bridges the technical and the cultural—addressing social, aesthetic, ethical, and historical dimensions to create meaningful spaces that stand the test of time. At ESKW/A, we embrace this dual role with pride, empathy, and expertise. Our approach harmonizes art and science, blending thoughtful design with practical innovation. By balancing form, function, and cost, we deliver solutions that are not only exceptional and enduring but also resonate deeply with the communities they serve.

  • Interior Design enhances both the aesthetic and functional qualities of spaces while seamlessly integrating them with a building’s overall design. At ESKW/A, we craft environments that are accessible, intuitive, and joyful, tailored to meet the unique needs of clients and the communities they serve. Understanding that interior spaces can profoundly affect well-being, we incorporate trauma-informed design principles and, when possible, conduct workshops with end users to further ensure that we are creating spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and responsive. This approach is particularly meaningful when designing for individuals who have experienced trauma or benefit from environments that foster calm and inclusivity. Every project tells a story, and we take pride in shaping and sharing it, creating spaces that inspire dignity, comfort, and connection.

  • We have extensive experience working with clients who respect and uphold the historical character of their communities. With roots in New York City’s preservation movement, ESKW/A has spent decades preserving the city’s architectural heritage while integrating it into the modern world. We work with nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations, and others who value cultural and historic significance. Our expertise spans from small renovations to complex adaptive reuse projects, always balancing the protection of cultural heritage with the current needs of the city and its residents. Through our work, we help keep New York’s vibrant history alive while ensuring it meets the needs of today’s communities.

  • Every project begins with a comprehensive Zoning and Site Analysis, examining the legal, infrastructural, historical, climatic, and geographical context of the site. This critical step allows us to identify zoning restrictions, regulatory requirements, and potential challenges early, ensuring our designs align seamlessly with the site, community, and environmental goals. With over six decades of experience navigating NYC’s ever-evolving zoning landscape and a portfolio of successful projects across all five boroughs, we bring unparalleled expertise to this process. Our deep understanding of local regulations, coupled with our commitment to staying ahead of zoning changes, gives us a unique advantage in designing compliant, efficient, and contextually thoughtful buildings.

  • When a development team is ready to move forward but needs clarity on a project’s scope and goals, ESKW/Architects steps in to guide the way. We assemble a team of experts tailored to the project’s needs, conducting site visits and preparing preliminary designs to assess programmatic and spatial requirements. Our comprehensive feasibility studies provide critical insights into a project’s viability, often including a zoning analysis, detailed programming breakdown, test fit options, and cost estimates. This collaborative approach ensures the team has a clear roadmap for success, from initial concept to realization.

  • Setting the foundation for subsequent design and construction phases, Architectural Programming ensures that the resulting architectural design reflects a client’s vision, programming objectives, and functional requirements. Working closely with the client and any other stakeholders including local community members and end-users, we seek to understand the client’s method of operation, the specific needs of the community being served, and any existing challenges and limitations. Through workshops, surveys, interviews, and site visits, we’ll develop a programming strategy that marries the social and physical programming needs of the project. An effective programming strategy helps minimize design changes during the later stages, reduces costs, and ensures that the design aligns with the client’s vision.