Tong Dong Architects

06/18/2026

Most people think comfort comes from finishes.

But comfort starts inside the wall.

A wall only works when it manages:
* water
* air
* heat
* moisture

When one layer fails, you feel it:
drafts, cold surfaces, humidity, discomfort.

Good buildings aren’t just designed.
They’re layered intentionally.

06/03/2026

I didn’t build TDA around wellness because it was trendy. I built it because home became personal.

I grew up noticing how much light, air, privacy, noise, and routine shape the way a family feels.

Years later, after working on schools, hotels, offices, and high-end homes, that belief only became stronger.

Then 2020 changed the meaning of home for all of us.

And becoming a mother changed how I saw every material, room, and renovation decision.

Through Tong D**g Architects, I help families renovate with health, wellness, and long-term comfort in mind.

Follow along if you’re planning a renovation and want your home to support the way your family actually lives.

05/30/2026

Saturday morning in NYC usually sounds like sirens and trash trucks.

But inside, it should feel like a deep breath.

Most homeowners think "wellness" is a fancy candle or a yoga mat. In reality, it’s the invisible systems that keep your home calm while the city remains chaotic.

It’s about how the morning light hits your kitchen table because we prioritized natural flow over cluttered hallways. It’s about breathing air that’s been properly filtered, so you actually wake up feeling rested.

We design homes to be a sanctuary, not just a square footage calculation. When you live in a high-performance city, your home needs to perform even better.

Enjoy the quiet today.

DOWNLOAD THE CALM RENOVATION STARTER KIT FOR A HOME THAT BREATHES:
https://www.tongdong-arch.com/starter-kit

05/18/2026

Is your morning brain fog actually just bad air? 🌫️

Most NYC parents blame late nights or caffeine for that heavy, groggy feeling. But in a sealed-up townhouse, the real culprit is often invisible: rising CO2 levels and stagnant air.

We call it the Invisible Wellness gap.

When we renovate, we prioritize Units that Breathe. This isn't just about traditional HVAC; it’s about Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs).

An ERV works like a pair of lungs for your home. It constantly swaps stale, indoor air for filtered, fresh outdoor air while regulating humidity: all without losing your heat or AC.

The result?
- Deeper sleep for the kids.
- Sharper focus for you.
- A home that feels light, not stuffy.

Don't let your renovation stop at the surface. Build a system that supports your family’s health from the inside out.

Ready to plan a home that truly breathes? Download our Calm Renovation Starter Kit: https://www.tongdong-arch.com/starter-kit

05/17/2026

Beauty that doesn’t off-gas: A wellness tour.

In NYC, we’re often told a “fresh” renovation smell is a sign of progress. But for a nursery, that smell is a red flag. It’s usually the sound of VOCs off-gassing from paints, glues, and synthetic fibers into your baby’s lungs.

When we designed this space, we prioritized air quality over the “new car” scent. We swapped standard paint for breathable lime-wash walls that naturally regulate humidity. Instead of engineered flooring held together with mystery adhesives, we installed FSC-certified hardwood. An organic wool rug: naturally fire-resistant without the heavy chemical additives found in synthetic versions.

Creating a healthy environment for your children shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. It’s about a sequence of smart, protective choices that keep your home safe long after the contractors leave.

If you’re planning a renovation but feel overwhelmed by material safety, start with a system that creates clarity.

Download our Calm Renovation Starter Kit at the link in our bio.

05/16/2026

The loudest thing in your bedroom should be your breath.

In NYC, we’re taught to tolerate the “city that never sleeps”: the midnight sirens, the trash trucks, and the hum of traffic. But chronic noise is more than an annoyance. It’s a health risk that keeps your nervous system on high alert, even while you sleep.

Acoustic luxury isn’t about silence; it’s about control. We approach sound through invisible systems: triple-glazed windows that block the street, dense acoustic insulation tucked behind the drywall, and smart layouts that buffer sleeping areas from common walls.

When you solve for sound, you solve for recovery. You aren’t just renovating a room; you’re protecting your deep sleep.

Grab our FREE Calm Renovation Starter Kit (our checklists + starter map in one place) via the link in our bio to get the sequence right from day one.

When you’re ready to go deeper, the paid Calm Renovation Clarity for Families walks you step-by-step from “idea” to close-out.

06/09/2015

Help our friends at Made in the Lower East Side win $100K to scale their model beyond the LES! They’re all about activating urban neighborhoods, incubating entrepreneurship, and opening storefronts up to the possibilities of pop­ups; galleries, popup shops, supper clubs, anything you can think up!

Voting takes two clicks (including clicking that link below):

http://bit.ly/miLES100k

Vote for Made in Lower East Side at https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/b/75913 - Chase's Mission Main Street Grants program for Small Business is in full swing! Apply or vote today! Learn more here: www.missionmainstreetgrants.com

05/02/2015

1200 connection points, 900 meters of bamboo, 200 square LCD panels, 40 speakers, 10 minutes of film along a 35 meter long path in 35,000 liters of water.

Exhibit installation at the EXPO Milano 2015 designed by Anthony for Ralph Appelbaum Associates in Studio Libeskind's Vanke Pavilion.