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.

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.

Happy President’s Day! On this special day, we are delighted to celebrate a long-standing relationship we have had with ...
02/16/2026

Happy President’s Day!

On this special day, we are delighted to celebrate a long-standing relationship we have had with . The New York Historical offers an opportunity to discover 400 years of American History as New York’s first museum.

Our relationship with them started in 2005 and since then we have worked on the development of a masterplan, renovations to the Central Park West and 77th Street entrances, the redesign of the first and fourth floor galleries, as well as the Luce Center and Tiffany Galleries, and finally, their auditorium, visitor services, and Children’s Gallery.

We look forward to continuing our work together and honor the education they continue to share!

nycarchitecture

James Seger has been a practicing architect in New York City for over 35 years and has been a partner at PBDW since 2013...
02/13/2026

James Seger has been a practicing architect in New York City for over 35 years and has been a partner at PBDW since 2013.  Jim has a deep appreciation for the city as an ever-evolving organism, full of opportunity but also in need of caretaking.  Throughout his career he’s focused on helping non-profit cultural, educational and religious organizations further their missions through design that both inspires its occupants and gives something back to the community. Through his work on such venerable buildings as the Park Avenue Armory, Powerhouse Arts, and The Palace Theatre, Jim has explored ways that the adaptive reuse of buildings can help to maintain the cultural richness of NYC’s neighborhoods while offering updated and contemporary uses of their spaces.

His portfolio is varied and vibrant, and his projects include the renovation of the Breuer Building for Sotheby’s, a new headquarters for DeSales Media Group, Equinox’s flagship health club at Hudson Yards, and the Spence School’s lower school.  Jim earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Mississippi State University School of Architecture. He is a member of the AIA, a LEED Accredited Professional, a registered architect in New York, New Jersey and Ohio, and has served as visiting lecturer and critic at the New York Institute of Technology. He splits his time between the office, Park Slope, and upstate NY.

Click the bio 🔗 to learn more about Jim’s projects

We are proud to have a 31 year long ongoing relationship with ,starting in 1995 with the restoration of the 1861 Richar...
02/11/2026

We are proud to have a 31 year long ongoing relationship with ,starting in 1995 with the restoration of the 1861 Richard Upjohn Gothic Revival entrance gates.

Since then, we have worked with the cemetery on 5 additional projects, comprising of a mix of historic preservation and restoration work as well as 30,700 SF of new construction.

We are delighted to share some images of this work and look forward to continuing our wonderful relationship with Green-Wood!

We love the places we get to explore when we’re working on hospitality projects. Our latest hotel, Belden House, sits on...
02/10/2026

We love the places we get to explore when we’re working on hospitality projects. Our latest hotel, Belden House, sits on North St. in the quaint town of Litchfield CT. We restored, renovated, and elevated this special 1880’s property that was built for local town doctor, Dr. Belden. In collaboration with , we brought this building back to life, thoughtfully designing a space that is both surprising and comforting, building an experience that speaks to the modern guest while highlighting the rich history of northwestern Connecticut.

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New York, NY
10018

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