Fontan Architecture

02/27/2026

Combining two apartments in NYC can create an exceptional home — but the process is more complex than many people expect.

Apartment combinations often require co-op or condo board approval, NYC Department of Buildings filings, structural review, and careful coordination of plumbing and building code requirements.

When handled properly, the result can feel seamless. When rushed, projects can face unnecessary delays.

I wrote a detailed guide explaining how apartment combinations work in New York City and what homeowners should understand before starting.

https://fontanarchitecture.com/combining-apartments-in-nyc/

In New York City, combining adjacent apartments is often the most effective way to create a larger, cohesive residence within an established building. For

02/08/2026

NYC lofts weren’t designed to be homes — but they became some of the most desirable apartments in the city. Here’s why lofts look the way they do.

New York City loft apartments are typically high end residential units whose architectural design comes from the building's historic origins.

09/22/2024

Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms, and their design is crucial to personalizing your home.

There are many obvious and not so obvious bathroom design ideas you can incorporate into a new bathroom or bathroom renovation.

05/17/2024

There are so many options and details to consider for a bathroom design that it can make your head spin. Check out this post, which looks at ideas from several bathrooms we renovated in NYC.
https://fontanarchitecture.com/21-nyc-bathroom-design-ideas/

21 NYC Bathroom Design Ideas for a modern home New York Bathroom Design pictures, and tips for creating a functional and beutiful bagthroom.

09/16/2023

In NYC a loft apartment is in a building originally built for commercial or manufacturing use that was converted to residential. Because of their industrial origins loft apartments often have certain architectural characteristics such as exposed brick walls and high ceilings.

07/22/2023

Check out this Gut Renovated 5,000 square foot Brownstone in our new Youtube video.

This is a newly renovated Brownstone in New York City. The Brownstone is 5,000 square feet. Fully gut renovated. It was originally an SRO or Single Room Occu...

06/28/2023

Porcelain bathrooms are an affordable, durable option with a huge range of possibilities in design.

There are many options for wall and floor materials when renovating a bathroom. One popular option is porcelain. Is Porcelain Good for a Bathroom? Porcelain is often used for bathrooms because it is durable and nonabsorbent, so it should not discolor over time. Porcelain is an easy-to-clean strong m...

06/26/2023

Whether you say grey or gray bathrooms these have been very popular with our clients giving a classy and sophisticated feel.

Gray is a timeless color for a bathroom design that many consider easy to match with their home aesthetic. Gray bathrooms tend to have a modern and sophisticated feel that you can easily style with accessories, especially white, black, and metal. I am Jorge Fontan, an architect in New York City and....

06/25/2023

Magnetic paint and primers can make a wall more than just a wall in your home.

Using magnets, you can hang papers, reminders, photographs, and most certainly children’s drawings on the refrigerator. However, there are other options to create magnetic surfaces at home. One is using magnetic paint or primer to create a magnetic wall. You can hang papers and photographs using k...

06/24/2023

With the right decisions you can make an Ikea kitchen look high end.

Ikea kitchens are popular options for those who are looking to renovate affordably. Though cost-friendly, the less expensive option can risk appearing cheap. The kitchen’s design is crucial in renovating, especially when working within a budget. I am Jorge Fontan, architect and owner of Fontan Arc...

06/23/2023

As a New Yorker I love exposed brick.

As an architect in New York, people often ask me about exposed brick in their homes and apartments. They want to know why exposed brick might be a good option and why there is such a cachet around exposing bricks in New York City. Brick has texture and color, which can be charming compared to […]