WHAT WE DO

We help our clients realize their goal of building equitable and sustainably to improve the quality of life for everyone. Established in 1982, MGDK Architects is a full-service architecture and design studio focused on thoughtful, research-based design. Based in New York City, we work regionally throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Eastern Pennsylvania.

WHY WE DO IT

We believe that architecture should be beautiful, well-crafted, and have a positive impact on the community. MGDK continually seeks out sustainable alternatives to conventional methods, investigating new ways to provide meaningful impact on the build environment.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

To create affordable dwellings that positively impact the health and well-being of their residents, the community, and the environment, we focus on four key aspects:

• Organization

• Construction

• Sustainability

• Adaptability

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

In many small towns across the United States, historic town centers lie crumbling and abandoned while an aging population becomes increasingly isolated on the outskirts of town. An opportunity exists to improve the quality of life for many and restore a sense of civic pride within the community.

APPROACH TO CHALLENGES FOR SMALL TOWNS IN THE SOUTHEAST U.S.

Increase Density

• Economize infrastructure by having more residents and businesses benefit from improvements in a smaller area.

Reintroduce Mixed-Use Typologies.

• Provide services, facilities, and jobs next to those who use them.

Utilize/Expand/Transform Historic Downtown Buildings.

• Build on the existing density and building typologies through adaptive re-use of existing structures..

Build “Pedestrian-Friendly'“ Infrastructure.

• Shading, Seating, Public Spaces (Destinations), Public Parks

• Reduce reliance on cars for daily tasks (Expense/Accessibility)

• Activates the street. Activity begets activity. Providing ease of access to local amenities for those living in the area creates pedestrian traffic. More people on the street leads to more interest in the area.

• Higher foot traffic equates to higher sales.

Build for Affordability

• Buyers: Provide opportunity for low/middle income households to build equity

• Renters: Provide opportunity for quality housing with manageable monthly expenses.

Build for Sustainability

• Life cycle costs and environmental costs factor into long-term growth by reducing waste and maximizing efficiency.

Build for Accessibility

• Provide accessible housing and “pedestrian friendly” infrastructure.

Engage Government and Community Organizations.

• Public Transportation

• Grants for Start-Ups

• Priority Contracts for small, locally-owned businesses

• Modify Zoning Regulations to increase density and reverse sprawl.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Utilizing the knowledge, passion, and commitment of our team of talented designers and industry-leading consultants, MGDK offers a systematic approach for conducting individual facility assessments & recommendations for clients seeking to either improve energy performance or achieve net-zero operations.

RETROFIT SOLUTIONS

• Reduce solar heat-gain

• Energy-efficient lighting design

• Local, carbon-neutral material selection

• Mechanical system optimization

• Renewable-energy retrofit

SITE STRATEGIES

• Rain water collection

• Waste water recycling

• Passive-Solar Design

• Maximize natural ventilation

NEW-BUILD OPPORTUNITIES

• Modular building construction

• Optimized building footprint

• Integrated building systems

• Energy modeling