The old warehouse had stood quietly in New York City for decades. Its brick walls, exposed steel beams, and large industrial windows reflected a rich history. When a family bought the property, they did not want to erase its past. Instead, they wanted to transform it into a bright and welcoming home while keeping its original character alive. They imagined a space where they could display their art collection, host family and friends, and enjoy peaceful everyday living.
When the architects from 1100 Architect visited the building, they did not begin by presenting ready-made ideas. They walked through every room, observed how natural light entered the building, and listened carefully to the family’s expectations. Rather than replacing the building’s identity, they worked with its existing structure. They opened up the interiors, improved the layout, and preserved important architectural details. The result was a home that felt modern while still carrying the story of the original warehouse. This thoughtful and people-focused approach has helped 1100 Architect earn a respected place among New York’s leading architecture and interior design firms.
The Story Behind 1100 Architect
1100 Architect is a New York-based architecture and interior design firm founded in 1983 by David Piscuskas and Juergen Riehm. The firm’s name comes from the suite number of its first Manhattan office. Since its beginning, the practice has focused on creating architecture that improves the way people live, work, learn, and interact with their surroundings.
Over the past four decades, the firm has completed projects across residential, educational, cultural, commercial, institutional, and public sectors. Instead of following short-lived design trends, 1100 Architect has built its reputation by creating spaces that remain functional, comfortable, and visually appealing for many years. The firm’s work reflects a balance between creativity and practicality. Every project begins with understanding the client’s needs and the character of the site before developing design solutions that respond naturally to both.
Designing Spaces Around People
One of the defining qualities of 1100 Architect is its people-first approach. Every project begins with careful conversations between the architects and the client. Rather than imposing a signature style, the team studies how people will actually use the space in their daily lives. This approach allows the architects to create interiors that feel comfortable and natural. They carefully consider movement between rooms, the placement of furniture, storage requirements, natural lighting, and opportunities for social interaction. Whether designing a private residence or a public institution, the firm focuses on making spaces easy to use while maintaining architectural quality.
This philosophy has helped the practice build long-term relationships with clients who value thoughtful design over temporary visual trends. One of 1100 Architect’s greatest strengths is its ability to work across projects of many different sizes and purposes. The firm has designed private homes, apartment renovations, schools, libraries, museums, offices, cultural institutions, public spaces, and urban developments. Each project presents its own challenges. Residential work often requires creating warm, functional interiors that support everyday living. Educational and institutional buildings demand careful planning to accommodate many users while promoting learning, collaboration, and accessibility. Despite these differences, the firm’s design process remains consistent. Every project receives the same level of attention to detail, regardless of its size or budget.
Residential design forms an important part of the firm’s portfolio. Many projects involve renovating apartments, lofts, brownstones, and historic buildings throughout New York City. Older buildings often contain outdated layouts that no longer suit modern lifestyles. Instead of removing their character, 1100 Architect carefully reorganizes these interiors to improve functionality while preserving important architectural features.
The architects often create more open living spaces that connect kitchens, dining rooms, and family areas. They introduce additional natural light through thoughtful planning and integrate custom storage solutions that reduce clutter without compromising aesthetics. Every decision supports daily living, allowing homeowners to enjoy spaces that are practical, flexible, and welcoming.
Many of the firm’s projects involve working with existing buildings that have historical significance. Renovating these structures requires careful planning because architects must balance preservation with modernization. 1100 Architect respects the original materials and architectural details while introducing improvements that support modern lifestyles. Exposed brick walls, timber beams, original masonry, and historic façades often remain key elements of renovated projects. Rather than competing with a building’s history, the firm’s interventions complement it. This approach creates interiors that feel authentic instead of artificially recreated.
Choosing Materials That Last
Material selection is another important part of the firm’s design philosophy. Rather than selecting finishes based only on appearance, 1100 Architect chooses materials that remain durable and attractive over time.
Brick, timber, steel, concrete, stone, glass, and plaster frequently appear throughout the firm’s work. These materials provide both visual warmth and long-term performance. The architects believe that quality architecture should continue improving with age. Durable materials reduce maintenance while allowing buildings to develop character over many years of use.
Educational and Cultural Projects
Beyond residential work, 1100 Architect has completed numerous educational and cultural projects that serve communities across New York and beyond.
Schools designed by the firm encourage learning through well-organized classrooms, generous natural lighting, and flexible gathering spaces. Libraries provide quiet areas for study while supporting collaboration and community engagement. The firm’s museum and gallery projects focus on creating spaces where exhibitions become the main attraction. Rather than competing with artworks, the architecture supports visitors by providing clear circulation, comfortable viewing areas, and carefully controlled lighting. These projects demonstrate the firm’s ability to design spaces that serve both practical and cultural purposes.
Building for Long-Term Value
Instead of focusing on temporary design trends, 1100 Architect creates buildings and interiors that remain useful for decades. The firm’s approach supports long-term performance through careful planning, durable materials, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and flexible layouts that can respond to changing needs over time.
Many projects involve renovating older structures instead of replacing them. This approach preserves architectural heritage while extending the life of existing buildings. The firm believes that thoughtful architecture should continue serving clients well into the future rather than requiring frequent redesign or replacement.
Professional Recognition
Over the years, 1100 Architect has built a strong professional reputation through the consistent quality of its work. The firm’s projects have been featured in respected architecture and design publications, including Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Wallpaper, and Vanity Fair.
Several projects have also received recognition from professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The firm’s work has earned awards for design excellence across residential, institutional, and public architecture, reflecting its commitment to thoughtful planning, craftsmanship, and contextual design. Unlike many modern design firms, 1100 Architect has grown through the strength of its portfolio and client relationships rather than through outside investment. There is no publicly available information indicating that the company has received venture funding, merged with another firm, or been acquired.
Founding Principal David Piscuskas
David Piscuskas is the Founding Principal of 1100 Architect and has helped shape the firm’s direction since co-founding it in 1983 with Juergen Riehm. For more than four decades, he has guided the practice in delivering architecture that combines thoughtful design with practical solutions.
Piscuskas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Brown University in 1979. During his undergraduate studies, he also studied design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He later completed his Master of Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1982. His education provided a strong foundation in both art and architecture, influencing the firm’s approach to creating spaces that are functional, carefully detailed, and visually balanced.
As Founding Principal, Piscuskas oversees the firm’s design direction while working closely with clients, architects, engineers, and consultants throughout each project. He believes that successful architecture begins with understanding people and their needs before developing design solutions. His leadership encourages collaboration, careful planning, and attention to detail from the earliest design concepts through construction.
Beyond his work at 1100 Architect, Piscuskas has contributed to the architectural profession in several ways. He served as President of AIANew York in 2017, demonstrating his commitment to advancing architecture within the professional community. Throughout his career, he has also delivered lectures at universities, professional organizations, and the United Nations, sharing his experience in architecture, urban design, and public space. His work has been published in leading design publications, including Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Wallpaper, and Vanity Fair, helping establish both his reputation and that of 1100 Architect within the global architecture community.
A Reputation Built on Quality
Over the years, 1100 Architect has built its reputation through the consistent delivery of thoughtfully designed projects and long-term client relationships. The practice has earned the trust of homeowners, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and commercial clients by delivering architecture that balances creativity with practical performance.
The firm’s work has received recognition through AIA awards and other professional honors. Rather than relying on dramatic forms or expensive materials, the practice focuses on understanding how people use buildings, selecting materials that stand the test of time, respecting historical context, and carefully refining every architectural detail. This thoughtful approach has enabled the firm to maintain a strong reputation while continuing to attract clients who value quality, functionality, and lasting design.
Continuing a Legacy of Design
As cities continue to renovate existing buildings and adapt them for new uses, firms with experience in adaptive reuse and contextual design will play an increasingly important role. 1100 Architect is well positioned for this future because of its long history of working with historic buildings, urban environments, and complex renovation projects. The growing demand for flexible workplaces, modern educational facilities, cultural spaces, and carefully planned homes aligns closely with the firm’s expertise. Its experience across different project types enables the practice to respond to changing client needs while maintaining its core design philosophy.
Rather than following changing architectural fashions, 1100 Architect continues to focus on creating spaces that improve everyday life. Through thoughtful planning, careful craftsmanship, and close collaboration with clients, the firm delivers buildings and interiors that remain useful, comfortable, and visually appealing for generations.
Today, more than forty years after its founding, 1100 Architect continues to demonstrate that great architecture begins with listening, understanding context, and designing for people. Its projects show how historic buildings can be renewed, modern spaces can feel welcoming, and thoughtful design can create lasting value. Guided by Founding Principal David Piscuskas and supported by an experienced team of architects and designers, the firm continues to strengthen its reputation as one of New York’s respected architecture and interior design practices.
As architecture continues to evolve, firms like 1100 Architect show that lasting success comes from thoughtful design, collaboration, and respect for the built environment. At ModernConstruction360, we closely follow architecture and interior design firms that shape communities through meaningful projects and enduring craftsmanship. 1100 Architect’s four decades of work demonstrate how balancing innovation with context can create spaces that remain relevant for generations.
