History of Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects was founded by Richard Dattner in 1964. Dattner Architects, based in New York City, is well-known for its design excellence and civic engagement. Their work revolves around civic spaces and the urban experience. Dattner transforms environments and strengthens communities through active participation, thoughtful programming, and innovative design. Their unique, creative, and inspiring designs for transit, schools, libraries, housing, healthcare, parks and recreation centers, police and fire stations, and other buildings enhance the urban fabric and have a positive effect on communities. Learn more about their dedication to Essential Architecture in Dattner Architects’ Selected Projects #1!
They are a Future Forward company. They envision a future in which communities and buildings are ecologically sustainable, natural resources are conserved, and healthy surroundings are enjoyed by future generations. Dattner pioneers green civic and residential design and is focused on helping communities affected by climate change. For example, the Bronx Library Center started the trend to make public buildings in New York LEED certified. The Sustainable Practice Group (SPG) at Dattner conducts research on energy use, renewable energy, indoor environment and human health, sustainable materials, site ecology, and urban infrastructure in order to facilitate a positive environmental impact and enhance occupant health, equity, and the resilience of their projects.
Richard Dattner AIA
Richard studied at the Architectural Association in London and received his Bachelor of Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has taught design at Cooper Union, City College of New York, and the University of Wisconsin, and has frequently served as a visiting design critic and lecturer. To find out more about Richard Dattner’s achievements check out Dattner Architects’ Selected Projects #1!
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Company Culture at Dattner Architects
Dattner’s vibrant culture is built on a community of talented, passionate, and creative people who are drawn to their civic-minded work. At Dattner Architects, professional development is an essential part of every day operations. Their collaborative approach fosters learning, and they offer strong assistance via AXP in addition to promoting architectural registration and industry participation. They organize and produce educational seminars on a regular basis through their Dattner Academy.
At Dattner Architects, we support our staff in achieving the work/life balance integral to their health and wellness.
Learn about Dattner’s Mentorship Program and their style of being an Equal Opportunity Employer in Dattner Architects’ Selected Projects #1! They are committed to creating an environment that is not only free of discrimination and harassment, but also allows and encourages all employees to share their unique perspectives and reach their full potential. Dattner’s experience shows that a foundation of respect leads to increased creativity, innovation, and engagement.
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Architect-US is proud to work in close contact with Dattner Architects and to be able to ensure the firm gets to know and work with amazing young architects like Shih-en Grace Chang whom we helped process and sponsor her J1 Visa as well as find her a job in the US through our Job+J1 Visa Program!
Shih-en Grace Chang
Canadian architect Shih-en Grace Chang received her Bachelor of Environmental Design with Honors from the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. She pursued her Master of Architecture degree at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. On top of that, Grace was an Architectural and Landscape Engineer Intern at CECI Engineering Consultants LTD, where she performed environmental analyses using BIM software during Schematic Design.
Dattner Architects‘ Selected Projects
Bronx Library Center – Bronx, NY
Situated in a neglected area of the city, the Bronx Library Center offers cultural and social amenities in a prominent location on a major Bronx thoroughfare. More than 200,000 books, journals, and multimedia resources are kept in the Library Center. It has grown to be a valued community resource thanks to its modern information technology, enlarged circulating and reference collections, and comprehensive business, technology, and education programs. The Bronx Library was the largest capital project undertaken by NYPL in the previous 20 years when it opened, and it is still the biggest library in the borough.
The design shows off a transparent and articulated façade. Every floor is designed to be a logical, rectangular public area encircled by smaller program spaces, circulation areas, and services that blend in with the site’s imperfections. A crucial aspect of the visitor experience is movement around the building. The staircase that descends from the concourse level to the ground floor features artwork that is unique to the location, lets in natural light, and provides a welcoming glimpse into the interior.
This was the first project in New York City to be certified by the US Green Building Council as LEED Silver. High performance curtainwall, ample daylighting, energy-efficient mechanical and lighting systems and controls, and environmentally friendly materials with a high recycled content are examples of sustainable features. It’s also among the first Active Design initiatives in the city.
Photos by Dattner
Broome Street Development – New York
Broome Street Development is a large, brand-new, mixed-use, mixed-income development that is situated immediately south of the Lower East Side’s Essex Crossing/Seward Park Urban Renewal Development. It is home to numerous important Lower East Side-based community and cultural heritage organizations. The project consists of two 460,000 square foot mixed-use buildings with 495 market-rate, affordable, and senior housing units.
In a 30-story volume, the Suffolk building offers 378 mixed-market rate and affordable units. Norfolk building has 115 affordable senior apartments spread across 16 stories. It includes a full floor suite with a lounge, game room, yoga/activity room, and a social services office. The project also features outdoor roof terraces with a rooftop pool and a community room.
The project’s design idea was inspired by the meeting point of two prominent Lower East Side building typologies: the six-story walk-up tenement and the «tower-in-the-park» typology. A stack of six-story volumes that are further divided into three-story groupings serves as an expression of this conceptual dialogue.
Photos by Dattner
Hudson Yards Station – New York, NY
Hudson Yards neighborhood, on the far west side of Manhattan, is connected to Grand Central Station and Times Square by the Number 7 subway extension. The design incorporates 21st-century levels of safety, comfort, and convenience. The new line, a technically challenging project, passes beneath the rail yards at Penn Station, the Lincoln Tunnel, and other underground infrastructure. Every day, thousands of riders are whisked to the surface via escalators or inclined elevators from one of New York’s deepest rail platforms.
Glass-canopied station entrances are integrated into Hudson Park & Boulevard, bringing attention to this new public open space that serves Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, and The High Line. The layout of the station provides subtle signals to maintain traffic flow through the intermediate area of the lower mezzanine with no columns. Large porcelain tiles were cut both vertically and horizontally to form longer horizontal rectangles that line the mezzanine, acting as an arrow. Visitors are drawn upwards by the high ceilings above the stair landing. The walls and mezzanine ceiling of the station are composed of detachable panels, which facilitates future maintenance.
Photos by Dattner
We will be posting more projects by Dattner Architects in the upcoming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company, so join us again next week!
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