History of PAU
Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) was founded in 2015 by Vishaan Chakrabarti, an architect, urbanist, and educator. The firm is based in New York City and is dedicated to creating sustainable, equitable, and joyous urban environments. PAU operates at the intersection of architecture and city planning, breaking down disciplinary boundaries to foster innovative and impactful design solutions.
PAU’s design philosophy centers around creating sustainable, equitable, and joyous urban environments. The firm operates at the intersection of architecture and city planning, breaking down disciplinary boundaries to foster innovative and impactful design solutions. They believe in expanding the definition of architecture and rejecting the silos that have ossified it.
Their projects aim to palpably and positively impact the world, thriving on constraints such as program, constructability, public process, regulation, budget, and schedule as the fuel for innovation and beauty. PAU’s team is fluent in multiple languages, including architecture, culture, ecology, economics, academia, urbanity, government, and the language of democratic public process.
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Company Culture at PAU
PAU emphasizes the importance of collaboration and creativity, encouraging their designers to use both sides of their brains to be as creative as they are analytical. The firm is committed to raising labor standards in the field, treating their personnel with respect in terms of compensation, staff development, benefits, and work-life balance.
We are a group of thinkers who build, utopian pragmatists whose dreams of impactful design have been forged in the white heat of hard-fought experience.
PAU fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture that emphasizes creativity, innovation, and sustainability. The firm values the input and expertise of each team member, creating an environment where everyone’s ideas are heard and respected. This collaborative approach ensures that each project benefits from a diverse range of perspectives and expertise.
Additionally, PAU values continuous learning and professional development. They encourage their team to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in architecture and design, fostering a culture of growth and improvement.
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Architect-US is proud to work in close contact with Practice for Architecture and Urbanism and to be able to ensure the firm gets to know and work with amazing young architects like Daniel Eguren, whom we helped get a job and process his Visa through our Job+J1 Visa Program!
PAU’ Selected Projects
The Refinery at Domino – Brooklyn, NY
The Refinery at Domino, originally constructed as an industrial landmark by Theodore A. Havemeyer, played a crucial role in Brooklyn’s economy and skyline. In 2017, PAU began designing its adaptive reuse as the centerpiece of a new mixed-use neighborhood, led by founder Vishaan Chakrabarti’s master plan. The transformation integrates creative office space, housing, retail, and community facilities while reconnecting the site to the waterfront.
Rather than modifying the misaligned historic structure, PAU nested a new glass building inside the original masonry shell, maintaining unobstructed views and natural light. The design features a dramatic glass barrel vault, echoing the Refinery’s historic industrial aesthetic. The ground floor was reimagined with open pedestrian access, connecting the neighborhood to Domino Park.
Atop the building, the 27,000-square-foot Vault event space offers panoramic views of Manhattan and the East River, with flexible layouts for various functions. PAU successfully navigated the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s approval process, ensuring the Refinery’s status as a revitalized centerpiece of the Brooklyn Waterfront.
JFK Towers at Schuylkill Yards – Philadelphia, PA
The JFK Towers are part of the Schuylkill Yards urban revitalization project in Philadelphia, a significant redevelopment of underused land between Center City and University City. Designed by PAU for Brandywine Realty Trust and Drexel University, the two towers feature over 1.5 million square feet of office, residential, and retail space. They aim to connect Philadelphia’s historical architecture with its future as a knowledge hub. The towers also incorporate diverse design elements, such as terra cotta and red sandstone, inspired by Philadelphia’s architectural legacy.
The East Tower, at 512 feet tall, houses office space and retail, while the West Tower, at 360 feet, features apartments, office spaces, and retail. The buildings are connected by High Line Plaza, a public space with seating, plants, and water features. The design emphasizes openness and community engagement, creating a dynamic new center for the city’s residents, students, and professionals. The project marks the first phase of Schuylkill Yards, which will transform the area into a vibrant urban hub with connections to cultural, educational, and business resources.
Photos by PAU
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum – Cleveland, OH
PAU won a global competition to design an expansion for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, enhancing I.M. Pei’s original building, completed in 1995. The expansion, which will double the museum’s size, includes new public spaces, an acoustically-designed performance venue, exhibition areas, food and beverage options, office space, and redesigned circulation systems that extend into the landscape. PAU’s design reimagines Pei’s iconic pyramid, blending it with a modern, inclusive vision for Rock & Roll’s past, present, and future.
The expansion draws inspiration from Pei’s architectural approach but introduces a more playful, vibrant design, echoing the energy of rock music itself. The addition will be clad in black steel and specular granite, reflecting Cleveland’s industrial roots, while the glass surfaces evoke the dynamic, colorful lighting of rock performances. The new spaces aim to immerse visitors in the gritty, visceral world of Rock & Roll while remaining connected to Pei’s design. This expansion transforms the Hall into a true campus for Rock & Roll culture, addressing both its growing demands and the need for functional improvements.
Photos by PAU
We will be posting more projects by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) 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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