Originally published: Chicago YIMBY Studio ST Architects’ new design for the renovation of Skokie Valley Agudath Synagogue, in Skokie, IL, will update and revitalize the original 1960 synagogue in order to better reflect the congregation’s values of accessibility and inclusivity. Aesthetic and practical changes address the congregation’s diverse needs, create a comfortable space for individual prayer and group services, and bring in more natural light to create an airy, ethereal atmosphere.  Read More

Published: Archinect SAR Academy and High School was the first school in New York City to close its doors in the spring due to rapidly rising cases of COVID-19 throughout the city. Although the students and teachers quickly adapted to a new mode of remote, virtual learning, the administration was quick to acknowledge and address the need to plan for a safe and cohesive reopening scheme when the time came to return to in-person learning. Studio ST Architects collaborated with HSB Architecture and Design to update the school’s facilities and campus using the concept of radical flexibility. Changes included revisions […] Read More

Following the stay at home orders issued in March 2020, SAR Academy and High School in New York City was forced to radically shift its education model to support virtual learning. However, the school’s administration did not hesitate to plan for a return to in person learning in the fall of 2020. Studio ST Architects collaborated with HSB Architecture & Design to craft a reopening scheme for the school’s students and staff that prioritizes health and social distancing while upholding high education standards. Read more about the reopening scheme on The Riverdale Press Read More

Following the stay at home orders issued in March, SAR Academy and High School began to plan for a return to in person learning in the fall. Architects Esther Sperber of Studio ST Architects Hila Stern of HSB Architecture & Design worked together to craft a reopening scheme for the school’s students and staff. Their plan addresses the issues of social distancing, classroom size, and air circulation while prioritizing the learning experiences of all age groups. Read more about the reopening scheme on Architect Magazine Read More

Although the SAR community had to adapt on the spot to a remote education model, they did not hesitate to begin preparing a reopening scheme to ensure a safe and smooth return to in-person schooling when the time came. Studio ST Architects Esther Sperber and Kellen Thayer, in collaboration with Hila Stern of HSB Architecture, used the concept of radical flexibility to redesign the school's Bronx campus, which reopened its doors to 1550 students this fall. Read More

From the editors of NYC Architects: “The following list features the top 15 residential architects in NYC. Our team compiled a list of accomplished architects and evaluated them based on their mastery of the trade and the quality of their work. We also assessed the architects based on their years of experience, their industry accreditations and certifications, and the strength of their portfolios. The resulting list features architects whose forward-thinking practices have put them at the forefront of residential architecture.” Studio ST Architects is proud to be featured as one of the top firms alongside other notable architects. Read More

Published: The Architect’s Newspaper From the editors of The Architects’ Newspaper: “After expanding our categories to a whopping 47 and receiving over 800 submissions, the 2019 AN Best of Design Awards were our most successful yet. Of course, this made the judging more difficult than ever. Projects came from firms big and small across every corner of the North American continent. While we are always surprised by the breadth and quantity of submissions, we were not surprised by the quality of the design work put forth by these talented architects and designers. Sensitivity and subtlety were at a premium. Winners were chosen for their […] Read More

Published: New York YIMBY Studio ST Architects recently completed the design and bidding process for a five-million-dollar renovation of the Ansche Chesed Synagogue on the Upper West Side in New York. The renovation will enlarge the building entrance lobby which was originally built in 1927. The size of the new lobby, designed as an open bleacher-style space spanning two levels, triples the square footage of the original space. The addition of two new ADA non-gendered bathrooms, coat rooms and stroller parking in the lobby will better serve members and guests joining the many programs and services held throughout the synagogue. A new LULA elevator provides easy access to both lobby levels, the sanctuary above, and the basement multipurpose hall. On the basement level, […] Read More

Published: New York YIMBY Construction has officially begun at 36 Jones Street, a new apartment building in Jersey City designed by Studio ST Architects. The building will have 900 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, 10 apartments ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, and indoor and outdoor public amenity spaces. Read the full article on New York YIMBY Read More

Published: Architect Magazine The dream of every New Yorker came true for these clients when they were able to buy the one bedroom apartment next to their existing two bedroom. This clean and contemporary combination created a large, four bedroom home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The large open space includes a generous foyer, living room, dinning room and kitchen, perfect for entertaining and relaxing. With the additional space we were able to expand the original bathroom to create a larger master bathroom, “his and her” walk in closets, a comfortable home office for two working parents, a […] Read More

Published: Dwell This upper west side project was a 6700 square foot, full-floor gut renovation. This family home merges the best of a comfortable suburban house with the sophistication and location of a city apartment. The design conveys a soft opulence that is rich yet comfortable, beautiful yet functional. The space was designed to be used flexibly, both for hosting large groups and for intimate family use.     Read More

Published: Home Adore This project was a 2,000 square foot gut renovation of a pre-war apartment on the Upper West Side, Manhattan. The entry foyer is the central point in the space, a node connecting the main rooms of the apartment. Upgraded and modernized amenities and finishes provide comfort while retaining the historic charm of the space. Read the full article on Home Adore Read More

Published: Home World Design For this renovation project, Studio ST Architects transformed a 700 square-foot studio into a one bedroom apartment dedicated to showcasing the client’s art collection. Features include gallery-style recessed track lights, new white millwork, and a kitchen/bar with views of Manhattan’s skyline. Read the full article on Home World Design Read More

Published: Bloomberg Citylab Esther Sperber was interviewed for an article published in Bloomberg Citylab on securing religious spaces, written in response to the massacre at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the recent rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes. Esther notes that there needs to be a balance between openness and security in religious spaces. The challenge for designers is how to draw people into spaces of prayer while maintaining a heightened level of security. Read the full article on Bloomberg Citylab Read More

Published: The Forward Studio ST Architects’s ‘SynaCondo’ design proposal was featured in an article published in The Forward that looks at alternative approaches to synagogue design that are more compatible with today’s modern lifestyle and built environment. Esther Sperber notes that many traditional synagogues are hierarchical in how they’re designed and meant to be used. However, as more and more congregations shift to being communal and egalitarian in organization, the challenge is to rethink and adapt the architectural structure of synagogues to fit the community’s needs. Read the full article on The Forward Read More

“Levitt has a rare ability to integrate insights from the fields of architecture and psychology, revealing the internal processes that enable creative design. Using beautifully narrated vignettes drawn from his teaching and design practice, Listening to Design describes techniques for overcoming creative impasses and finding your own inner passion. It also provides valuable insights for art, design, and architecture educators as well as therapists working with creative clients.”

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Published: The Huffington Post In this animated video Op-Ed, Esther Sperber shares her thoughts on how architecture can solve problems, namely the transgender bathroom wars. The idea came about as a response to the passing of House Bill 2 in North Carolina, which effectively banned those who identify as transgender from using public restrooms that were labeled for use by a specific gender. Her proposal is to change the way bathrooms are labeled. Instead of being distinguished by gender, bathrooms should be labeled by size. Not only would this be more appropriate for those who don’t identify as either male […] Read More

Published: The Jewish Forward Congregation Beth Israel has been working with Esther Sperber of Studio ST Architects to update their 90-year-old Shul in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Sperber proposed a new building typology, the SynaCondo, which combines prayer space and residential space into one new structure. Although the congregation members were against any proposal that would demolish the existing synagogue, Sperber notes that this concept is one that many religious organizations may consider as they look to the future and contemplate how to keep up with the changing built environment. Read the full article on The Jewish Forward Read More

Published: Curbed Studio ST Architects worked with Manhattan’s Midtown West Congregation on a radical new building typology, one that responds to the changing city environment. Of late, synagogues around the city are closing and/or being replaced with new apartment buildings. This calls for the need to rethink how these two programs can coexist in a shared built space. Studio ST Architects proposed a SynaCondo typology, a building that combines synagogue and residential spaces. The new synagogue would occupy the lower two floors of the building, with apartment units built above. Read the full article on Curbed Read More