As one of the most popular areas in New York, Brooklyn boasts a diverse, vibrant, and exciting lifestyle. This borough offers a lively music, arts, and culinary scene, making it an attractive choice for young professionals who want easy access to the city with a slightly lower price tag than the neighboring Manhattan. 

People looking to relocate to Brooklyn will find a wide array of options for choosing the best residential architect. It can be an overwhelming process to select from among them, but the carefully curated list below is here to help. Each firm on this list has the expertise needed to achieve your vision, and was selected based on its extensive experience, strong reputation, and quality work. 

Bade Stageberg Cox Architecture

25 Chapel St., Suite #600, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Bade Stageberg Cox is a leading architecture firm in Brooklyn that provides exceptional-quality design services for clients across New York and California. Founded in 2006, the firm has established a diverse portfolio of projects that range from the residential and commercial sectors to the institutional and non-profit ones. The design studio is equipped to manage projects no matter the scope or scale, including challenging structural layouts. Regardless, the firm focuses on creating unique solutions designed to address the specific requirements of its clients.

Leading the firm are founders Timothy Bade, Martin Cox, and Jane Stageberg, whose combined expertise has led the firm to produce countless successful projects. Over the years, Bade Stageberg Cox has won several industry awards, including the 2020 AAAL Architecture Award and the 2018 American Architecture Award. Its work on the Grafted House in Lloyd Neck also earned the company the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York State Award of Excellence. For this 1960’s home, the firm designed additional rooms, creating a modern and sleek look while ensuring that the new spaces blended seamlessly with the existing parts.

1100 Architect

550 Seventh Ave., 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10018

New York-based 1100 Architect is a top-notch architectural firm offering design services for residential and commercial clients. Specializing in architecture, urban design, interior design, and master planning, the company has successfully delivered superior-quality projects across various industries, such as residential, office, educational, cultural, and civic. Its services also include historic landmark assessment, sustainability planning, and environmental review. Regardless of the type, each project is designed with unique elements, and the materials used are meticulously selected to achieve the overall vision of the project.

Since 1983, 1100 Architect has received various recognitions for its impressive projects and has been featured in several publications, including H.O.M.E. Magazine and The Design Bureau. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the studio incorporates energy-efficient design and environmentally friendly practices into every project. One prominent project that employed such techniques is the Long Island House, where 1100 Architect was commissioned to design a house and a pavilion that extends into the dunes along the eastern shore of Long Island. The result is a stunning and modern home that incorporates large windows to take advantage of the beautiful surrounding views.

The Brooklyn Studio

45 Main St., Studio 824, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Founded in 1997, the Brooklyn Studio is a premier architecture and design firm in New York. For more than 25 years, the company has been providing clients with high-quality architectural and interior design solutions tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Many of its projects are in the residential and adaptive reuse realms, and they encompass a wide breadth of styles, ranging from modern to classical designs. Using a collaborative approach, the firm ensures that the client’s lifestyle needs and design preferences are met.

The Brooklyn Studio is composed of a team of skilled architects and designers, and works with the top subcontractors in the state, ensuring the highest quality completion of all projects. The studio understands the importance of incorporating environmental, historical, and cultural aspects into its design and selection of materials. This can be seen in all of its projects, including the Park Slope project located in Brooklyn’s Historic District. For this project, the firm took on the challenge of preserving the historic and architectural character of the house while simultaneously updating it to cater to contemporary needs. In recognition of its excellence in achieving this goal, the project earned the company a Silver Medal at The Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Awards in the Restoration and Preservation category.

Barker Associates Architecture Office

61 9th St., Suite C8, Brooklyn, NY 11215

For over 15 years, Barker Associates has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive architectural services to diverse clients in Brooklyn. Serving an array of industries, including residential, commercial, retail, educational, and cultural sectors, the design studio has honed an innovative and efficient process since its establishment in 2006. With a presence in New York and projects spanning regional and international locations, the company has consistently delivered creative solutions from the initial design conception to the final execution.

Over the years, Barker Associates has garnered extensive recognition for its remarkable projects, establishing a reputation as one of the top architects in Brooklyn. It has received local and regional honors from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York State, the Society of American Architects, and Architizer. The firm has also been featured in several publications, such as Architectural Digest, Elle Décor in Spain, and Vogue Australia. Its impressive work on one of its projects, the Surfboard House, even earned the company the AIABQDA Design Award. For this project, Barker Associates was hired to design a contemporary and sleek house where each room included a view of the beautiful ocean.

Workshop/APD

39 West 38th St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018

Founded in 1999, Workshop/APD is one of the premier architecture firms in New York, providing a comprehensive range of architectural and design services, including development, branding, and master planning. Primarily focusing on the residential, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, the firm excels in tailoring designs to align with client needs, preferences, and lifestyles. Every material and fixture is thoughtfully chosen to enhance the distinctive designs, resulting in spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

Workshop/APD is a collective of talented and creative individuals committed to collaborative efforts with designers, architects, and clients. Since its establishment, the firm has engaged with prominent companies nationwide, such as Oxford Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Properties, and Eagle Point. A noteworthy project in the firm’s portfolio is the Cobble Hill Townhouse in Brooklyn. Tasked with redesigning the house to optimize its features, including a scenic view, Workshop/APD’s unique approach to this project garnered recognition and was featured in Interior Design Magazine.

Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects

453 West 17th St., 4th Flr, New York, NY 10011

Since 1998, Jaklitsch/Gardner Architects has been providing superior-quality architecture and design solutions for clients throughout New York. The residential and commercial architect specializes in a wide range of styles, including modern and transitional designs. Operating for 25 years, the firm has earned a strong reputation for maintaining excellence throughout all aspects of the design process. With a holistic approach, the contractor thoughtfully incorporates cultural, environmental, and social aspects into each design.

Leading the firm are founders Stephan Jaklitsch and Mark Gardner, whose combined expertise has led to numerous successful projects on both local and international scales. Recognized as a black-owned design studio, the firm is committed to diversity and inclusion. Further, as a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)-certified company, Jaklitsch/Gardner Architects integrates sustainable design, utilizes energy-efficient practices, and carefully selects materials for every project. One project that employed such methods is the 12th Street Townhouse in New York. For this project, the design studio was tasked with updating and modernizing the home to meet the evolving needs of its residents.

BKSK Architects

230 W. 38th St., 16th Fl, New York, NY 10018

BKSK Architects is a New York-based architecture firm that provides high-quality architectural and interior design services for residential, commercial, and civic clients. Founded in 1985, the design firm has honed its expertise in designing projects rooted in preservation, sustainability, planning, and community. The firm’s services include project scoping, site analysis, feasibility studies, programming, and master planning. It boasts expertise on a wide variety of designs, structures, and styles, including the most challenging of layouts. With an innovative approach, the firm provides creative solutions while ensuring that each design addresses the specific needs of the client.

BKSK Architects’ commitment to sustainability has led the firm to design New York City’s first civic building, which notably earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. Meanwhile, the firm’s work on the Riverdale House earned it a Palladio Award for Restoration and Renovation. For this project, BKSK was tasked with restoring the 1850s home while preserving the historic character of the house.

GRADE New York

180 Varick St., Suite #916, New York, NY 10014

Since 2004, GRADE New York has been providing architecture and interior design services for residential and commercial clients throughout the Greater New York area. As a full-service architecture firm, the design studio offers extensive solutions for a broad range of project types, including apartments, houses, townhouses, retail facilities, and specialty establishments. Its projects are mostly contemporary, classic, and transitional spaces located across Brooklyn, the Hamptons, Connecticut, Miami, Los Angeles, and Aspen. The firm also specializes in high-end homes, ensuring each design reflects the client’s aspirations. Lastly, it offers custom furniture that complements its creative designs. 

One of the firm’s notable projects is the Park Slope Townhouse in Brooklyn, in which the firm was hired to redesign and modernize it. The design firm also restored the façade of the century-old home, resulting in a sophisticated residence. In recognition of its excellence in impressive projects like this one, the firm has received extensive industry acknowledgement. Among its awards are the 2022 Honoree Award at the NYCxDESIGN Awards and the 2020 Commendation Award at the AIA Long Island Archi Awards. The firm has also been featured in various publications, such as Town & Country, the Hamptons Cottages and Garden, and The Galerie.