Spaces Made to Order
Bespoke Architecture, PLLC – Firm Profile
People respond to their surroundings in profound ways – often unconsciously. The chance to design one’s built environment is a rare and powerful opportunity. The spaces we inhabit shape how we live. These spaces can be designed to enhance not only our lives as they are but how we ideally want them to be. Clients placing a priority on family, privacy, or entertaining guests, have desires that can be enhanced by creating the spaces that support them. This is the essence of Bespoke Architecture.
Bespoke Architecture is dedicated to obtaining exceptional results in custom crafting designs for our clients while being a mindful guardian of their budgets. We bring over 23 years of experience in New York City architectural design, as well as NYC Zoning and Building Code expertise. We have ongoing relationships with structural & mechanical engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, and expediters to ensure your project has access to any expertise required. Our hands-on approach has led us to develop a level of practical construction knowledge unusual for many architecture firms.
Peter Holtzman, RA / CPHD / NCARB – Founding Principal
Peter is deeply attached to notions of “Home” and how the design of the built environment can play a crucial role in creating or enhancing that – both in concept and in practice. He enjoys collaborating with clients to craft solutions ideal for them. He has spent the past 23 years working in the New York City Architecture field thoughtfully creating and enhancing a range of projects including, custom Loft residences, Townhouse gut renovations, Penthouse Additions, School and Non-Profit Facilities, and Commercial spaces.
In 2005, Peter undertook the design and gut renovation of his own townhouse in Harlem, doing a substantial portion of the construction work himself. By living the roles of Owner and Builder as well as Architect, he has first-hand insight into the Owner’s concerns of Budget, Time, and Quality as well as real-life knowledge of the “nuts and bolts” of construction and the various trades. This was an invaluable learning experience that he draws upon every day in his practice.
Before starting Bespoke Architecture, he worked on several award-winning and published projects in both Oregon and New York. He worked for James Givens Design in Oregon through the end of 1999, then moved to New York, working with The Downtown Group (Later to become Downtown Designworks Architecture). Throughout his career, he has enjoyed working on diverse project types such as Media Facilities, Schools, Commercial Spaces, Private Apartments, Multi-Family Residential Buildings, Townhouse Renovations, and from-the-ground-up new Single-Family Houses.
Peter started Bespoke Architecture in 2016 as a side project. In 2020 his partner at Downtown Designworks Architecture, Peter Willcox, decided he wanted to scale back and enter semi-retirement, bringing a wonderful 20-year working relationship to a close. Peter Holtzman, misses working with Peter Willcox but understands he just can’t compete with the grandbabies. By 2021, Peter Holtzman took over Downtown Designworks and folded it into Bespoke Architecture, continuing to provide excellent service to new and long-standing repeat clients.
Peter received his Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1998, and his Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1992. At the University of Oregon Masters of Architecture Program, he was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship in 1997 and taught courses in Urban Design Principles. His primary areas of focus were architectural composition, detailing, and urban design. During and after his graduate education, he assisted in teaching Design Studios and was a frequent reviewer for Design Studios.
Peter is a Registered Architect in New York State, NCARB Certified, and a Certified Passive House Designer. Peter has particular expertise in Design, Architectural Detailing, Construction Management, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of NYC building and zoning codes.
Peter lives in Harlem, where he makes overly elaborate meals for his kids, and designs and builds furniture rather slowly.
Carrie Rothfeld, RA / AIA – Project Architect
Carrie is a New York State Registered Architect who works at the intersection of Architecture and Interior Design. Her focus is on creating environments that sensitively reflect the needs of its occupants, utilizing context and materiality in tandem with functionality to elevate spaces beyond the ordinary.
Past work has included Commercial and Institutional work at Gensler with such noted clients as the New York Times, KPMG, Lazard Freres, and 2 Park Avenue. Her work in the residential sector includes full apartment, loft, and townhouse renovations, kitchen and bath renovations, landscapes as well as single-family houses. In addition, she has worked on projects with an historic focus including the adaptive reuse of the Richmond Old Library and exterior restoration of several New York City public schools.
Ms. Rothfeld earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics from Cornell University and worked in the retail apparel industry before embarking on her design career; first earning an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design, and then completing an internship in Architecture. Following the internship, she entered what was then called the Graduate School of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Master of Architecture and being awarded the Will M. Mehlhorn scholarship in History and Theory.
Having the opportunity to participate in a semester-long exchange with the Architectural Association in London and travel to Goiania, Brazil to work on a housing project with Habitat for Humanity were deeply meaningful experiences that helped round out her understanding of the role of Architectural Design.
Ms. Rothfeld resides in Manhattan with her two daughters and dreams of future adventures in more distant lands.
Passive House Design
Passive House is an ultra-low energy construction standard originating in Germany and becoming increasingly popular in the US. It is a voluntary standard of performance that results in 75%-90% less energy use in passive buildings compared to typical new construction – the comparison to older buildings is even more dramatic. The key points of Passive House design are:
- Super-insulated
- Airtight construction
- Mechanical Ventilation with heat-recovery
- Thermal-bridge free construction
- High-performance windows and building components
Improved indoor air quality, thermal comfort, reduced exterior noise levels, and reduced operational costs are all benefits of passive house design. To learn more about the passive house standard, see the following resources:
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