The Villard Houses

An oasis nested among some of New York’s most modern skyscrapers, the Villard Houses evoke 19th century elegance and tradition.

Designed by McKim, Mead & White and constructed in 1884, the complex is home to the professional societies of New York’s design community. In 1968, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the complex a historical landmark.

The considerations of dealing with historic properties are intricate. As we modernize them with new and better systems, we must maintain the integrity and intent of the original structure. In our work on the Villard Houses, we created systems for new administrative offices, a library, gallery and lecture space within the Italian Renaissance landmark.