Small but mighty. That could describe GF55 Architects, one of the more diminutive firms, in terms of annual revenue, that have participated in ENR New York's Top Design Firms survey of engineers and architects.

But the New York City-based GF55, selected as the region's Design Firm of the Year for 2022, reported slight revenue growth in 2021 and 2020, as the world continued to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, its projects aim to provide sustainable communities for denizens of all walks of life, even in the outer boroughs and outside the metropolitan area.

Perhaps the greatest example of GF55’s projects is the walkable, sustainable and community-oriented "NY Satellite City" in New Rochelle, N.Y. GF55 created the master plan to the multibuilding urban development adjacent to Lincoln Park in New Rochelle, which includes multifamily apartment buildings and the new Boys & Girls Club. Children and teens from the neighborhood will have access to the two-story club with facilities such as a gymnasium, fine arts studio, digital content studio, teen lounges, multipurpose social areas, meeting rooms and offices for the community. The 11-story apartment building will provide workforce housing with 179 residential units.

Back in NYC, the J2 project, valued at $172,606,635, measures more than 500,000 sq ft and contains 543 residential units, and will introduce one of the largest affordable housing projects to Jamaica, Queens. It's also certified as an enterprise green community. The building will offer a number of communal spaces which include remote work stations, health and wellness facilities, and play areas sensitive to the needs of young working families.

And many of GF55's other projects provide not only affordable housing, but are designed to support local communities. GF55 designed the Richard Pruss Wellness Center, which was completed in 2021 and serves as a hub for health and wellness in the Bronx community. The 84,000 SF facility is run by Samaritan Daytop Village and anticipates more than 6,000 individuals visiting for the range of behavioral health services offered.

The firm declares that its “amazing team of architects and designers continue to seek best, green solutions for all residents in New York.”

You can read our in depth feature about GF55 Architects in the May 16, 2021, issue of ENR New York.