About

HTDSTUDIO is an international research and design based practice founded in Brooklyn, New York. Our mission is to bring innovation to architectural, interior, urban and sustainable design projects. HTDSTUDIO has established a presence in Sweden as of late 2019, where we look to both learn and share our passion and experience in design, urbanism and space-making.

HTDSTUDIO is committed to sustainability not so much as a feature, but as a philosophy. We believe that what’s under and around a building is just as important as what’s in it.

We believe in the ability of cutting edge technology to enhance the lives and experiences of the users of our buildings and design projects. We are currently integrating Artificial Intelligence capabilities to meet the demands of more complex projects. This is a tool becoming more crucial to our initial ideation process as well as other core project phases.

Photo credits; (Clockwise fr. Bottom Left: Twycer, NL, 2021 ©Manuel Nieberle, 2023 , S.Halling, 2022)

Howard Duffy, Founder + Owner

Howard Duffy founded HTDSTUDIO in Brooklyn, New York in 2000, where he has worked with every area of design at all scales from not-for-profit offices, retail, standalone houses, modular temporary structures, mixed-use developments and super-tall to brand identity, strategy, product and furniture design.

Selected projects include Villa Ingemo, Nonprofit Finance Fund Offices, Financial Women’s Association, Woodstock House, collaborations with artist James Perkins, Smitty & Mo’s Restaurants, and RCMC low-carbon hospital.

HTDSTUDIO is now established in Sweden, and is currently working closely with private clients, developers and companies in the housing, infrastructure and sustainability sectors.

Howard was selected to the FRAME AWARDS Grand Jury 2021 and recently participated in ‘The Next Space’ think-tank design conference in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

He has taught, juried and lectured at numerous institutions such as Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. He was an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at City College in New York City between 2016 and 2021.

He was a finalist to Adjaye Associates (and over 7 other firms) for a private residential commission in New England in 2020. He has won several competitions including the Griffintown Horsepalace competition in Montreal in 2010, and was also shortlisted for the Haiti Housing Competition that year.

Howard was also a finalist for the Burnham Prize in Chicago in 2004 and won the Edward Waters College Library commission over 17 other firms in 2003. His work has been on view in exhibitions in Dongying, China, Melbourne, Australia, Dublin and Cork, Ireland, Chicago, Montreal, Newark, Detroit and New York City as well as at numerous lectures and symposia.

He is now working with clients and institutions to create smart, sustainable cities, while coordinating and deploying waste-to-energy technologies, circular economy concepts, and agile, transformable typologies throughout the Global South.

Howard is certified in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies from Judge Business School at Cambridge UK and studied architecture at Hampton University.

Howard is also co-founder of lifestyle brand Krona ō Stjärna.

Awards / Distinctions

2022

Finalist, Ladan Hanebergs Säteri Competition (with an/ca) ongoing -

2020

Finalist, Century House Private Commission, Martha’s Vineyard, USA

2010

First Prize, Griffintown Horsepalace Competition, Montréal

Shortlist, BCCC / Haiti Housing Competition

2008

Shortlist, DiStasio Australian Pavilion / Venice Biennale

2004

Finalist, Burnham Prize, Chicago, USA

2003

First Prize + Commission Edward Waters College Library, Florida, USA

2000

Certificate of Appreciation, NJIT Mentor Program, NJ

1998

Inductee, African American Design Archive, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, NY

Teaching / Lectures / Symposia

2023

Guest Lecturer: “Negotiating with the Genie”, The Hive: "Artificial Intelligence in the Field", Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange, Malmö, Sweden

Delegate, Monocle Quality of Life Conference, Munich

‘HTDSTUDIO Arkitekter AB: Current Projects’, EEC, Eskilstuna, Sweden

2022

Studio Visit: Lehm Ton Erde / Martin Rauch, Schlins, Austria

2021

FRAME “The Next Space” Think Tank, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Grand Jury Member, FRAME AWARDS 2021

Adjunct Associate Professor, Spitzer School of Architecture, Graduate Program

2020

Jury Member, FRAME AWARDS 2020

Guest Critic - Syracuse Architecture Final Review

2017

Visiting Critic, Graduate Studio, School of the Visual Arts, NY

Visiting Critic, Interior Design, PRATT

Adjunct Associate Professor, Spitzer School of Architecture

2016

Visiting Critic, Graduate Studio, School of the Visual Arts, NY

Visiting Critic, Interior Design, PRATT

Adjunct Associate Professor, Spitzer School of Architecture

2015

Visiting Critic, Advanced Design, University of Pennsylvania

Visiting Critic, Interior Design, PRATT

Visiting Critic, Senior Interior Design, PARSONS / SCE

2014

Visiting Critic, Senior Interior Design, PRATT

Visiting Critic, Senior Interior Design, PARSONS / SCE

2011

Guest Lecturer, "Transforming Small Business through High-Speed Internet”, Columbia University

Guest Lecturer, “Festival of the New Black Imagination”, LIU Brooklyn Campus

Guest Lecturer, “NYCoBA /NoMA Design Talks - Howard Duffy of HTDSTUDIO“, New York

2010

Visiting Critic, Senior Theoretical Design, CUNY City Tech

Visiting Critic, Graduate Interior Design, PRATT

Lecturer / Panelist - OBD DN7 Conference, Detroit

Guest Lecturer, Parsons School of Design, New York

2009

"THIS IS NEWARK: Symbols of a City / Public Conversation on Urban Design and Identity" , Newark Museum

2004

"On Working with Developers", NYU Real Estate Institute, NY

2002

Guest Lecturer, "The Business of Styling", New School, NY

Panelist, “Brooklyn Center for Urban Environment Charrette”, NY

2001

Visiting Critic, PSD, School of Architecture, New York

Panelist, "Media Packages, Parts & Pieces", Blacklines Lecture Series, NY

Adjunct Instructor, Parsons School of Design, New York

1998-2000

Adjunct Instructor, Parsons School of Design, New York

Exhibitions

2011

“Commonthread: HyperLocal Community for Global Applications”, Dongying, China

“HTDSTUDIO Projects”, NOMA Design Talk, New York

"Griffintown Interrupted", Fonderie Darling, Montréal

2010

“HTDSTUDIO Selected Projects” - OBD / DesignNation7, Detroit, USA

“Design Newark 100: Glocally Newark”, 239 Collective Space, Newark, USA

2009

"THIS IS NEWARK" Newark Museum, USA

"This is Newark! Gateway Design Initiative" Aljira Center for Contemporary Art Newark, USA

2008

“VENICE BIENNALE New Australian Pavilion DiStasio Ideas Competition”, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, Australia, 28 June – 3 August 2008

2005

“Kyrl’s Quay Competition”, Cork, Ireland

2004

“Burnham Prize Finalists”, Chicago, USA

2003

“U2 Tower Competition”, Dublin

1998

“Small Works 6”, PSD-X Gallery, NY

“Hot House: Parsons Furniture Faculty Designs Domesticity”, Sheila Aronson Gallery, New York

“Harlem United Show House”, New York

Publications / Books / Media

2012
"NEW Panel Layout for Competition, Vol. 4, 5 & 6", DAMDI Architectural Publishing Co. damdi.co.kr, Seoul, South Korea ISBN 978-89-6801-043-9, 952 pp. in 3 Volumes / Hard Cover / Eng / Kor

2010
"NEW Panel Layout for Competition, Vol. 1, 2 & 3", DAMDI Architectural Publishing Co. damdi.co.kr, Seoul, South Korea ISBN 978-89-91111-83-7, 952 pp. in 3 Volumes / Hard Cover / Eng / Kor

2009
"This is Newark Design Expo Taking Place at Aljira", NJ Star Ledger, April 16

2008
”VENICE BIENNALE | New Australian Pavilion DiStasio Ideas Competition”, 2008 ISBN 978-1-921026-02-7

"Greetings from Obamaville!", Brooklyn Paper, November 13, pg.1

2005
"Brooklyn Architect Joins West Harlem Group", The Green Magazine, January, pg.19

2001
"Have Faith", OCULUS, February, 2001, pg.6

1999
Parsons School of Design Catalogue, 1999-2000

1998
"Nutty Professors" Interior Design, March 1998, pg.36

"Designs by Teachers of the Designers of Tomorrow" New York Times, January 29, pg.3

Boards / Committees

2022-

Learn and Do in Ukraine Community Assistance Committee, Eskilstuna, Sweden

2018-

Project Advisor, HSPITALITY | Firenze / Stockholm

2015-2017

Architectural Advisor, Shareholder’s Ambassador Group, Trinity Church, New York

2011-2013

Senior Advisor, Harlem Cyberspace Company, NYC / San Francisco

2007

Founder, Samurai Workshop Think Tank / Networking Group, New York

2005-2008

Emeritus, West Harlem Group Assistance Board of Directors

Our Values

How We Work.

We know that great results can come out of challenges and our designs develop out of the demands and unique circumstances of each project. Art, data, creativity, technology, innovative construction techniques and real problem solving are all part of our rigorous design process. Design is a collaborative effort and we work with our clients as partners to achieve success.

Sustainability.

We prioritize the benefits of ‘Clean Construction’ in the quest to reduce on-site construction waste, particularly for residential projects. Prefab, or ‘Off-Site Construction’ is increasing proving to be the way forward to reducing not only construction time and coordination, but as a way to reduce the carbon footprint, especially in urban settings.

Circular Economy.

We often create Circular Economy concepts to drive many of our projects in developing markets, where identified value chains can both give back and are given back as a result of materials reuse, population health, transportation, local training, technical learning and job creation; further mitigating and validating such an approach, that from the outset may be seen as economically challenging or prohibitive.

Our Markets of Focus

We are international architects from New York City who design for those who want something special. We help you design your project by interpreting your criteria and vision into a contemporary, well thought out design.
HTDSTUDIO specialise in early-stage design and concept development, we also collaborate with other firms to deliver larger projects. Our process includes a complementary, initial in-person or video consultation, a design concept and upon your approval of the design, required drawings for building permit.
Design Packages available from 50.000 SEK (New Construction / Additions / Renovations / Adaptive Re-Use)
Sectors: Villas / Apartments / Multi-dwellings / Offices / Retail / Schools / Religious / Hospitality / Cultural / Light Industrial / Sustainability
Maximum Project Size 5000m2
We consult the on design of your project, and work with local professionals to help make your project a reality. Our network of U.S. consultants going back 25 years can help the process proceed with confidence.
Sectors: Residential / Apartments / Multi-dwellings / Commercial / Offices / Not-for-Profit / Religious / Hospitality / Retail / Cultural /Urban Design & Public Spaces
Maximum Project Size 25,000ft2
With our previous experience in these regions, not only making architecture, but also offering sustainability and circular economy strategies add considerable value to local community development efforts. Our global network of engineers, consultants and development professionals can help insure success whether your project is small or large.
Sectors: Villas / Multi-dwellings / Not-for-Profit / Retail / Healthcare / Hospitality / Religious / Schools / Cultural / Light Industrial / Sustainability
Maximum Project Size 50000m2
“Howard was very responsive to our wishes and we are extremely satisfied with the result. Above all, we want to highlight the thorough planning and all the suggestions that were made, which have made us 100% certain that we have received the best outcome based on our needs.”
Jonas Zetterberg, Strängnäs, Sweden
———
"Howard has been instrumental in helping my clients to think creatively about addressing their space challenges. Whenever I make a referral, I know that Howard will be thoughtful and thorough in presenting ideas and solutions that work."
Florence Adu, Dir., Real Estate + Construction, NYCCCSE
———
"Howard is a driven professional dedicated to creativity, innovation and design excellence, as well as what makes sense for the bottom line. He makes an excellent business partner. His crisp and collaborative professionalism make him an asset to any real estate development effort or design and construction project."
Elizabeth Geary-Archer, Manager of Marketing Services at Tishman Construction, New York
———
"I have had the opportunity to work with Howard on a number of real estate projects. He has been either lead or consultant in each case. I find Howard to be honest in his assessments, knowledgeable, and hard working and he has the rare trait of putting his clients needs first. I give Howard and HTDSTUDIO the highest possible recommendation."
Lucien Perry, CEO, Head Broker, Lucien Perry Real Estate, NY
———
"Howard Duffy was easy to work with and always went further than the client would expect. He created a vision made it happen on time and found cost cutting ways that did not give the vision any less power. Howard has great skill and a creative talent that makes him an ideal partner and architect on any job."
Robert Esposito, CEO, BarterLuxury
———
"Howard is a focused collaborator who takes seriously the role that design plays in whatever medium he is working, be it architecture, graphic, furniture or interior design. He has a clean, highly developed aesthetic that does both clients and business partners proud.."
Rob Fields, Director of Content, Not-For-Profit Executive Director
———
"Howard's imagination, aesthetic sensibility and work ethic is the reason that HTDSTUDIO is one of the most successful design firms. I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Howard' s insight on design, architecture and business at Parsons The New School of Design. Impressive! He is amiable, honest and an extremely knowledgeable designer and architect. HTDSTUDIO is the premier professional studio for innovative design, sustainable systems, light management and a partner for 9 holes of golf."
Stephen Ang, Owner, Light Perspectives, NY