About
HTDSTUDIO is an international research and design-focused 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 for MONOCLE, 2023, Susanne Halling, 2021)
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's low-carbon hospital.
HTDSTUDIO is now established in Sweden and works closely with private clients, developers, and companies in the housing, hospitality, 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 viewed in exhibitions in Dongying, China, Melbourne, Australia, Dublin and Cork, Ireland, Chicago, Montreal, Newark, Detroit, and New York City, and at numerous lectures and symposia.
He works with clients and institutions to create smart, sustainable cities while coordinating and deploying waste-to-energy technologies, circular economy concepts, and agile, transformable typologies in developing and emerging markets worldwide.
Howard holds a certification 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 the lifestyle brand Krona ō Stjärna.
Education / Certifications
Judge Business School, Cambridge UK / Circular Economy and Sustainability / Credential ID 38420823
Hampton University, USA
NCARB Candidate No.00172547, NY, USA
ID06 Credentialed for construction site access, Sweden
Liability Insurance
LF Försäkringar, Sweden - Försäkringsnr 66505*01 (Produced on Request)
Awards / Distinctions
2022
Finalist, Ladan Hanebergs Säteri Competition (with an/ca)
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
Delegate, 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
Urban Cyberspace Brainstorming Sessions, Columbia Business School w/Prof. Robert Atkinson
Guest Lecturer, "Transforming Small Business through High-Speed Internet”, Fu School of Engineering, 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
2023
“Setting the Bar High”, Monocle Minute, 2 September 2023
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
Sumit Singhal, "Benetton Headquarters in Tehran, Iran by HTDSTUDIO DESIGNOFFICE" , AEC Cafe, May 18th
2011
Ya'el Santopinto, "Griffintown Interrupted: An Unsolicited Competition Brings Global Participants and Local Stakeholders to the Table Over a District in Limbo", Competitions Magazine, March 2011
Sumit Singhal, "Mercedes Benz Business Center in Teryan Street" , AEC Cafe, November 9th, 2011
Brigette Meinhold, "Mercedes Benz Business Center is a Stacked Green-Roofed High Rise Concept for Yerevan", Inhabitat, October 12th 2011
"HTDSTUDIO: Design for Mercedes Business Center" DETAIL Daily, detail.de
Ryan Kemp, "Mercedes Benz Business Center", EVOLO, October 11, 2011
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
Commonthread: Hyperlocal Community for Global Applications / HTDSTUDIO, Alison Furuto, ArchDaily.com
"Greetings from Obamaville!", Brooklyn Paper, November 13, pg.1
Hank Jarz, "Nordhavnen Pixel City: HTDSTUDIO DESIGNOFFICE", ArchDaily.com
Sanjay Gangal, "Nordhavnen Pixel City in Copenhagen Denmark by HTDSTUDIO" AEC Cafe.com
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 / New York
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 Markets of Focus
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We are New York architects who design for those who want something special. We help you realise your project by interpreting your criteria and vision into a contemporary, well-thought-out design.
HTDSTUDIO specialises in early-stage design and concept development; we also collaborate with other firms to deliver larger projects. Our process requires an initial in-person or video consultation, a design concept, and upon your approval of the design, the required drawings for a building permit.
We also offer full service detailing and project management services post-approval.
New Construction / Renovations / Adaptive Re-Use
Sectors: Luxury villas / Luxury apartments / Multi-dwellings / Offices / Retail / Schools / Religious / Hospitality / Cultural / Light Industrial / Sustainability
Maximum Project Size: 20000m2
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Our focus on the Continent is Development / Hospitality / Cultural / Community / Commercial and High-end residential. We also welcome collaborations.
Maximum Project Size: 250,000sf / 23,225.7m2
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We consult with you on the design of your project and work with local professionals to help make your project a reality. Our network of U.S. consultants going back over a quarter century 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: 100,000ft2
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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 ensure success whether your project is small or large.
Sectors: Villas / Multi-dwellings / Not-for-Profit / Retail / Healthcare / Hospitality / Religious / Schools / Cultural / Light Industrial / Sustainability / Circular Economy
Maximum Project Size: 500,000ft2/46,450m2
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“We are very satisfied with the collaboration on our fire protection upgrade. The project was carried out with high professionalism, clear communication, and an impressive understanding of technical requirements and business needs.
HTDSTUDIO took a holistic approach, resulting in an effective action program. The implementation of fire-rated structures and improved escape routes significantly increased the level of safety in our premises. We appreciated their ability to handle complex technical issues with a solution-oriented approach. The project was delivered on schedule and with great care in every detail.
Thanks to this work, we can now continue operations in a safe and future-proof environment. We highly recommend HTDSTUDIO to anyone looking for a competent and committed partner in architecture and technical upgrade projects.”
Hanna Valdén, Principal, Sverigefinska Skolan, Eskilstuna, Sweden
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“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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"Howard is a creative thinker with the wide-ranging abilities necessary to solve any problem relating to design, place and collective memory. He has the perfect combination of management skills, ideas resolution and execution to make him a perfect colleague to bring in at the inception and development of large and small design projects."
Edward Hillel, Artistic Director, Harlem Arts Foundation, NY
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 Commitment to SDG.
Architecture + Design.
Identifying Value Chains.
Sustainability.
Read more about UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) at https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals
