Fontan Architecture Blog
Architecture, Planning, & Interior Design Blog
Commercial to Residential Conversion
Adaptive reuse is the practice of re purposing a building with one use and converting to another. Building conversions are a much more sustainable building practice then demolishing a building and building a new one. If the building is in good enough shape you will...
Adding a Bathroom to an Apartment in NYC
Can you add a bathroom to an apartment in NYC? You can add a bathroom to an apartment in NYC if you have approval from your building management and Condo or Co-Op Board. You will also need to hire an architect and file for permits with the Department of Buildings. In...
Mezzanine Codes in NYC
What is a mezzanine? A mezzanine is an elevated space that is considered part of the story below. By code a mezzanine is not a story. A mezzanine will contribute to a building's floor area ratio for zoning purposes, as per New York City Zoning. Mezzanines in...
Permit For Building A Wall NYC
Building a wall in NYC requires a permit. This means you will need to hire an architect and file plans with the Department Of Buildings to get a permit before you can start construction. Building a wall in a building or house will typically be filed as an Alt 2 or...
Building A Townhouse In NYC
We are currently in the process of building a new townhouse in Brooklyn. Below is a step by step account of the process. We will periodically be updating this blog post as the project develops. New Build Townhouse Purchasing The Property Our client (before he...
Micro Apartments Minimum Apartment Size NYC
Micro Apartments are compact dwelling units typically one room in size under 400 square feet. These apartments have one open living and sleeping space with a kitchen and a full bathroom. Minimum Apartment Size NYC New York City does not have general...
Architectural Fees
Architectural Fee structure can come in many forms from hourly, percentage of construction, per square foot, or flat rates. Depending on the architect the architectural fees may have varying structures and these may also vary based on the project type. Different...
Density Factor / Dwelling Unit Factor
Density Factor is a zoning term for the maximum allowable number of residential units one can develop on a property. The allowable residential square footage of the building is divided by the density factor to determine the allowable number of units. These factors...
Floor Area Ratio FAR Zoning Calculations
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a mathematical formula that determines how many square feet can be developed on a property in proportion to the lot area. The property area is multiplied by the FAR factor; with the result being the maximum floor area allowed for a building...
Quality Housing Program NYC
What is the Quality Housing Program? The Quality Housing Program (QHP) is a set of zoning regulations in New York City that intends to maintain the existing character of specific neighborhoods and provide amenities for the building occupants. The program enforces...
