by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 10, 2024 | NYC DOB, General Architecture
What is a Certificate of Occupancy? A Certificate of Occupancy is a document that describes the legal use and maximum occupancy of a building issued by the Department of Buildings. The Certificate lists individual building uses per story, the maximum occupancy of each... by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Jul 13, 2020 | General Architecture
The terms townhouse, brownstone, and rowhouse are often used interchangeably but they actually all mean different things. Townhouse Brownstone Rowhouse What is a Townhouse? A townhouse is an attached house or rowhouse located in a city or town. These... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 14, 2026 | General Architecture, New Home Design, Sustainable Design
Passive House principles improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and long-term building performance. These strategies can be applied to single-family homes, townhouses, multifamily buildings, and large-scale developments. The approach combines... 
by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 13, 2026 | New Home Design, Architectural Services, General Architecture
Building a new townhouse in NYC requires careful coordination between zoning analysis, architectural design, DOB approvals, engineering, and construction planning. Every property presents unique constraints and opportunities that influence the building envelope, floor... by Jorge Fontan | Last updated May 12, 2026 | Architectural Services, Construction Practices, General Architecture
Architectural fees vary based on project scope, complexity, level of customization, and the services required. Design services for construction projects require extensive coordination between design, technical documentation, consultants, contractors, and regulatory... by Jorge Fontan | Last updated Apr 11, 2026 | General Architecture, Architectural Services
The architectural design process is structured into a series of defined phases that guide a project from initial concept through construction. These phases establish how architects organize their work, coordinate with consultants, and communicate with clients and...