Architecture

Helpern Architects has been nationally recognized for its exceptional designs. The work of our talented and dedicated professionals is one reason for this fine reputation. The skills of David Helpern and the entire staff have been essential in the success of a wide range of projects: influential (667 Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan); beloved (the Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo); prestigious (the University of Pennsylvania’s only alumni club); and historic (a master plan for Carnegie Hall).

This mix of projects is united by a single principle: Aesthetics and innovation must go hand-in-hand with practicality. With this attitude toward our work, we have developed long-lasting relationships with many of our clients.

Planning

Good design neither begins nor ends with the creation of a single building. Helpern Architects has also developed comprehensive master plans that enable our clients to see beyond just what they need today. These documents offer guidance on the best use of current facilities and the construction of new buildings to meet programming and other requirements.

We develop master plans for both small private schools and large institutions—including Manhattan’s Dalton and Collegiate schools; and Wesleyan, Yale, and Cornell universities—by involving clients in all aspects of a project and by building a consensus among constituencies. We then explore alternatives to determine the most effective course for our clients.

Technical Services
Within Helpern Architects is a staff of technically oriented and licensed professionals who are expert in maintenance and repairs for the building envelope and structure. This division, Helpern Technical Services, combines a thorough knowledge of how structures work with architectural experience to handle surveys and inspections, rehabilitation plans, programming and design development, post-construction evaluation, ADA surveys and barrier removal, and other key services.

Assignments generally focus on preservation, conservation, and renovation. Many buildings we handle are landmarked or are of landmark quality; most are merely old, but some are fairly new. Because we handle various building styles and construction methods with equal ease, we have developed long-term relationships with several clients.