Bernheimer Architecture is a practice rooted in New York City and its surroundings.

As a studio BA creates dignified spaces through contemplative research, simultaneous with consideration for the pragmatics of building. Our studio is committed to designing sustainable and resilient architecture by crafting productive environments for people and their communities. Thoughtful use of form, materials and systems leads to designs responsive to context, program, budget, catalyzing rich experience.

BA provides full architectural design, interior design, construction administration, planning and zoning analysis services. BA’s portfolio includes award-winning affordable and high-end residential, commercial, hospitality, mixed-use, public architectural projects, furniture design, architectural design competitions, and art installations.

In 2022 Bernheimer Architecture labor formed the first private sector union at an architectural practice in the United States in over 90 years - and that union was voluntarily recognized. Our first contract was ratified during the summer of 2024.

Andrew Bernheimer FAIA

Founding Principal

Andy has his M.Arch from Washington University in St. Louis and is an Associate Professor of Architecture at Parsons School of Design in NYC. He was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2018 and received the Medal of Honor for the AIANY in 2023. Andy and his family live in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Meredith Kole Assoc. AIA

Principal

Meredith joined BA in 2012 and has overseen a diverse range of projects - from both single and multi-family homes to retail spaces and civic work. Meredith has an M.Arch from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a B.Des from the University of Florida. She has previously held positions at Adjaye Associates, Allied Works Architecture, Young Projects and TEN Arquitectos.

Thom Medek AIA

Principal

Thom is focused on combining purpose and possibility in the architecture of need. Dedicated to a deeper understanding of what the dignity of home means for the user and their social entanglements, he has been advancing the positively possible with his thoughtful and talented co-workers at BA since 2014.  

Thom is licensed in New York since 2017 and is working on becoming a Certified Passive House Consultant.  Outside of the office, Thom works on site-specific art projects with his wife Kate, learning the old ways of woodwork, and being the best dad possible.  

Will Sheridan AIA

Principal

Will joined BA in 2016 and has worked on numerous projects, leading efforts in all stages of design and construction on 1490 Southern Boulevard and several other affordable developments. Will has an M.Arch from Yale University, an MA in Literature from University College London and a B.A. from Williams College. Will previously worked at MADE in Brooklyn NY.

Tessie Nam

Principal

Tessie is a now-glad-to-be middle child who likes a well-made bed in the morning, a good cotton scarf, and her dog running free without a leash. She dislikes subway stairs, balloons, and fake pockets. Tessie graduated from the University of Michigan long ago and has been with BA for a very long time. 

Mariam
Alshamali

Principal

Mariam has been a contributing member to a variety of projects since she joined BA in 2015. Her contributions include a leading role in the Marcus Garvey Village - Site F - affordable housing development from conception to completion. Mariam completed her Master of Architecture at Parsons the New School for Design, and her bachelor in Environmental Design Studies at Dalhousie University. She has past experience working overseas both in Denmark and Kuwait City.

Chris

Beck

Chris joined BA in 2018 with a diverse background in architecture, art, design and construction. Previously he has worked with several firms, including Guy Nordenson & Associates, ARO, and Thread Collective. Prior to receiving a M.Arch from RISD, Chris served with AmeriCorps in New Orleans, working to rebuild homes in low-income neighborhoods, an experience that continues to impact his work on affordable housing in New York City. Outside of BA, he teaches at Parsons School of Design in the M.Arch program and has an active drawing and writing practice.

Kolby

Forbes

Kolby joined BA in 2021 with a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University. Since graduating she has lived in Brooklyn and held previous positions at Alda Ly Architecture and CetraRuddy.

Kolby is passionate about finding thoughtful design solutions that value an individual's experience within the space, often referencing principles of biophilic design. She has worked on a number of projects rethinking traditional healthcare, as well as other cultural and office spaces.

Po-Yu

Chung

Po-Yu joined BA in 2022 as an Architectural Designer after graduating with a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design (M.S.AAD) from Cornell University. Before he came to the U.S., Po-Yu received a B. Arch from NCKU in Taiwan and worked in Taiwan and Thailand.

During his study in Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and the U.S., Po-Yu developed his interest in housing and politics, which later brought him to BA in 2022. He believes architecture in our time should be flexible, adaptable, and create opportunities for the others to weigh in

Stephanie

Hamilton

Stephanie joined BA in 2019 after working with several design practices in New York, where she developed an interest in exploring ways to occupy and enrich the city through housing. She holds a M.Arch from Columbia University and a BA in Art History from Colgate University. At BA, she focuses on affordable housing and master planning projects.

Ann
Le

Ann joined BA as a full-time Architectural Designer in 2019 (having worked as an research assistant from 2016 while completing her studies at Parsons School of Design). She earned both an M.Arch and a MFA in Lighting Design with a Thesis Award from Parsons in 2019.

Ann has had her work exhibited at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale and has previously worked at One Lux Studio, Gabriel Mackinnon, 25:8 Architecture + Urban Design and as production designer for festivals.

Praxiteles

Lykos

A native New Yorker, Praxiteles joined Bernheimer Architecture in 2021. Praxiteles holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. During his time there, he was the recipient of the 2016 Undergraduate Thesis Award.

He would eventually return to New York City to practice at a variety of scales and at a range of studios. From very large-scale civic masterplanning down to intensely detailed and personal residential projects, Praxiteles has a particular interest in the overlap between people and ecological or material systems and the role that design can play in communicating the identity of a place. With unique exposure to design disciplines like Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Praxiteles brings an interdisciplinary voice to the teams he collaborates with.

In addition to several years of practice in New York City, Praxiteles has collaborated with studios in Boston and Athens. 

Jennifer
Siqueira

Jennifer, aka Je, joined BA in early 2022 as Project Architect. She received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from UC Berkeley. While a graduate student, she was the recipient of the Branner Traveling Fellowship which allowed her to spend a year documenting housing designed and built for families in post-disaster communities in various countries. With nearly a decade of experience, Je has worked at renowned architecture firms, most recently SHoP Architects where she spent 4+ years mainly involved in government projects, including the US Embassy Annex in Bangkok, Thailand. Je believes that everyone deserves good design and that the service of an architect should be a benefit to all. Je is the mom of Joao Santiago and step mom to Toni the cat.