Approach and process
Our approach is just as unique as we are.
At Studio NYL, we love to hear—on day one—all of our partner’s project aspirations no matter how wild ideas seem. We look for opportunities, rather than making compromises. We believe in imagining new solutions from engineering fundamental principles, meaning we do not approach designs the way a project was done before. Instead, we delight in the problem-solving process.
We believe the most important question our team must ask is, ‘why?’ We want to understand why a project’s design evolved into what it is today so that we can approach it unencumbered by compromises or perceived reality and feasibility. The more we understand our partner’s inspiration and development process, the better we can help the team find the most appropriate solutions to achieve the unique project vision.
Similarly, it is critical that our team can explain why some of our design options work, and why some perform better than others. The more we can effectively answer the many ‘why’ questions, the better our team works holistically to solve the many technical challenges each project presents—regardless of whether they are structural- or enclosure-related.
We challenge our whole team to explore many solutions while maintaining flexibility. In this manner, we achieve the most appropriate designs for a project’s many parameters whether they are aesthetic, cost, performance, constructability, or all of the above.
Process hallmarks
Deep collaboration
We work hand-in-hand with design and construction teams during the earliest stages of a project to help raise ambitions from the outset. We engage early with all subcontractors to ensure input makes projects more constructable and cost-effective.
Collaboration with the Studio NYL team at the very beginning of a project can accomplish higher quality architecture. The design can be better integrated with the structure and facade that can enhance rather than limit performance and form.
If the appropriate systems are selected early—when concepts are still fluid—it inherently reducing costs thanks to appropriateness and efficiency. In fact, structure—when considered proactively—can often become the architecture through its overt expression of architectural form or its articulation of structural details. With the facade, we can leverage material science and fabrication technology to achieve performance goals and articulate form.
Generating creative solutions
We pose and test a broad spectrum of ideas, systems, and materials and closely consider the following elements:
Strength, stiffness, ductility, weight, and fire resistance
Performance and durability
Holistic integration of MEP systems
Aesthetics—especially in cases where the building’s structure is designed to be part of the architectural aesthetic
Constructability
Cost and efficiency
Fabrication technology and methods
Panelization and modularity
Sustainability, embodied, and operational carbon
Efficiently bringing ideas to life
We use a wide variety of techniques and technologies to help teams visualize different options and efficiently merge design decisions and parameters into our workflow. As a team of engineers and architects, we thrive on optimization and solving teh challenges that designs present.
Studio NYL’s computational design capabilities were born from the need to promote efficiency in our designs AND our design process. Our ability to merge form with analytics and export to graphic representations is an important aspect to our workflow and has enabled some of our most successful projects. We use advanced software including Rhino/Grasshopper and REVIT/Dynamo.
We utilize parametric techniques to optimize workflow and project development. This approach allows us to work more holistically—leveraging complex analysis to reveal system and material relationships and feedback loops.
Testing and analysis
Better data begets better performance. Our team conducts THERM, WUFI, daylighting, and Finite Element Analysis to gather the necessary information to guide informed decisions on performance within structures and facades to elevate interrelated comfort, climate, and aesthetic goals.
“I have been working with Studio NYL for over 10 years on a wide range of projects, budgets, and complexities. No matter the scale, difficulty, or obstacles encountered, NYL is always open to work as an integrated part of the team to help make any project a reality. Their ability to focus on problem solving without compromising the overall intentions of the project is remarkable.”
- Gerardo Salinas, AIA | Factor Eficiencia
Resources
-
![]()
Bonnet Park: from sketch to construction
This article delves into the process behind the Bonnet Park project.
-
![]()
Proactive design
Julian Lineham shares how integrating structures early in a project can elevate design and lower cost.
-
![]()
Engineering a design-forward denver
Denver Post features how Studio NYL’s unique approach fosters design innovation.
-
![]()
Ludicrous speed
In this presentation Chris O’Hara shares techniques to put facade design and delivery on a fast track.
-
![]()
How to build your technical team
In this podcast, Chris O’Hara discusses the right ingredients are key to a project’s success.
