Shay Alster, AIA,
Managing Partner
GF55 Architects
Shay Alster, AIA, is a longstanding Managing Partner at GF55 Architects. GF55 is widely recognized in the industry and has won many design awards, including the Andrew J. Thomas Award for Pioneering in Housing from the American Institute of Architects. Shay’s expertise and experience with NYC zoning have contributed to his spearheading several large-scale urban development projects, for which he has garnered multiple awards from the NY State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) and received accolades from the real estate industry for his extensive knowledge and his understanding of the critical bridge between architecture and real estate.
Would you please tell us about your company and the type of architecture you specialize in?
GF55 is headquartered in NYC, and it has a satellite office in Miami. This year the firm celebrates its 40th anniversary! The firm has specific expertise in Multi-Family, Retail, Educational, Hospitality, and Industrial Architecture. We’ve designed and built over 12 million square feet of housing nationally including 200+ buildings in NYC.
Recent projects include Alvista Development in Jamaica Queens, NY, and 88 E 127th in East Harlem, NY. They are both mixed-income multifamily buildings that include generous amenity spaces that engage residents and create a sense of community. 183 Chrystie Street is a 17-story mixed-use cantilevered building on the Lower East Side that is currently under construction. The design is a modern take on classically inspired buildings and re-establishes a relationship to a historic NYC park. W54 is a 21-story mixed-use tower that will be located in Midtown Manhattan. The site for the building is currently being cleared for construction. As you know, East 33rd in Kips Bay, NY just won the SARA National AI competition! The 23-story tower has a modern, cantilevered design that takes advantage of successful rezoning which doubled the height and floor area of the building.
Would you share your journey to becoming an architect?
As a child, I was fascinated by how spaces were created from raw materials and I loved hanging out at construction sites. I liked drawing and drafting directly on my bedroom walls.
During my service in the Air Force, I was involved in the design and construction of my own air force squadron unit and I found the process of planning & design very rewarding.
Once I decided I wanted to apply for architecture, I started building my portfolio on a variety of models of small structures, such as bus stops and shelters, in addition to other ideas for building construction ideas. In 1996, I received my Bachelor of Architecture degree with highest honors from the Pratt Institute in NYC
Why do you think technology is important for the architecture industry?
Just after graduation from Pratt, the Architecture School Building, Higgins Hall, caught on fire and all of my models and hand-drafted drawings presented at the end of year exhibit turned to dust. My entire portfolio went up in flames. I was fortunate to be offered a job by one of the university professors as a designer at his architecture practice (Kupiec and Koutsomitis Architects P.C.). Needless to say, I wish we had technology back then.
Interestingly enough, this general time frame also marked the beginning of a new era as the entire architecture industry went through a technological revolution. I learned how to work on AutoCAD (Release 11 & 12 on DOS) and later learned how to build 3D models of buildings and render them using what would now be considered pre-historic software programs
I got the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in NYC which included the revitalization of 42nd Street at Times Square, the renovation of the Carnegie Libraries, and the Central Park Conservancy. With the RKK&G – The Museum Group, I had the pleasure of working on many museum projects such as the construction of new auditorium additions and displays in the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, on the Museo De Arte De San Juan and Ponce in Puerto Rico, and the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Poland among others.
After I gained experience and knowledge in the field and learned how to use technology to the advantage of the profession, I joined GF55 Architects. Together with real estate developers, we examined the potential development and rehabilitation of up-and-coming neighborhoods in NYC, such as the East Village and Harlem. GF55 took part in the renovation of Vacant Buildings 2000 and participated in the rezoning of neighborhoods across the five boroughs in NYC. We were also the architects of entire city blocks in West and Central Harlem. The firm was awarded major RFPs that were issued by NYC’s HPD and completed very large-scale, mixed-use Affordable Housing developments throughout NYC. The firm has since received various awards including the prestigious Andrew J. Thomas Award for Pioneering in Housing from The American Institute of Architects.
During the last two decades, we put a priority on new technology that’s been developed for architecture planning and design. We also hired highly skilled architects who were familiar with coordination and construction administration programs that helped manage the construction process. GF55 is currently working with different technology firms such as ArkDesign.AI to keep abreast of the latest innovations that impact the future of architecture.
Would you share 5 tips to other architects?
- Use the latest BIM, AI, and CM technologies that’s developed for architecture.
- Continuously invest in your architects to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date.
- Be aware & responsive to the concerns of the entire project team members and the building managers & users.
- Diversify your work type – aim to work on a variety of project types and typologies.
- Put your ego on the side and be kind!
