NANDINEE PHOOKAN ARCHITECTS
NANDINEE PHOOKAN ARCHITECTS

About Us

Profile

At Nandinee Phookan Architects, we create value through design. By placing our focus on good design over specific building typology, we’ve maintained a highly diversified practice over two decades. We work on projects of all sizes and types, providing services for both new buildings and rehabilitation projects. Our expertise includes work in infrastructure, transportation, institutional projects, commercial projects, hospitality, residential projects, and urban design. Working in both private and public sectors, NPA leverages its collaborative relationships with additional architecture firms, engineering firms, and government agencies to deliver on projects of all sizes and expand its possible offerings. For every project, we aim to work closely with our clients to meet their distinct needs, and enjoy partnering with clients to support and assist in reimagining their brand identity. 

In addition to architectural services, NPA has designed exhibitions, furniture and product lines. In 2009, NPA launched its design studio, IMAKE, a collaborative project with weavers in Northeastern India. The collaboration produced textiles and furniture which explored the technical and programmatic aspects of design as well as social, conceptual, and aesthetic issues. 

NPA’s clients include NYC EDC, NYCHA, MTA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, GSA, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consulate of Columbia, Brooklyn Public Libraries, YWCA, Columbia University, Fashion Institute of Technology, CUNY, SUNY, AECOM, American Express, Goldman Sachs, Marathon Development Group, and Northwell Health.

NPA provides a full range of services, including architectural and interior design services, programming and feasibility studies, conditions assessments, and construction administration and documentation.

Team

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Nandinee Phookan

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Nandinee Phookan is the founding Principal of NPA, which she started in 1998. As Principal, she is actively involved in every project and oversees all aspects of the design process. Her broad interest in the application of design thinking is reflected in the firm’s portfolio of projects, which range from urban design, architecture and interior design, to furniture, products, and graphics.

Before founding NPA, Nandinee worked with Charles Correa and Max Bond of Davis Brody Bond. She has also taught architectural design studios as an adjunct professor at Pratt Institute and the City College of the City University of New York.

Nandinee is a Registered Architect in New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, and Virginia, and is NCARB certified and a LEED accredited professional. Nandinee holds a Master's in Architecture Studies in Housing and Environmental Design from MIT and a Bachelor's of Architecture from the University of Delhi in India. At MIT, Nandinee worked with John Habraken in the application of his system of support and infill to multifamily housing.

 

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Luis Rivera

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Luis F. Rivera is a Partner at Nandinee Phookan Architects. Before joining NPA in 2002, he worked with some of the largest architectural firms in the US, including Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Ellerbe Becket, NBBJ, and Swanke Hayden Connell, on projects ranging from healthcare and institutional to assisted living and community centers.

Luis extensive experience in project management and technical coordination supports NPA’s wide range of projects and frequent collaborations with community stakeholders, government organizations, and other firms. His interest in leadership and teamwork has shaped NPA to create a more efficient and empowering environment where every member plays a role.

Luis Rivera holds a Bachelor's in Architecture from the City College of the City University of New York.

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Ashwini Dhamankar

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Ashwini is an Architectural Designer at Nandinee Phookan Architects. At NPA Ashwini has worked on various projects from schematic design to construction documents and as-built documentation. Ashwini is a certified LEED Green Associate. Before joining NPA Ashwini worked at offices in Los Angeles and India.

Ashwini Dhamankar received her Master’s degree in Urban Design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Georgia and her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Mumbai, India. At SCAD she received the Deans Award for Outstanding Thesis in 2016 for her work on social solutions for interstitial tissues/ urban voids in close knit cities, using unused parking lots in Atlanta, Georgia as a case study. 

Olivia Dellacava

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Olivia is an Architectural Designer at NPA. Her work at NPA has included contributions to civic, transportation, and infrastructure projects in New York. She is currently supporting the expansion of Foodirect’s Hunts Point Cooperative Market warehouse, the replacement of a NYC DDC cooling tower, elevator upgrades at Queens College, and the stabilization of eroded shoreline in Staten Island, among other projects. Prior to joining NPA, Olivia worked at additional firms in New York City.

Olivia holds a Bachelor’s of Architecture from Syracuse University and is currently pursuing both her LEED Green certification and architecture licensure in New York state. 

Riya Nerurkar 

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Riya is an Architectural Designer at NPA, where she has worked on various civic projects. Among those projects include renovations to Washington Irving Library and an overhaul of facility monitoring and safety systems of MTA tunnels. Before joining NPA, Riya worked at offices in the New York metropolitan area and Mumbai, gaining additional experience in the hospitality and residential sectors.

Riya holds a Master’s of Architecture from New York Tech and Bachelor’s of Architecture from the University of Mumbai. She is a Registered Architect with the Council of Architecture in India.

Recognition

Awards

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2011
Building Brooklyn Awards, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce:
28 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY

2010
AIA Brooklyn Design Awards, Award of Merit:

Park Hill Housing, Middletown, NY

AIA Brooklyn Design Awards, Certificate Of Appreciation:
28 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY

AIA Brooklyn Design Awards, Certificate of Appreciation:
219 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY

1990
'Visions of Home', Third Prize
The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Publications / Press

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2015
CRAIN'S NEW YORK
New York Stories, Season 2, Episode 5

2012
THE HOME OBSERVER

2011
LUXURY PORTFOLIO INTERNATIONAL

2006
25 APARTMENTS AND LOFTS UNDER 2500 SQUARE FEET
19th Street Apartment

2005
THE NEW AMERICAN APARTMENT II
ELLE DECOR, INDIA

2004
LOFT, DESIGN ISSUE
The Pad, 217 W 19th Street

STILO
Conexion: Nueva York > Guatemala

2002
NEW YORK - ARCHITECTS

1999
TRAVEL & LEISURE
A Passage to India in Chelsea

ARCHITECTURAL RECORD
A New York Photography Center Provides a Passage to India

Associations & Certifications

Certifications

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Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)

US Small Business Administration

Minority & Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE)

State of New York
City of New York
Port Authority of NY & NJ [PANYNJ]
Dormitory Authority State of New York [DASNY]
State University Construction Fund [SUCF]
New York City Economic Development Corporation [NYCEDC]
New York City School Construction Authority [NYCSCA]
New York City Housing Authority [NYCHA]
New York City Department of Design and Construction [NYCDDC]

Vendex Certification

Certified by Mayor's office of Contract Services

8A Business Development Program

8A graduate (certified 2006 through 2015)