Commercial Office Renovation

Commercial Office Renovation

Rojas AP was hired by an apparel manufacturing company based in Midtown to streamline their office spaces across multiple floors within a 27 story commercial and office building. Tasked with consolidating operations from partial areas on the 6th and 8th floors into the existing 9th floor headquarters, Rojas AP embarked on a comprehensive project. Rojas AP worked closely with the client to develop a schematic and code compliant plan for optimal use of space on the 9th floor to accommodate additional employees. This involved reconfiguring existing offices, creating new workspaces, and integrating various rooms into a cohesive layout. A pivotal aspect of the project was the removal of the existing staircase connecting the 8th and 9th floors, situated within the gallery space. Additionally, relocating the antique chandelier above the existing staircase to a new position required meticulous planning and execution. Rojas AP was also responsible for creating a comprehensive bid package and performed bid coordination amongst bidding contractors, alongside obtaining approvals from the DOB.

LOCATION
MANHATTAN, NY

Williamsburg Facade Repair

Wiiliamsburg Facade Repair

Rojas AP was tasked with addressing the ongoing leaks originating from the east and north facades for the six-story residential building located in Williamsburg. Because of the limited budget, Rojas AP took an unusual approach to the bidding process by including all applicable scope items in the bid form and drawings. The scope was only defined after the general contractor was awarded for the job and value engineering was done by Rojas AP to meet the target amount. The final facade repair scope prioritized addressing the leaks with proper flashing at leaking windows. Once demolition of the bricks at each window begin, Rojas AP was surprised to observe that not only the existing windows lacked any flashing, but the exterior wall had cavities around steel that did not allow for a typical waterproofing detail. Rojas AP issued an alternate flashing detail, directing the contractor to fill cavities with non-shrink precision grout in plastic state and parging existing concrete areas with grout to create a smooth surface for the self-adhered flashing application.

LOCATION
BROOKLYN, NY

Bronx Pro Bono Outdoor Dining

Bronx Pro Bono Outdoor Dining

As part of the NYCxDESIGN Corps program, Rojas AP was contacted by the restaurant owner of the South of France to design two outdoor dining areas. In addition to complying with the city’s COVID-19 and dining regulations, Rojas AP was compelled by the owner to propose a space that offers its customers cross-ventilation during the summer that can also keep the heater-generated air during the winter. The owner wanted windows and doors that allowed the two structures to be locked from the outside and keep the restaurant’s belongings safe overnight. For cross-ventilation and natural light, Rojas AP proposed a custom-made window for each module, with sliding glass panels that can be removed during work hours. For better insulation, we proposed double-pane glass. Rojas AP also proposed UV-protected clear corrugated polycarbonate roofing for additional natural light. The challenge was to make this authentic Puerto Rican restaurant visually stand out from the adjacent restaurant. The result was a combination of terra-cotta painted plywood and off-white trims, with black and white Chevron shaped painted plywood flooring to resemble the historic colonial look and feel of Old San Juan.

LOCATION
BRONX, NY