Team

Unique Clients Deserve Our Unique Design Approach

James Koster Architect, PLLC has earned a reputation for providing unique and thorough architectural services throughout New York City and beyond. We are a full-service residential and commercial architecture practice that pursues a broad range of work, from residential apartment, brownstone, and loft renovations to commercial and development projects.

JKA does not seek to promote a specific architectural style or design approach but instead develops a design concept rooted in the unique context of the project, the aspirations of the individual client, and the functional and budgetary requirements. Whether a project will develop around an experimental, modern approach or a more familiar, traditionally rooted design, results from a synthesis of these elements with the consequence that no two projects are ever alike.

As Principal of JKA, James Koster founded his own firm after ten successful years with one of New York City’s finest mid-sized architecture firms. In addition to recent large-scale residential renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, he has collaborated on a real estate condominium-resort development in Telluride, Colorado and has served as project architect for a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional projects.

James earned a Master of Architecture from Princeton University where he also taught construction technology. James also holds a graduate-level Advanced Professional Certificate in Real Estate Development from New York University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Design from the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated cum laude. James is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is registered in New York and Illinois. He has appeared frequently before the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

In addition to his architectural practice, James has served as an adjunct professor of architecture at the Parsons School of Design in New York City and appeared as one of the designers on Season I of KidSpace, an HGTV program dedicated to the creation of unique and budget-friendly children’s rooms. He also has real, hands-on experience in many aspects of the construction process.

James’s awards include the Kelly Grant from the Illuminating Engineers Society for excellence in lighting design and a New York State Preservation League award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for the restoration and revitalization of a Civil War-era newspaper building in Yonkers. Along with three colleagues, he also won the Chase Community Development Competition for a design, marketability and feasibility study for a community renewal project in Harlem.

Blue Sky Design, Inc., founded in January of 2000, is a full service Structural Engineering consulting firm based in New York City, offering services throughout the tri-state area and beyond. We are recognized members of the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) and ACI (American Concrete Institute), and we are licensed in New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida.

Blue Sky Design experience covers a full aspect of structural design, with projects ranging from new, ground-up, multi story buildings through high-end residences and retail spaces to small apartment renovations. We are equally comfortable designing a steel, concrete or wood structure, or marrying new elements into existing building. Our office is equipped with the most cutting edge industry software available, and we are capable of furnishing full CAD document production services as required.

Blue Sky Design offers a wide array of structural engineering services including:

• Commercial and Institutional Building Design, New Construction and Renovation

• Residential Building Design, New Construction and Renovation

• High-end Residential Design, New Construction and Renovation

• Retail Space Design and Renovation

• Shoring/Site Stability

• Foundations

• Facade Inspection/Restoration

• Local Law 11 Inspections

• NYC DOB Required Structural Special Inspections

• Vibration Monitoring

• Inspection/Evaluation/Forensics

• High Wind Design/Consulting

Hayden has spent over a decade as a client side project manager in the high-end residential & Design-Build sectors. After competing his education (B.Arch) at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture (CUNY), Hayden went on to work for renowned architect George Ranalli, where he spent the next 7 years learning the ins and outs of the architecture and high-end residential businesses. After his tenure at GRA, Hayden spent 2 years working as a senior designer for a Design/Build firm specializing in photovoltaic parking canopies. Hayden’s broad range of projects consists of townhouse renovations, conversions of double wide town houses, and penthouse renovations that include roof decks and landscaping work. Hayden believes that a firm understanding of a project’s “design intent” is paramount to its successful execution.