Joseph J. Smerina, AIA & Giuseppe R. Anzalone, AIA
MEET THE TEAM
HISTORY
New York Design Architects, LLP was founded in 1996 and has grown to become the industry leader in retail and food service Architecture in NYC. Practicing nationally, NYDA is most renown, for their NYC presence. Based in Tribeca, their office is positioned centrally to Manhattan’s municipal offices as well as all outer borough offices. This helps facilitate the “one stop shopping” approach that NYDA has become known for.
ONE STOP SHOP
In NYC, everyone’s a specialist, particularly when it comes to the construction industry. An inexperienced owner or novice developer can easily be caught up in a maze of consultants, designers, branding experts, engineers, expeditors, city agencies, and project managers, causing the project to run amuck, each taking no leadership role and blaming the other for the project’s shortcomings. New York Design Architects, LLP takes a different approach. Taking a leadership role, NYDA seamlessly assembles and manages the project team consisting of project managers, designers, architects, engineers, and filing representatives, and delivers a single point of contact to the client. It’s called “one - stop shopping”. NYDA makes this possible due to the multi-disciplined, talented and experienced team of professionals that are kept on staff.
HANDS-ON APPROACH
The NYDA Partners, Architects Joseph J. Smerina, AIA and Giuseppe R. Anzalone, AIA, are personally involved in the day-to-day performance of their talented team of designers, consulting engineers and filing representatives. They lend their expertise and support to the work every step of the way, helping to navigate the job through every complexity from stage one to completion.
NOT JUST NEW YORK
Don't let the name fool you. Over the past 30 years, our firm has expanded our practice both nationally and internationally. Our team is licensed to practice in most all US markets.
PARTNER
JOSEPH J. SMERINA, AIA
Mr. Smerina, is a skilled Artist and Designer and is known for his problem solving capabilities, developed during 37 years of work in various roles including, Architect, Owner, Developer, and Contractor, on hundreds of projects of all sizes and complexities.
Joseph has worked all sides of the table and understands that the needs of all team member must be met for a project to be successful. Before becoming the Principal Designer of New York Design Architects, LLP Joesph, a Brooklyn native, has always had a love for the Architecture and for NYC. After attending Brooklyn Technical High School and Pratt institute, he expanded his local education by studying abroad in Rome and elsewhere in Europe.
Mr. Smerina has worked Nationally and holds licenses in New York, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, NCARB, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. He is a NYC and NYS Asbestos Inspector, Managing Director of a Special Inspections Agency and AIA Brooklyn Chapter and National Council of Architectural Review Board (NCARB) member.
Mr. Smerina has received various awards throughout his career including the Pratt Institute National Talent Search for Architecture, and The American Institute of Architects Design Awards.
GIUSEPPE R ANZALONE, AIA
PARTNER
Mr. Anzalone is managing partner of NYDA since its inception in 1996, and is expert in building code, zoning interpretations, and ADA code compliance.
Giuseppe served on the Board of Directors for AIA NY State 2014-2017, and as President of AIA Brooklyn from 2012-2013. Additionally, he was President of the Brooklyn Architects Scholarship Foundation from 2018-2019, and the NY Fire Department Code Committee in 2012 and 2019. Sitting on the NYC Zoning Advisory Council, and the Brooklyn Housing Preservation Alliance; he regularly interacts with city and state officials and has his finger on the pulse of a variety of issues concerning public policy and political issues.
His architectural and construction experience spans over 30 years and he has completed projects for fortune 500 companies and is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, Florida and Michigan.
Giuseppe is a Scholarship Recipient who attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY and Rome Italy.
IVAN SEGIC, AIA
ASSOCIATE
Senior Project Architect
As Senior Project Architect, Ivan’s career at New York Design has spanned 13 years in which he has managed hundreds of complex projects for prestigious national and international clients, working in NY City's most desirable buildings.
Ivan’s credentials include extensive knowledge of zoning, building codes, the and accessibility (ADA) issues. In addition to Architectural Expertise, he also has vast knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems.
Mr. Segic holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology Degree from New York Institute of Technology has been a Registered Architect in the State of New York for over 27 years.
KATHY E. WHITLEY
ASSOCIATE
Senior Permit Coordinator
Growing up in NYC, and being the daughter of a practicing Architect, Kathy brings a lifetime of practical experience to the table. For the past 16 years, however, Kathy has dedicated her talent to New York Design Architects.
Initially working as an Architectural Project Manager, she eventually grew to oversee all permitting operations and code and zoning consulting at NYDA.
Kathy combines her organizational and technical skills, with her personable dementor to pursue approvals and manage projects from filings to close out. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology Degree from New York Institute of Technology.
JOSEPH D'AMATO
ASSOCIATE
Senior Project Architect
Joe manages some of the most demanding and extensive corporate roll out accounts in the industry and has facilitated the construction of literally hundreds of food service and retail projects for major national chains.
Mr. D’Amato brings nearly 20 years of experience in the Architectural and construction field.
Joe’s experience includes over 7 years as Senior Project Architect at New York Design with extensive knowledge in construction as well as building, zoning, and health codes and coordination of MEP systems.
FARIYAL KNIGHT
Senior Project Architect
With over 15 years of experience in architecture, and completing a range of projects, such as corporate, retail, restaurant, residential, and institutional, Fariyal has a keen eye for detail and construction. She graduated from New York City College of Technology with a Bachelors in Architectural Technology.
Fariyal started working at NYDA in 2014 and worked her way up to Project Manager, setting high standards for the production team.
Currently holding the position of Senior Project Architect where she continues to shine, working alongside a team that she leads from project conception, production and completion.
GIOVANNI SCOCCHERA
ASSOCIATE
Senior Architectural Designer, Visualization & Technology Expert
Giovanni leads the design division with exceptional design intuition and acute mastery of technology and visualization. He can create innovative designs, and communicate them through the visual language of photo realistic visualizations and intriguing animations.
Gio is the master of many technologies, and heads up NYDA’s 3-D laser scanning and 3-D modeling initiatives.
Educated in Europe at the Universita Roma Tre in Rome, Italy, Giovanni obtained a Master of Architecture Degree with honors, & Minor in Civil Engineering. Giovanni has been affiliated with NYDA since 2006. Giovanni has worked in the US as well as internationally in, Europe and Asia.
ELBA P FUENTES
ASSOCIATE
Senior Permit Coordinator
Elba, a seasoned administrator, for the past 15 years, has navigated our client’s projects through the complicated processes of the City of New York, managing building permit applications through multiple city agencies until securing approval.
Simultaneously managing various consultants, such as testing laboratories, inspection agencies, environmental consultants and project - specific experts, Elba turns many moving parts into a “well - oiled machine”.
BRANDON BOYLE
Senior Project Architect
Brandon holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from New York Institute of Technology and currently works as senior Project Architect at NYDA, managing multi - unit food service roll-outs for an international corporation.
Brandon’s technical expertise is notable and he manages some of the most demanding documentation software.
HAI TO (CHRIS) NG
Project Manager
Chris has been with NYDA since 2019. He is skilled in Auto-Cad and Revit documentation. Chris manages production of construction documents and is backbone of the production team.
ALEX DOKTOR
Accountant
Alex's extensive experience in the financial aspects of the construction industry, keep our projects on budget and on schedule.
LIANG ZHU
Accountant/ Human Resources
Liang's attention to detail helps, our office run effectively and efficiently throughout the year.
CATHY PAGANO
Permit Coordinator
Cathy, has worked at NYDA since 2011 and is arguably one of the the hardest working people in the firm. Her dedication and experience allow her to process applications through multiple city agencies until securing approval with grace and ease.
KELLY YUN
Interior Designer
Kelly’s design responsibilities run the gamut from conceptual design to material selection. Her taste level is sophisticated, though practical and sensitive to the client’s needs.
Kelly graduated Magna Cum Laude from NYC’s Fashion institute of Technology, and has been dazzling clients ever since with her design and presentations skills.
Kelly utilizes the latest design and documentation software and works with product manufacturers and representatives to find the most relevant, state of the art design solutions.
JOANNA M. SMERINA
Architectural Designer
Joanna is an architectural designer with a strong design and technical background. She earned her Bachelor in Architecture and a minor in Construction Management from Drexel University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and serving as AIAS president.
With experience across residential, commercial, office buildings, schools, mixed-use developments, and senior housing, Joanna brings a diverse skill set to her projects.
Proficient in Revit, she blends creativity and technical precision to meet project goals and deadlines. Currently pursuing licensure, Joanna is committed to continuous professional growth and actively engages with the design community through thesis jury panels, speaking engagements, and organizations like Women in Architecture.
NOTABLE CLIENT LIST
AECOM / Tishman construction
Alan Phillips Restaurant Group
Alicart Restaurant Group
Alpha Romeo
Amalgamated Bank
Amorino
Annie Sez
Apple Bank
Aroma Cafe
Audi
Au Bon Pain
Aunt Butchie's Deserts
Auntie Ann's Pretzels
Bagle Boy
Bamn
Bed Bath & Beyond Cafe
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Benihana
Bergoff Goodman
Better Burger
B & H Photo
Blink Fitness
Blockbuster Video
BMW, Life Quality
Bowlmor AMF
Bread Factory Cafe
Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Vetinary Group
Buffalo Wild Wings
Burger King
Cafe Metro
Carmine’s Restaurant
Capitol Grille
Capitol One Bank
Charolette Russe
Cava Mediterranean Grill
Ckick Chuck
Chipotle
China Grill
Chrysler, Giuffre
Citrus
Clean Rite Centers
Cosi, Inc
Crossroads Trading
Crown Acquisitions
CVS Pharmacy
Déjá Vu Clubs
Denny's
Dependable Electric
Dollar Tree
Doherty Restaurant Group
Drive Shack NYC
Duane Reade
Dynamic Changes Hypnosis
Eatsa
Eckerd
Elizabeth's Neighborhood Table Restaurant
Empire Transit Mix
Ess-a-Bagel
Euro Pan
Extra Space Storage
Faberware
Fata Orginization
Federated Department Stores
Fields Good Chicken
Fiat
Fika
Fithouse
Five Guys Burgers
Flavors Cafe
Food Exchange
Footlocker
For Eyes Optical
Four Seasons Hotel
Fresh & Co.
FUBO TV
FYE
Gabriella's Restaurant
Gateway News
Gotham Green
GNC
Hale & Hearty Soup
Harbor Fitness
Honda, Bay Ridge
Hubb Properties
Hyundai, Giufree
The Huntington Learning Center
Itsu
Jamba Juice
Japan Airlines
J. C. National
J. C. Penny
Jet Blue
Jet's Pizza
Jones the Grocer
Joe’s of Avenue U
Josephina
Josie's
Jude Bernard
Just Salad
Just Food for Dogs
Keller Williams
Kenneth Cole
KFC
Kia, Guiffre
Kiki Di Montparnasse Store
Kryolife
Kyma Restaurants
Lexus of Queens
Lifetime Brands
Little Beet
Larry Flint's Hustler Club
LT Burger
Lionheart Acquisition
Lutheran Medical Center
Mac Arthur Capital
Macy's
Macy's Bed Express
Maggie Moo's
Manchu Wok
Marine Park Golf Course
Marshall's
Maserati
Mazda
McDonald's Corporation
McManus Funeral Parlor
Melt Shop
Metro Marche's
My Gym
Naya
Northwell Health
NY Mets Clubhouse
NY Yankees Clubhouse
Ole & Steen
Olive Garden
Omni Fitness
Oren's Daily Roast Coffee Company
Organic Avenue
Pan Brothers
Panera Bread
Paris Baguette
Patty & Co.
Pep Boys
Petco
P.F.Chang
Pick-a-bagel
Piece Management
Plant Junkie
Pollo Campero
Pot Belly
Power Plant
Pret-A-Manger
Pronto Pizza
Pump It Up
Quick Test
Quizno's
Radio Shack
Raising Cane
Ralph Aievoli & Son Funeral Parlor
Rapid Delivery
Rare
Red Square
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Rent-A-Center
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Sbarro’s
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Score Educational Center
Second City
Seven Eleven
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Singapore Airlines
Sleepy's
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SOLA Salons
Soul Cycle
Spice
SPIN
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Starbucks Coffee Company
Staten Island University Hospital
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St. Mary’s Church
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Subaru, Bay Ridge
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Suite
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Taco Bell
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United American Land
URBAN AIR
Virgil's
Vintry Wine and Whiskey Bar
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YWCA