The rich architectural legacy of Glen Ridge reflects the town’s historical character. Whether you’re looking to build a new abode, restore your heritage house, or make an addition to an existing structure, you need an architect that is sensitive to your needs as well as the context to which each project contributes. Blending new construction into an existing streetscape without disrupting a community’s look or historical continuity can be tough.
To help you choose the right designer equipped to handle any building requirements you and your environment might require, our team has curated a list of the best residential architects in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. These firms were selected for their accreditations, certifications, and professional affiliations. We also considered the recognition each firm has received in the form of industry awards, client reviews, and press features. To make your search easier, we have laid out the range of services the firms offer, their specializations, and the length of time they have been in the industry.
Daniel Kopec Architectural Design LLC
289 Bay Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Daniel Kopec Architectural Design LLC (DKAD) is a full-service architecture firm offering residential and commercial architecture planning and design services. The firm is a champion of natural light and a crafter of efficient space. The firm strikes a balance between beautiful aesthetics and structural integrity, doing so through sustainable practices as a studio certified by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). It has built lasting relationships with engineers, design consultants, and material suppliers to bring remarkable creative insight to its projects. Apart from working shoulder-to-shoulder with trusted contractors and tradespeople, DKAD maintains an excellent in-house design team to ensure that a client’s vision is executed accurately.
Daniel Kopec founded DKAD on his passion for craft and construction. He has accumulated over two decades of experience in the field, having led design teams in the New York offices of Perkins + Will and Guerin Glass Architects. Moreover, he worked on the World Trade Center Transit Hub during his tenure in the office of Santiago Calatrava and recently completed a two-year term on the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission. Daniel is a member of the AIA, and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
Daniel guided the team in breathing life back into this turn-of-the-century Craftsman-style home, a recipient of the Preservation Award from the Glen Ridge Historical Society. The residence was reconfigured into a brighter, enlivened space that promotes natural light and restores the integrity of the original design.
Oasis Architecture
312 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
The firm creates architecture that adds dignity and integrity to the streetscape while enhancing everyday life. Oasis Architecture makes it a point to understand the historic, physical, and cultural contexts of all its projects. The firm is well known for its thorough presentations to zoning boards, planning boards, and historic preservation commissions.
After 20 years of working in New York City architectural firms, Jonathan Perlstein founded Oasis Architecture in 1998. He has also served as a Commissioner at the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission and as Co-Chair of the Frenchtown Downtown Redevelopment Committee. Jonathan has consciously developed a diverse body of work with Oasis Architecture over the years, including the Washington Street Home.
This carriage house addition contains a family entry, garage, and loft areas. Full reconstruction and structural stabilization were completed for the back porch and kitchen areas in the main house. Exterior forms, textures, and details echo and reinforce the Italianate features of the existing dwelling. This addition was approved by the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission and featured—along with other Oasis Architecture projects— in the Taste of Glen Ridge tours. Contractor: Van Note Renovations.
GA Architecture
151 Washington Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
GA Architecture (GAA) provides comprehensive services in the disciplines of Architecture, Interior Design, and Project Management. The firm is often called upon to tackle projects with difficult site conditions or those which present unusual design solutions. Whether the project is large or small, the goal of GA Architecture is to properly and tastefully design the client’s new home, addition or upgrades to an existing space. The firm meets its clients in the convenience of their homes to work out the solutions that will best fit their lifestyle, and assists them in any direction they choose to go throughout the construction process.
Principal and Founder George Azrak Jr. has over 34 years of professional experience in architectural design and construction. As a long-term resident and business owner in Northern New Jersey, George understands the social and technical intricacies of the building process from initial client expectations to project completion. George and his team’s efforts have resulted in exquisitely designed homes such as the Benson Street Station.
This project is an adaptive reuse of a decommissioned train station sold for private use as a single-family residence. The goal of the project was to replicate the exterior faithfully to its original design while updating the home with modern amenities.
