by: AIA New York
New Hires and Promotions
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has named longtime racial justice advocate and public housing official Sideya Sherman as the Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission. Sherman most recently served as the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice under Mayor Eric Adams.
MBB Architects has announced the promotion of Tommy Kim to Associate. Since joining the firm in 2022, Kim has contributed to the successful design and management of projects for Ascend Public Charter Schools, Success Academy, Sutton Place Synagogue, and Martha Graham Dance Company, among other clients.
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners (BBB) has appointed Jennie Gwin, AIA, and Nathaniel Rogers, AIA, as the firm’s Directors of Historic Preservation.
Marvel has named Esteban de Backer as Partner and formally opened its Barcelona office, establishing Marvel’s first permanent location in Europe and expanding its international practice. De Backer is leading the office and directing the firm’s first European project (Les Tres Xemeneies—which will be featured as part of the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona).
Brad Zizmor and Derek Newby have been appointed to Perkins&Will‘s Board of Directors. Zizmor is a Managing Principal in the New York studio and co-founder of Architecture Plus Information (A+I), which merged with Perkins&Will in 2025. Newby joins the board after more than a decade with the firm. He serves as Managing Director of its Vancouver and Calgary studios and supports strategic growth and coordination across Canada.
At Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP Architects), Jennifer Yang, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has been promoted to Senior Associate, and Lara Caballero and Emily Sperber, AIA, LEED AP, have been promoted to Associate.
The Brooklyn Studio, an architecture and interior design firm specializing in the renovation and preservation of historic buildings, announced today the promotion of Jasper Crace to Senior Associate / Studio Leader.
Alex O’Briant, AIA, has joined architecture firm Steinberg Hart as a Partner in the New York office.
Honors and Awards
Cooper Hewitt has announced the winners of the 2026 National Design Awards. Launched in 2000 as an official project of the White House Millennium Council, the Awards celebrate excellence and leadership in design, recognizing the innovation and impact of individual designers and organizations across 10 categories. Awarded New York firms include Mattaforma, Emerging Designer, Frida Escobedo Studio, Architecture, and Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Interior Design.
COOKFOX Architects has been honored with the AIA New York State Firm Award. The Award has been given annually since 2005 and recognizes notable achievements in design, community service, education, and service to the profession by a New York State architectural firm.
Architectural Record‘s Deputy Editor Joann Gonchar has been honored with the AIA New York State 2025 President’s Award.
The Architectural League of New York has announced the winners of the 2026 Emerging Voices competition, including Brooklyn’s Bobby Johnston and Ruth Mandl, co-founders of CO Adaptive.