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firm profile

 
Founded in 1998, Calvert Wright Architecture | Spatial Discipline is a multidisciplinary New York City architectural design studio of eight professionals. In every project we strive to provide our clients with a service that is thorough and respectful of their concerns. In return, our clients have rewarded us with their unfailing loyalty. This year, 100% of our active projects are with repeat clients. While our reputation was established through our successful collaborations with a variety of creative private clients, over the past ten years we have actively pursued work with institutional clients whose projects are best served by our specific passions and expertise. The thoughtful design of research and learning spaces has become one of our core passions.


Calvert Wright is regularly invited to speak on the changing needs of 21st century students and the learning spaces that serve them. In 2017, Calvert was honored to deliver a presentation at the University of London titled “Future-proofing Through Programming”. Past conference presentations have included those for the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Maine Library Directors’ Forum and the LACUNY Institute.


We seek to design spaces that do more than meet functional requirements. We strive to create stimulating environments that are suited to the needs of the stakeholders and communities they serve. We are motivated by the belief that our efforts have significance, value and meaning in the communities where we work. It is especially fortifying when our contributions to the culture and life of a place are acknowledged to be truly expressive of a client’s mission. Now celebrating our 18th year, we have established a reputation for progressive, high quality designs with purpose.


Calvert Wright Architecture’s distinctive projects and personalized service are rooted in an in-depth understanding of our clients’ values and aspirations. We view design as a collaborative effort between client and architect and we have honed this design philosophy with a diverse range of project types. Our firm’s juxtaposition of private and public clients has resulted in a dynamic range of projects including student centers and model agencies, libraries and film production studios, multi-family residential developments and performance spaces. The common thread that weaves these projects together is their ability to inspire and improve the lives of the communities served by these spaces. We strive to produce architecture that transcends aesthetic or technical one-sidedness. We provide our clients with the tireless service and meticulous project management possible from an innovative, service-oriented, small design firm, while drawing on the rich depth of expertise provided through our regular collaboration with specialized sub-consultants. Our pride and expertise is design that serves our clients’ needs and meets their scheduling, budgetary and aesthetic goals.


Through this diversity of project types we have become particularly adept at managing complex, simultaneous projects for both public and private clients. While fulfilling our role as lead architect we are also facilitating the design process with stakeholders – many of whom have differing visions for their projects. With patience and generosity of spirit, we have always been able to bring stakeholders to consensus and arrive at conclusions that provide extraordinary benefit to diverse communities.


Our firm is led by Calvert Wright and supported by a team of architects, project managers, and administrative staff. Calvert received his Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and began his graduate architectural studies at Harvard University. Calvert received his Masters in Architecture from Princeton University and subsequently taught architectural design at Princeton and Cornell University. After receiving his graduate degree and prior to establishing his own company, Calvert developed a strong professional architectural training working with Rafael Viñoly Architects, Diller + Scofidio and 1100 Architect. Calvert Wright is an Architect licensed in the States of New York and Massachusetts. He is an active member of numerous professional associations including the American Institute of Architects, the Learning Space Collaboratory, the Society of College and University Planners, the US Green Building Council, the American Alliance of Museums, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). In 2013, shortly after completing renovations to the Cooperman Library at Hunter College, Calvert was honored to become the sole architect elected to the ACRL Building Resources Committee. As part of this committee, Calvert is a contributing author of their upcoming publication, “Academic Library Building Design: Resources for Planning”. Calvert was previously the author of an occasional column on architecture and design for Vitals magazine.


As a firm, Calvert Wright Architecture participates in the NYC ACE Mentor Program and is the recipient of numerous design awards. Our work is regularly published nationally and internationally. In 2016, we were honored to have two library projects selected for publication in the book, Best of Education and Culture Interior Design. Also in 2016 our firm was honored as one of twelve firms featured in the annual AIA Residential Review. In 2012 Calvert Wright Architecture received an AIA Excellence in Architecture Award and was published the book Best of Office Architecture and Design. Past publications include, The Inspired Retail Space by Corinna Dean and our work was featured on the NBC television series, “Open House New York” and featured in the BBC documentary series, “Superhomes.”