Robert Cohen Architect LLC

Background

Founded in 1990 by Robert Cohen, Robert Cohen Architect LLC is a full-service architectural and interior design firm based in Westport, Connecticut. The firm specializes in custom new constructions, renovations, and additions for single-family historic and modern homes. Their portfolio also includes commercial, cultural, institutional, and multi-family residential projects such as offices, restaurants, museums, schools, and cooperative apartment buildings. The firm's mission is to deliver effective, spirited architecture that resonates with the human spirit, integrating art, craft, and science in a holistic and contextual approach.

Key Strategic Focus

Robert Cohen Architect LLC emphasizes a collaborative design process tailored to each client's unique needs. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

Planning Services: Feasibility and market studies, strategic planning for facilities and relocation, site and building evaluation and selection, master planning, and urban design.

Design and Construction Services: Pre-design and programming, schematic design, design development, and construction documents.

Sustainable Design: Incorporating energy-efficient and environmentally responsible design principles to minimize environmental impact.

Environmental Graphic Design: Identity, signage, wayfinding, kiosks, mapping, and exhibitions.

Existing Condition Surveying: Building measurement services to produce accurate measured drawings of existing architectural conditions.

Interior and Exterior Design: Comprehensive design services for both interior and exterior spaces.

The firm is committed to delivering innovative solutions that are simple, clear, and precise, while being mindful of budgets and deadlines. They collaborate closely with owners and builders to optimize coordination, aesthetics, and function, avoiding repetitive value engineering, lengthy redesigns, and delays.

Financials and Funding

As a privately held firm, Robert Cohen Architect LLC does not publicly disclose its financial information or funding history.

Pipeline Development

The firm's current projects include unique residential designs, both new constructions and renovations, primarily in Southern Connecticut. They are also completing a center for dance study in Brooklyn, NY. Specific timelines and milestones for these projects are not publicly disclosed.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Robert Cohen Architect LLC employs an integrated design approach that allows for highly energy-efficient buildings, maximizing resources and user health while minimizing environmental impact. The firm is a member of Connecticut’s Green Building Council and is a Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Partner. They incorporate sustainable design features such as efficient use of energy and water resources, planning with minimal site impact, specifying recycled and recyclable materials, and optimizing daylight and ventilation.

Leadership Team

Robert Cohen, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
As the founder and principal, Robert Cohen brings over 25 years of experience to the firm. He is licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and is a registered interior designer in Connecticut. A graduate of The Cooper Union, Cohen gained extensive experience at renowned firms such as Edward Larrabee Barnes and Cossutta Associates, working on prestigious projects like Cityplace Center and the Armand Hammer Museum. He is dedicated to a limited number of projects at any one time, ensuring personal attention to every aspect of the project.

Leadership Changes

There are no recent significant changes or appointments within the company's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The architectural services industry is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a wide range of design and planning services. The market is influenced by factors such as economic conditions, technological advancements, and evolving client preferences towards sustainable and energy-efficient designs.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the region include:

DJ Fessenden Home Staging.com: Specializes in home staging and interior design services.

The House Designers: Offers a wide range of pre-designed house plans and customization services.

C + C Design Group, Inc: Provides architectural and interior design services for residential and commercial projects.

These competitors focus on various aspects of architectural and design services, catering to different client needs and preferences.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Robert Cohen Architect LLC has established partnerships with specialized consultants to achieve functional and technical design excellence. These include structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, acoustic, and environmental engineers; lighting, audio, visual, and security designers; kitchen and food service planners; landscape architects; net-zero and sustainable design consultants; historic districts and landmarks commission consultants; and code and governmental approvals specialists.

Operational Insights

The firm's commitment to a collaborative design process, sustainable practices, and personalized client attention distinguishes it in the competitive architectural services market. By focusing on a limited number of projects at a time, Robert Cohen Architect LLC ensures high-quality outcomes tailored to each client's unique needs.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Robert Cohen Architect LLC is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient architectural designs. By leveraging their expertise in integrated design and sustainable practices, the firm can expand its market presence and continue to deliver innovative solutions that resonate with clients' evolving preferences.