Washington Heights Multifamily Amenities Renovation

Washington Heights Multifamily Amenities Renovation

Rojas AP worked with the property owner to renovate the basement of this six-story apartment building located in Washington Heights. The scope of work included relocating the laundry room into the existing basement garage, converting the former laundry room into a new tenant storage room, and incorporating a new trash room into the basement lobby.

The design featured a glass partition and door at the laundry room entrance which provides tenants with clear visibility. To meet fire code requirements, a sprinkler deluge system was installed to protect both the glass assembly and the new dryer units. Rojas AP successfully navigated the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) predetermination process to remove parking from the garage and approve the change of use for the new laundry room and ensuring ADA accessibility and egress compliance was a key consideration throughout the redesign.

LOCATION
NEW YORK, NY

Astoria Two Family Renovation

Astoria Two-Family Renovation

Rojas AP led the interior renovation of a two-story brick residential building, transforming the space to include two new three-piece bathrooms and two laundry rooms. The scope involved full plumbing, electrical, and mechanical installations, along with carefully selected finishes to modernize and enhance the functionality of the home.

During construction, the team encountered persistent water infiltration caused by existing cracks in the building’s exterior façade. Rojas AP conducted a series of water tests to trace the source of the leaks and provided solutions that included lintel replacement, window sill repair, mortar repointing, and replacement of waterproofing seal gaskets. These exterior interventions required a Post Approval Amendment with the NYC Department of Buildings, which was successfully coordinated and filed by Rojas AP’s in-house team.

LOCATION
ASTORIA, NY

New Rochelle Facade Repair

NEW ROCHELLE Facade repair

Rojas AP led a 2.5-year facade rehabilitation project for a large coastal residential complex consisting of three interconnected buildings across three addresses. Our work included full design drawings, contractor bid preparation, walkthroughs, bid leveling, and comprehensive construction administration. The coastal location presented unique challenges, requiring careful detailing and the use of galvanized lintels and corrosionresistant materials to ensure long-term durability.

We performed swing-stage drops on each elevation to monitor progress and address field conditions, maintaining close coordination with the contractor and clear, consistent communication with ownership throughout the project. While the roof replacement was ultimately removed from the scope, we designed and coordinated parapet flashing installation to allow for seamless integration with future roofing work. We also provided cost and design comparisons for a full brick parapet rebuild versus a railing extension, helping the owner balance code compliance, aesthetics, and budget considerations.

This project reflects our firm’s ability to manage complex building envelope work in sensitive environments while supporting the client through every phase of decision-making and execution.

LOCATION
NEW ROCHELLE, NY

Far Rockaway Laundry Room

Far Rockaway Laundry Room

Rojas AP was engaged by the owner of this multi-building apartment complex in Far Rockaway to redesign an old laundry room located in the cellar of a cluster of three apartment buildings. The previous room had access through a solid door, as the partition between the hallway and laundry room requires a rated partition. Rojas AP was able to open up the laundry room with a glass door and glass wall by adding a sprinkler deluge system to maintain the fire rating. This design allows for a safe and pleasant experience for tenants using the laundry facilities. The tenants have good visibility in and out of the room. The rear of the washing machines were meticulously piped to a covered trench drain to maintain a clean and sanitary maintenance area. Similarly the rear of the dryers was designed with ample space for maintenance access. Tenants are provided with seating, baskets and a folding table for their convenience.

LOCATION
QUEENS, NY

Williamsburg Facade Repair

Wiiliamsburg Facade Repair

Rojas AP was tasked with addressing the ongoing leaks originating from the east and north facades for the six-story residential building located in Williamsburg. Because of the limited budget, Rojas AP took an unusual approach to the bidding process by including all applicable scope items in the bid form and drawings. The scope was only defined after the general contractor was awarded for the job and value engineering was done by Rojas AP to meet the target amount. The final facade repair scope prioritized addressing the leaks with proper flashing at leaking windows. Once demolition of the bricks at each window begin, Rojas AP was surprised to observe that not only the existing windows lacked any flashing, but the exterior wall had cavities around steel that did not allow for a typical waterproofing detail. Rojas AP issued an alternate flashing detail, directing the contractor to fill cavities with non-shrink precision grout in plastic state and parging existing concrete areas with grout to create a smooth surface for the self-adhered flashing application.

LOCATION
BROOKLYN, NY

University Heights Facade Repair

University Heights Facade Repair

Rojas AP was hired to prepare FISP Filing and Facade Repair Drawings with the Department of Buildings to address SWARMP conditions on a residential building in the Bronx. Our strategy involved filing a basic Facade Repair Scope based on identified repair locations outlined in the Cycle 8 FISP Report. Close-up inspections using pipe scaffolding were conducted in accordance with LL11 (Local Law 11) standards. The repairs included brick repointing, removing and replacing sealants at coping joints, and crack repairs to the existing concrete balconies. Throughout the project, Rojas AP conducted site visits to monitor construction progress. During these inspections, it became clear that the conditions of the existing balconies were significantly worse. The worsening conditions were caused by water ingress into the balcony at the balcony railing posts. Rojas AP filed a Post Approval Amendement (PAA) to incorporate the additional work and updated details for balcony repair. Rojas AP collaborated with the contractor, property owner, and manufacturer representatives to ensure the use of appropriate materials essential to completing the project. Upon completion of the project, Rojas AP submitted a subsequent FISP report to update the filing status to SAFE, indicating compliance with regulatory standards and the successful completion of the necessary repairs.

LOCATION
BRONX, NY

Upper East Side Residential Interior

Upper East Side Residential Interior

Rojas AP was hired by the owners to facilitate a code-compliant design and streamline the approvals process for their two-bedroom renovation. The firm was charged with coordination for the Coop Board, Landmarks Preservation Committee, and NYC DOB and supervising construction through sign-offs. The team coordinated with the design firm BHDM to ensure code and building compliance through architectural solutions. For instance, the owners did not want the washer and dryer to be accessed through the kitchen, but the wet over dry requirements constrained its location to the kitchen footprint. Rojas AP creatively located the washer and dryer in the kitchen area, but rotated its opening 180 degrees, for access from an adjacent utility room. During construction, a challenge arose involving a shared party wall that when exposed by demolition, was found to not be properly constructed. Rojas AP coordinated with the building’s consultant and provided SK drawings to propose a four-inch aerated concrete block wall. This alternative guaranteed the two rooms a rated exterior wall.

LOCATION
NEW YORK, NY

Architect of Record for High End Residential Apartment

Architect of Record for High End Residential Apartment

Rojas AP was engaged as the architect of record for an exceptional interior renovation project in a prestigious unit located within a high-end residential complex in Rye, NY. The scope of work encompasses a wide range of enhancements, including fixture and appliance replacements, as well as the installation of new finishes and lighting. We assumed primary responsibility for securing necessary approvals from the board and the Rye Building Department, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. The initiation of the board review posed significant challenges due to the recent construction of the apartment complex and the absence of established guidelines and protocols for alterations. Nevertheless, our team expertly navigated these obstacles to move the project forward successfully. To streamline communication and enhance organization, Rojas AP has implemented an efficient project board on Monday.com. This dynamic platform serves as a centralized hub, meticulously organizing all project specifications and submittals. By utilizing this innovative tool, we facilitate transparent collaboration and keep all stakeholders informed throughout the duration of the project. Rojas AP is proud to be entrusted with the architectural record for this prestigious interior renovation project. With a focus on obtaining necessary approvals and leveraging our expertise in high-end residential design, we are dedicated to bringing forth a truly remarkable transformation and efficient execution from start to finish.

LOCATION
WESTCHESTER, NY