Our Services

Office-to-Residential Conversions

One of LKC’s largest projects is a 244-unit, high-rise, office-to-residential conversion in Lower Manhattan. We are well-versed in the 467-m tax abatement which incentivizes office-to-residential conversions.

Because 467-m mandates that 25% of the units in a conversion be below-market-rate, conversions offer a means of housing production that includes affordability, with a much lower carbon footprint than new builds. Not to mention that, architecturally, you often get far more character with conversions than with new builds!

Affordable Housing & HPD-Funded Retrofits

LKC Principal, Brad Leibin, has led the design and construction of numerous affordable housing developments in New York City and California. His expertise includes family affordable housing and supportive housing.

We are extremely experienced with the design guidelines and review processes of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) as well as NYC Department of Housing & Preservation (HPD). LKC is leading multiple HPD-funded retrofits in New York City including “Year-15” projects.

Market Rate Housing

LKC Principals Brad Leibin and George Kontaroudis have designed large-scale, mixed-use multifamily developments comprising thousands of homes. This includes mid-rise and high-rise buildings with concrete superstructures (Construction Type I) as well as hybrid wood-framing-over-podium buildings (Type III & Type V). We have deep experience with the 485-x tax abatement and newer zoning incentives associated with City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, such as the Universal Affordability Preference (UAP). We have also led market rate developments with Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) requirements.

Renovations

LKC helps homeowners reimagine their existing spaces to add value and better suit their needs. Our goal is to create wonderful, functional spaces that our clients love, within their budget. We tailor the level of service to the needs of each project, offering architecture, interior design, and expediting to create a smooth and seamless process from design to permitting to construction. We are skilled at obtaining approvals from Co-op Boards and Homeowners Associations (HOAs), as well as the Department of Buildings (DOB).

New Construction & Additions

In addition to renovations, LKC designs new, ground-up custom homes as well as additions to existing homes. Additions and new construction offer greater flexibility and optionality to our clients. However, they come with added complexity in terms of regulatory constraints, structural design, building services, and envelope. These types of projects typically require robust consultant teams including Structural and MEP Engineers; LKC will assembly and oversee a qualified consultant team.

Ancillary Dwelling Units (ADUs)

LKC is at the cutting edge of the roll-out of ADUs in NYC, which were recently legalized. ADUs allow an additional dwelling unit to be added to a property as-of-right. They can take several forms including attached (additions), detached, attic conversion, garage conversion, or basement conversion. As of fall 2026, the firm has three active ADUs including two detached, rear-yard ADUs in Queens and a cellar ADU in Manhattan. We are proud to be a pre-qualified vendor in the Plus One ADU Program, which provides low interest loans and grants towards ADUs for income-qualified homeowners in NYC. LKC has deep knowledge of the new NYC Building Code Appendix U as well as ADU-friendly zoning adjustments that were rolled out as part of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.

LKC routinely works with both large and small commercial property owners in NYC on office fit-outs for new lease-ups. We provide test fits and interior visualizations for potential tenants, then obtain permit approvals and provide construction phase administration. We are well versed in the regulatory requirements including work in landmarked buildings.

Energy Efficient Design & Passive House

Sustainability underpins LKC’s design practice. We champion Passive House and all-electric principles for their predictability, simplicity, and proven ability to reduce energy use, improve air quality, and enhance comfort. Every material, assembly, and system choice reflects a high-quality, low-impact ethos.

Both Principals are Certified Passive House Designers and George Kontaroudis Vice Chair of New York Passive House. George brings extensive knowledge of energy efficient design principals for both new construction and building retrofits.

We at LKC believe that the most sustainable unit of energy is the one not used.

Passive House Modelling

We offer Passive House energy modelling services under PHI and Phius for certification or building optimization.

While full Passive House, including certification, is not appropriate for every project, principals of Passive House design are always valuable to consider. LKC tailors the specific sustainability approach of each project to the goals of our clients regardless of whether or not it is a Passive House.

Energy Codes

The NYC Energy Code is complex and routinely evolving. This can have major cost implications for projects. LKC is skilled at helping our clients navigate the latest (2025) NYC Energy Code.

Deep Energy Retrofits

Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings creates unique challenges that are not present when designing a new building from scratch. Careful decisions need to be made about which existing systems to maintain and which to replace. Additionally, improvements to the thermal envelope require careful detailing to preserve existing exterior aesthetics while upgrading performance. In addition to our technical expertise in deep energy retrofits, LKC helps clients navigate the HPD preservation program as well as NYSERDA and other funding opportunities for deep energy retrofits.

Local Law 97

Local Law 97 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction) is the centerpiece of the 2019 NYC Climate Mobilization Act legislation, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. There are steep fines for both new and existing buildings that do not comply. LKC knows this legislation inside-and-out, having consulted multifamily and commercial office property owners with compliance reporting for Local Law 97.

Materials

Part of the work we do for our projects is identifying interior materials that are healthy with low to zero VOCs. In addition, and depending on the project, we work in reducing the embodied carbon of our projects through design and through material selections.

We specialize in innovative forms of construction to expedite construction and save cost including prefabrication. Prefabrication can take different forms such as panelized or modular. With panelized, prefabricated wall components are flat-packed and then erected on-site to form three-dimensional volumes. With modular, three-dimensional boxes are shipped to site and stacked together like Lego blocks.

Modular offers an incredible amount of efficiency and quality control if done correctly. This is because the bulk of the construction work occurs in the controlled factory setting. Modular boxes can be shipped to the site with all interior finishes, fixtures, and equipment pre-installed.

LKC Principal Brad Leibin has designed multiple modular multifamily buildings as well as a boutique modular hotel (while with David Baker Architects) which was completed in 2022.

We believe that community processes make projects better. So, we listen. Our goal with each project is to be responsive to the unique constraints and opportunities of the site, as well as the needs and desires of the populations we serve. Transparency and clear communication are of utmost importance.

LKC specializes in community design charrettes to engage stakeholders in project visioning and design. We use a variety of techniques including group conversations, site tours, and precedent boards.

When appropriate, we employ more robust forms of engagement such as post-occupancy evaluation (POE). POE is a form of community engagement that seeks feedback from past projects to inform future designs. In addition to site evaluation walks, the POE process gleans information from the residents, building managers, and other stakeholders who have occupied or operated prior, completed projects.

Feasibility & Conceptual Studies / Zoning Analysis

LKC can help visualize the possibilities for a new building by taking into consideration zoning, building code, and other technical requirements.  We can rapidly develop detailed zoning analyses, 3-D massing options, conceptual floor plans, and area takeoffs to help our clients understand the development potential of a site.

Public Review (ULURP and ELURP)

The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is NYC’s process for approving changes to land use rules. This process includes a lengthy review process which includes the local Community Board, the Borough President, the City Planning Commission (CPC), and the City Council. It typically takes around 7 months. Following a City Charter amendment in late 2025, there is now a faster rezoning process known as the Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) that can be utilized for minor changes to the zoning or projects that meet affordability and resiliency criteria. ELURP cuts the process down to around 90 days. LKC can help successfully navigate ULURP and ELURP.

Interior Design

We offer in-house interior design services to ensure that the furniture, millwork, fixtures, and equipment selections are in-line with the architectural and aesthetic vision of each project.

Pro Bono Commitment

LKC is proudly committed to donating 1%-to-3% of its annual billable hours (or at least one project per year), on a pro bono basis, to non-profits whose work benefits our local community.