It is now an established tradition that for the first issue of each year, we at AN contact architects from New York City and the region and ask them a very sensitive question: Who are your favorite sources? Responses are decidedly mixed, and understandably so. There are those who for political reasons don’t wish to play favorites. And then there are those who hesitate to give competitors access to the best-loved secrets of their Rolodex.
The truth is that as with the fabled insiders of Wall Street who pass tips back and forth, this industry sharing can be mutually beneficial, especially in slow economic times. Why conceal a choice ornamental metalworker when you want them to still be in business the next time you need them?
Thankfully, most of you have proven more than willing—even excited—to share the contractors and consultants who have proven themselves capable of making your highest design goals a reality.
This year as with last, we focused our survey by targeting some of our favorite buildings completed in or near 2009. You will see many of the usual suspects—backbones of the industry as they are—but we have done our best to draw out new names. And for the first time ever we’ve included a section that focuses solely on sustainability. As always, you’ll find the crème de la crème, from a construction manager capable of assembling a team to build an entire city half the world away, to tiny custom fabrication shops in Brooklyn that will work with any material under the sun.
Produced by Aaron Seward
GENERAL CONTRACTING & CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
CONCRETE, MASONRY, STONE, AND TILE
