Paragon is a full-scale renovation and restoration project of the Paragon Oil building directly above Hunter’s Point station in LIC. The project called for a full gutting and interior fit out, as well as a new penthouse addition to the roof level.

A number of code restrictions made sculpting the form and designing for occupancy especially challenging. I was tasked with a variety of responsibilities during my year-and-a-half of commitment to Paragon. Zoning area calculations, occupancy studies, site surveying, architectural drawings from demolition to construction, consultant engagement to synchronize input of all trades (structural, envelope, and MEP engineers) to fit the design team’s intent, and construction administration to address problems in the field.

The project is situated directly above MTA line 7 and a subway station (it actually hosts an inoperable entrance to Hunter’s Point) and adjacent to the LIRR which created a number of code compliance issues and was a potent lesson in the potential complexities of politics in building design.

Model and drawings created using Autodesk REVIT 2016. Drawings executed with supervision by David Must, Kevin Hamlett, and Hsian Lin at STUDIOS Architecture NY. Renderings by Binyan.