Following our previous visit to Obra Architects, we are using the first 2025 edition of our Meet Your Next Employer series to explore the work of MBB Architects.
A women-owned architecture firm based in New York City, the studio’s 25-strong team includes architects, planners, sustainability specialists, and interior designers. The firm describes its mission as “to design beautiful, responsive,e and meaningful environments to enrich people’s lives and shape a sustainable future."
Over on Archinect Jobs, the firm is currently hiring for several positions to join their New York City team. For candidates interested in applying for a position or anybody interested in learning more about the firm’s output, we have rounded up five unique projects in the city by MBB Architects that exemplify the firm’s ethos.
Trinity Church Wall Street underwent a six-year transformation led by MBB, reactivating the historic 1840s structure and its surroundings. According to the team, the project prioritized worship, music, and sustainability, incorporating accessibility, lighting, acoustics, and infrastructure enhancements. A collaborative research process with the church community also shaped a phased master plan addressing deferred maintenance and modern needs.
Key upgrades included quieter, energy-efficient mechanical systems and protective glazing, enhancing the sanctuary’s acoustics for richer sound experiences. The churchyard and terraces were improved with accessible bluestone paths and a steel-and-glass canopy for liturgical processions, blending functionality with the church’s humanistic values.
MBB Architects led a decade-long, $175-million restoration of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, blending preservation and sustainable upgrades. The award-winning project upgraded one of New York’s most iconic landmarks while maintaining daily operations for masses and accommodating five million annual visitors.
The restoration preserved historic elements such as marble, slate, metalwork, plaster, woodwork, cast stone, and stained glass. Modern enhancements include new glass doors at the Fifth Avenue entrance and the integration of a cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system. Landscape improvements introduced hidden infrastructure alongside redesigned gardens and terraces.
MBB expanded Grace Church School in New York City with a 14,000-square-foot addition, featuring a double-height gymnasium and athletic center. The new top-floor structure seeks to seamlessly integrate with the existing building, offering multipurpose spaces for sports, academic activities, and school-wide events. Floating acoustic slabs minimize noise transmission to classrooms below, ensuring a quiet learning environment.
The design incorporates natural light through skylights and large windows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The arched steel roof encloses open areas for team sports and gatherings, while additional spaces include offices, locker rooms, storage, and a fitness center. The material palette of glass, wood, and steel complements the school’s original architecture and interiors.
PS 41 in Greenwich Village hosts the first green roof of its kind in New York City. Named the Greenroof Environmental Literacy Laboratory (GELL), the outdoor classroom enhances thermal performance and fosters environmental education. The 15,000-square-foot roof supports urban sustainability awareness, environmental stewardship, and farm-to-table learning for students.
The eastern section features an observational learning space with walkways, gathering areas, solar panels, and a weather station, while the western section provides habitats for wildlife such as birds, bats, and butterflies. Beyond its educational purpose, the roof benefits the community by adding greenery, improving air quality, and reducing the urban heat island effect, stormwater runoff, and carbon footprint.
To support the growing needs of its 1,700-family congregation, MBB transformed Park Avenue Synagogue into an educational and community hub. A comprehensive plan expanded the campus, fostering community, spiritual development, and celebrating the synagogue’s cultural and historical legacy.
The renovated six-story building features a formal double-height entry to the historic sanctuary and informal gathering areas. A new minyan chapel, designed for daily prayer, serves as a sculptural centerpiece in the lobby, with intricate wood and metal cladding inspired by the sanctuary’s ark. The resulting campus seeks to reflect a balance of tradition and innovation.
Meet Your Next Employer is one of a number of ongoing weekly series showcasing the opportunities available on our industry-leading job board. Our Job Highlights series looks at intriguing and topical employment opportunities currently available on Archinect Jobs, while our weekly roundups curate job opportunities by location, career level, and job description.
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