Biography

Sharing his youth geographically on the Northeast and Midwest, Tom’s foundation was developed through the exposure to art, engineering and musical theatre at birth paved the way for his passion in music, theatre, art and architecture.  Having constructed tree houses in the Great Swamp of NJ, Tom was one of the original “DIY” team members without even having knowledge of such talent.  To this day, Tom still wears his tool belt part time.  The night before Tom married his wife Lisa, Tom’s father gave him a picture he had drawn of his first custom home at the age of three.  Between the long dog days of summer and drawing custom houses at the age of three, it was evident then that he was on a path in architecture, design, construction and some form of the performing arts.  Tom’s wife Lisa framed the piece and it is displayed proudly in their home among their art collection.

Tom attended Syracuse University where he earned his Bachelors of Architecture degree.  Tom got his feet wet in the industry working as a laborer during some summers for a design build company. He continued his education in Florence Italy as well as other various visual art programs in the New York tri-state area, concentrating primarily on painting and drawing.  Tom has a desire to continue learning and expanding his knowledge of art, materials, design and construction.  This passion brought him to Manhattan where he has lived for the past 17 years.  He has injected himself in the Chelsea, West Village and just recently Hudson Heights neighborhoods with his wife Lisa and 6 year old daughter Ella where they are surrounding by an art community.  Strolling the Chelsea neighborhood with Ella through various galleries is one of Tom’s favorite quality time moments with Ella.

From tree houses to a variety of interior types, private residential transformations or new residential developments, Tom is a seasoned designer and project manager with over nineteen years of experience, equipped with versatility in design and construction.  Tom has collaborated on projects for Fortune 500 companies, multiple financial companies, small businesses, non-profit organizations, retail spaces, showrooms, fitness centers, private residences and real estate development, he brings a well rounded skills set and proven track record of project success.  Tom has a knack for efficient planning, designing, detailing and managing  projects, staff, consultants, vendors and contractors, which is complimented by his technical knowledge of construction, quality consciousness, problem solving and computer skills.  Thoughts of renovations are always churning. 

Having a keen awareness of personal and professional requests for a new space and surrounding, as well as the personal psychological hurdles during projects, colleagues, friends and family have constantly reminded him how he uses every cubic inch of some of the most expensive real estate in the world. 

One of Tom’s primary design goals it to create a space that lifts the person to their maximum capability to improve life, no mater what age, from an infant to a seasoned veteran in life.   From Tom’s 550 square foot shoe box apartment in NYC to one of the most prestigious residential high-rise buildings in NYC, he has transformed it.  To paraphrase Emma Lazarus’ inspirational poem, “send me your tired spaces, poor designs, huddled masses yearning to breathe free for a new aesthetic.”   

Kind Regards,

Thomas Dorhout