Doban Architecture is an
award-winning, woman-owned, Brooklyn-based architectural firm focused on educational, residential, and economic development projects at a range of scales for both public and private clients. Founded by Susan G. Doban, AIA and co-led by Geoffrey Doban, AIA, the firm is dedicated to design solutions for better living, learning and community. Through a series of initiatives, the firm focuses on critical design topics of our time with the goal of advancing projects and discourse in the public domain.
Diversity of Perspective
Openness to diverse perspectives and innovative is at the heart of our collaborative spirit and is inherent to our Brooklyn roots. Our workplace ethos supports open dialogue and participation. Throughout our design process, ideas borne of diverse individual, cultural, and generational
perspectives inform each other as much as ideas which stem from different professional viewpoints.
Design Philosophy and Process
Doban Architecture brings the spirit of design thinking, which blends inquiry, mental agility, teamwork, and persistence, to all we do at every scale. We believe in listening, caring, earnestness, and humor to foster and cultivate the trust and communication channels that are necessary for a successful project.
With that collaborative outlook, our designs then evolve from a thorough understanding of the function, user, and constraints of the project, rather than from preconceived dogmas. We believe that the best design is a reflection of client and user needs and vision, blended with carefully considered technical and budgetary requirements. We welcome the client’s signature in the work, be it the reflection of an institution’s mission, the hopes and aspirations of a community, or the interest and passions of a residential client.
Services
We are architects, interior designers, furniture and product designers. Our services range from feasibility studies and master planning, to all traditional phases of architectural and design services from pre-schematic design through construction phase services. We regularly develop design standards and brand identity as components of our projects.
Initiatives
As part of our practice, the firm pursues focused initiatives that blend design research and exploration.
Our ongoing Main Street Equity Initiativ seeks to transform today’s urban main streets into places of equity, justice, meaning and vibrance through a system of welcoming, transforming and mobile dividers that help adaptively re-use urban streets.
Team
Susan Doban, AIA President
As founding principal of the firm, Susan leads collaborative design teams on projects of wide-ranging scales and types. She brings the rigor and discipline of her architectural experience to creating design solutions which respond to human needs and aspirations. Her varied projects from mixed-use buildings to adaptive re-use and smaller scale intervention’s– for New Rochelle’s Main Street and its Monroe College campus, have contributed to the on-going evolution of the city’s downtown. Her commitment to working with other small business owners has led to involvement with neighborhood catalyst projects in Brooklyn, and to working with Business Improvement Districts and small business owners throughout the region. She has led the team on more than 85 capital improvement projects for the New York City School Construction Authority, which has deepened her understanding of building systems and educational facilities and the many communities of the five boroughs.
Susan earned her Master of Architecture from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University. She leads the affiliated multidisciplinary design studio, Think Fabricate.
sdoban@dobanarchitecture.com
GEOFFREY Doban, AIA Vice-President
Geoff brings close to 30 years experience in program development, design, management and construction of large-scale and complex projects to the firm, having served as a partner at Gruzen Samton for six years before its acquisition by IBI Group. His portfolio includes multi-million dollar projects—both public and private—that have advanced the science and art of planning and designing education facilities. He currently plays a leadership role in Doban Architecture’s K-12 and higher education school projects. A natural educator himself, he enjoys mentoring our team members at all levels.
Geoff was IBI Group/Gruzen Samton’s Partner-in-Charge for the recently completed Abraham Joshua Heschel School, a new $80 million LEED Gold certified independent school on New York City’s Upper West Side.
Geoff earned his Master of Architecture from Columbia University and his Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis
gdoban@dobanarchitecture.com
Jacqueline Smith Project Manager
jmsith@dobanarchitecture.com
William Hovland, AIASenior Project Architect
whovland@dobanarchitecture.com