We design timeless homes built for life.
Transforming apartments and townhouses across New York City into finely crafted, deeply functional residences designed around the way you actually live.
RI ARCHITECTURE, NEW YORK
— The Studio
Architecture and interior design, woven into one.
We work with homeowners in Manhattan and Brooklyn who are reimagining high-end apartments or townhouses. Not to move on, but to settle in. Our clients are investing in a home that works around their lives, their families, and the way they actually use space.
We bring architecture and interiors together as one integrated process. The result is a home that feels coherent from the floor plan to the finish, not assembled from different visions.
Rami Idlby, AIAFounder and Principal Architect
—Selected Work
A study in livable craft.
Sutton Place Residence
A classic Sutton Place residence reimagined for long, layered living. Saturated, library-like rooms anchored by East River light. Rooms that hold both quiet mornings and full houses.
Manhattan / Prewar Apartment
—Study with Custom Desk
— Furniture by RIA
Drawn for the room. Built for the hand.
Where it serves the room, we design furniture in-house. The study's leather-clad desk was drawn to the inch of its alcove, with brass pulls and hand-stitched edges. Architecture and the objects within it are conceived as one piece of work.
—Primary Bedroom
— Desk · Drawer Detail
— Desk · Edge & Pull
Residence on Fifth Avenue
A redesign of the daily-use rooms of a prewar Fifth Avenue home. Each bath is conceived as a distinct moment, paired with a kitchen built for ease and longevity.
Kitchen
Primary Bathroom
Powder Room
Guest Bathroom
A method shaped by how you actually live.
— How We Work
i.
Designed Around the Daily
Every project begins with a questionnaire and a site visit. We watch how the rooms are used, then rethink the layout around how the family lives, works, entertains, and ages in place, rather than how the space was originally divided.
ii.
One Studio, One Vision
Architecture, interior design, and custom furniture move as a single discipline inside our studio. One team, one set of drawings, one coherent point of view. The result is a home that reads as whole, without the friction of coordinating multiple firms.
iii.
Clarity Before Commitment
We produce distinct design options, each scoped and priced, so you can see your choices clearly before committing to anything. No surprises mid-project. You choose the direction that works best for your vision and your budget.
— Client Voices
“Rami helped with all aspects of the renovation, from initial design through sourcing trades and supplies. He was also available throughout the project to troubleshoot and resolve questions as they arose. Rami is personable, professional, and very knowledgeable about NYC rules and regulations. The result of his work is beautiful, and I also have so much storage!"
— D. N. / Manhattan“I hired Rami for two separate projects. Both to redesign apartments that were laid out poorly in the 70s. He took the time to draw and redesign our plans several times to meet our expectations precisely, always proposing ingenious designs and materials. A great professional and great to work with.”
— T. S. / Manhattan“Working with Rami of RI Architecture was a real pleasure. His knowledge of accessibility within a multi-unit complex was invaluable to this project.”
— J. G. / ManhattanProject Resources
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NYC Apartment Renovation Guide
Rushing to the construction before completing research and analysis is the #1 cause of budget overruns. This guide reveals the seven biggest mistakes people make during apartment renovations and how to avoid them.
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How to Add a Home Office to Your Apartment
Discover layout tips that make the most of any space, from full rooms to hidden desk setups.
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Navigate NYC Apartment Permitting
Acquiring the permits from local authorities is a crucial step in any apartment renovation project. The time it takes to obtain these permits can vary significantly and have a significant impact on the overall timeline of your renovation.
Start the Conversation.
Talk about the home you intend to stay in. We will read every word, then propose a way forward.