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Legacy

Throughout our history we have created a legacy of notable projects for clients and communities around the world.

1945

In 1945 Max O. Urbahn founded the partnership that would become Urbahn Architects.

Maximillian Otto Urbahn
Maximillian Otto Urbahn (1948)
Rippowam High School, Stamford, CT
Rippowam High School, Stamford, CT

1950s

During the 1950s, operating as Urbahn Brayton & Burrows Architects, the firm designed over a dozen public schools to help meet Baby Boom demands.

Riverdale High School
Riverdale Jr. High School No 141, Bronx, NY
Lemoore Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA (1959)
Lemoore Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA (1959)

The 1950s also saw a series of commissions from several branches of the US Department of Defense to prepare master plans and designs for military bases around the world. 

1960s

Urbahn rose to prominence in the 1960s with large scale developments that received international recognition.

Leadership in the late 1960’s included Marty Stein, Max Urbahn, Phil Moyer, Robert Healy and Karl Justin.
Leadership in the late 1960s included Martin Stein, Max Urbahn, Phil Moyer, Robert Healy and Karl Justin.
VAB & Launch Complex
John F Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL

Urbahn led a four firm consortium, URSAM, to plan and design multiple projects to support the Apollo Moon Mission, including the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Control Center and the Orbiter Processing Facility.

In 1963, Martin Stein hired as a “temp” to lead the Apollo Mission Launch Control Building design.

NASA Launch Control Center and Vertical Assembly Building(VAB), Cape Kennedy, FL (1963)
NASA Launch Control Center and Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Cape Kennedy, FL (1966)
Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, Bronx, NY (1967) designed by Urbahn Architects
Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, Bronx, NY (1967)

In 1969, Martin Stein promoted to Director of Design.

1970s

During the 1970s, Urbahn undertook increasingly significant projects involving community buildings, research centers, healthcare facilities, and large-scale systems planning.

FDR Post Office and Office Tower, New York, NY (1970)
FDR Post Office and Office Tower, Manhattan, NY (1970)
Max
Maximillian Otto Urbahn (1968)

Max was inaugurated as the 48th AIA President on December 1970. 

The Robert Wilson Research Headquarters Tower at FermiLab has been hailed as a “Cathedral of Science.”

Robert Wilson Hall at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL (1973)
Robert Wilson Hall at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL (1973)
Nassau County Medical Center, Dynamic Care Building, East Meadows, NY (1973)
Nassau County Medical Center, Dynamic Care Building, East Meadow, NY (1973)
Saudi Fund for Development Headquarters designed by Urbahn Architects
Saudi Fund for Development Headquarters, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1977)
National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Labs
National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Labs, Upton, NY (1981)

1980s

 Max Urbahn retired and Martin Stein became Urbahn’s President and CEO. Under Marty’s leadership the firm’s portfolio grew to to include multiple projects for Brookhaven National Labs, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Urbahn Architects welcomes future principals Rafael Stein, Natale Barranco, and Donald Henry.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Headquarters, Research Triangle Park, NC (1982)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Headquarters, Research Triangle Park, NC (1982)
August 18, 2014 - New York, NY: The Manhattan Detention Center at 125 White Street, also known as the Tombs.
Manhattan Detention Complex North Tower, Manhattan, NY (1988)

During the 80s, Urbahn entered the justice facility market, leading to a humane and community oriented correctional facilities design practice that continues to this day.

 Our master plan and infrastructure design of Fort Drum stands at one of the largest single construction project in the history of the New York District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Fort Drum Military Complex Master Plan
Fort Drum 10th Mountain Light Infantry Division Master Plan, Watertown, NY
US Courthouse Old Foley Square
Historic renovation of Thurgood Marshall US Courthouse, New York, NY (1992)

1990s

Urbahn welcomes future principal Ranabir Sengupta.

In 1997 Urbahn restructures, with Rafael Stein, Natale Barranco, and Donald Henry taking equity positions in the firm. 

NYC Transit Rapid Transit Operations, Crewquarters Building at Ditmars Boulevard Station, Astoria, NY (1995)
NYC Transit Rapid Transit Operations, Crewquarters Building at Ditmars Boulevard Station, Astoria, NY (1995)
Montclair State University Science Hall, Upper Montclair, NJ (1999)
Montclair State University Science Hall, Upper Montclair, NJ (1999)

Urbahn’s contributions to the higher education sector are exemplified by a series of major science and research buildings at multiple college campuses.

2000s

 Urbahns’ portfolio grows increasingly diverse with numerous projects from new and repeat clients.

The College of New Jersey Science Complex, Ewing, NJ (2003)
The College of New Jersey Science Complex, Ewing, NJ (2003)
Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street Station, Manhattan, NY (2005)
Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street Station, Manhattan, NY (2005)

Urbahn’s higher education practice thrives with increasingly specialized academic and science building designs, encompassing both flexible generic laboratories and one-of-a-kind research facilities.

Heavy Engineering & Material Science Building at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (2008)

Heavy Engineering & Material Science Building at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY (2008)

Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, NY
Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg, NY

2010s

Urbahn designed the first of a new generation of children’s psychiatric hospitals focusing on the child and family education programs.

  Urbahn fully embraced sustainability and resiliency in our design philosophy, office practices, and corporate culture.

Jersey City Municipal Services Center, Jersey City, NJ (2013)
Jersey City Municipal Services Complex, Jersey City, NJ (2014)

SUNY Farmingdale School of Biz 9061 med
New School of Business at Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY (2015)

In 2017 Ranabir Sengupta becomes Associate Principal. 

In 2019 Engineering News Record NY recognized the firm as Best Design Firm of the Year.

Urbahn 2019 ENR NY Design Firm of the Year 01 med_edit
Urbahn Architects team accepting ENR award
Urbahn Architects Team

Today

Celebrating over 75 years in business, Urbahn’s principals continue to nurture a diverse and vibrant practice while cultivating the next generation of leadership.