Start with the drawings, not the guesswork
Rockzen Construction coordinates architecture services across all five boroughs of New York City. A registered architect of record prepares and seals every drawing set. Work covers residential architecture, commercial architecture, renovation, new construction, and permit drawings. Filings run through the New York City Department of Buildings. Fees start at a flat rate for permit drawings only.
Get your project drawn, sealed, and filed. Call for a free 20 minute scope review. You will learn your filing type and your timeline. No cost, no commitment.
Architecture services convert a building idea into sealed drawings and an approved permit. A registered architect prepares floor plans, elevations, sections, and specifications. The architect confirms building code compliance and zoning compliance. The drawing set then goes to the New York City Department of Buildings for review. Construction begins only after approval.
Architect, interior designer, and draftsman:
An architect holds a state license and seals drawings. An interior designer plans layout, finishes, lighting, and furniture. A draftsman produces drawings but cannot seal them. Only the architect carries legal responsibility for code compliance.
Registered architect in New York State:
A registered architect passed the Architect Registration Examination. The New York State Education Department issues the license. The seal on a drawing set carries legal weight. Unsealed drawings will not clear plan examination.
Architect of record:
The architect of record signs and seals the submitted set. This person answers every objection from plan examination. The seal cannot be borrowed or shared between professionals.
Rockzen USA Construction coordinates fourteen architecture service groups across New York City. A registered architect of record seals every drawing set. Coverage runs from concept design through final sign off. Residential, commercial, renovation, and new construction form the four primary groups. Compliance, visualization, and construction services support all four.
We design detailed 2D floor plans, elevations, sections, and architectural drawings. These serve both residential and commercial projects. Our construction ready documents help with design, renovations, permits, and contractor coordination in NYC.
Bring your project to life with 3D architectural modeling and photorealistic renderings. Rockzen makes clear visualizations for exteriors, interiors, and concepts. These help homeowners, developers, and architects review designs confidently before building in New York City.
Rockzen prepares coordinated MEP drawings that integrate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems with your architectural plans. Our detailed documentation helps streamline DOB approvals, construction coordination, and code compliant building projects in New York.
Simplify the approval process with our DOB NOW submissions and permit filing services. We prepare and submit accurate architectural documents, drawings, and applications to help residential and commercial projects comply with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) requirements.
Experience your project before construction with virtual walkthroughs and immersive VR presentations. Our interactive architectural visualizations allow clients to explore layouts, finishes, and design details, helping make informed decisions and reducing costly revisions for projects across NYC.
Interior architecture handles every element inside the sealed shell.
The process runs five phases in fixed order. Each phase produces a deliverable the owner approves first. Skipping a phase creates rejections later. Rockzen Construction runs every project through all five phases. The sequence matches American Institute of Architects standard practice.
01.
A surveyor measures the existing building. The architect draws current conditions in Computer Aided Design programs. This drawing becomes the legal baseline for every later sheet.
02.
The design architect produces concept plans and a massing study. Zoning limits get tested at this point. Owners choose a direction before money moves.
03.
The project architect refines plans, elevations, and sections. Structural and systems coordination begins here. Material selections lock in before documentation.
04.
The architect produces the sealed drawing set. Drawings go to the Department of Buildings through the online filing portal. Plan examination then begins.
05.
Asphalt receives final roller passes producing smooth, uniform grade meeting drainage slope specifications. Concrete receives a broom finish texture providing the required slip resistance. Workers install expansion joints at concrete panel intervals to accommodate thermal movement.
Architect fees follow three models in New York City. Permit drawings only carry a flat fee. Renovations and new construction carry a percentage of construction cost. Consultations bill hourly. Percentage fees fall as project size rises. The table gives current ranges by project type.
| Project Type | Fee Model | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Permit drawings only | Flat fee | Request quote |
| Apartment renovation | Percentage of construction cost | 8 to 12% |
| Brownstone gut renovation | Percentage of construction cost | 10 to 15% |
| Commercial fit out | Flat fee or percentage | 6 to 10% |
| New construction | Percentage of construction cost | 10 to 15% |
| Consultation | Hourly | Request rate |
Design duration and approval duration run on separate clocks. Design runs on owner decisions. Approval runs on agency queues. Owners who blend the two set impossible schedules. Landmark review adds the largest single delay. The table splits every stage apart.
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Survey to schematic design | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Schematic to construction documents | 4 to 10 weeks |
| Department of Buildings plan examination | 4 to 12 weeks |
| Landmarks Preservation Commission review | Adds 8 to 16 weeks |
| Permit issuance after approval | 1 to 2 weeks |
Local Law 97 caps carbon emissions for buildings over 25,000 square feet. Fines apply per metric ton above the cap. Compliance work often means envelope upgrades and systems replacement. Architects model the options before each deadline. Early planning costs far less than penalties.
Energy modeling
Energy modeling predicts emissions under each design option. The model shows which upgrade earns its cost. This work runs during design development.
LEED certification and Passive House
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification rates performance against a point scale. Passive House targets extreme envelope efficiency. Both paths reduce Local Law 97 exposure.
Yes, when the renovation touches structure, egress, plumbing runs, or occupancy. No, when the work stays cosmetic and moves nothing. A kitchen refresh in place needs no filing. A wall removal always does.
Yes. The architect of record files the sealed set directly. Objections from plan examination return to the architect. Owners never need to appear in person for standard filings.
Plan examination runs 4 to 12 weeks on most filings. Landmarked buildings add 8 to 16 weeks of Landmarks Preservation Commission review. Permit issuance follows approval within 1 to 2 weeks.
An architect holds a state license and seals drawings. An interior designer plans finishes, layout, lighting, and furniture. Only the architect carries code responsibility. Most gut renovations use both professionals.
Permit drawings carry a flat fee based on scope and square footage. Simple Alteration Type 2 sets cost the least. Occupancy changes cost more because zoning analysis expands. Request a written quote for exact pricing.
Yes, through construction administration. The architect visits the site, answers information requests, and reviews shop drawings. A construction manager runs the schedule and trades separately.
Yes. Landmarks Preservation Commission approval requires professionally prepared drawings. Facade, window, and roof changes all trigger review. Approval must precede the Department of Buildings filing.
You need a structural engineer whenever loads change. Wall removals, new openings, and added floors all qualify. The engineer seals structural sheets alongside the architect set.
Yes. Zoning analysis happens before schematic design. Floor area ratio, setbacks, and yard rules get tested first. This step prevents designs that cannot legally be built.
Yes. Rockzen Construction coordinates the architect of record and the build. One contract covers design, filing, and construction. Owners hold a single point of accountability.
No, not usually. A landscape architect designs grading, planting, and outdoor lighting. The architect coordinates that work into the filing. Roof decks and terraces need both professionals.
Rockzen USA is a trusted New York City construction company specializing in sidewalk repair, sidewalk violation removal, architecture, facade restoration, roofing, masonry, concrete, waterproofing, and exterior restoration.
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