ABOUT US
Shadow Architect, P.C. creates warm, modern designs in which materiality, light, and shadow take center stage. Founded by architect Larry Cohn, the studio takes pride in closely listening to and collaborating with clients, so that their needs – unique in scope, budget, and vision – lead the design process. Focused primarily on residential and commercial work in New York City and adjacent areas, the firm’s past commissions include apartment and house renovations, ground-up construction, loft conversions, restaurants, cafés, retail spaces, and offices, as well as furniture, lighting, and cabinetry design.
The firm’s name derives from an essay, “In Praise of Shadows,” by eminent Japanese novelist Jun’ichiro Tanizaki that principal Larry Cohn discovered early in his architectural studies. The essay explores how beauty is enhanced as materials weather, and people interact and respond to light and shadow. These themes became seeds for the establishment of Shadow Architect, P.C..
From inception to completion, our team remains engaged, responsive, and innovative, managing a project’s complexities and demands with resilient optimism. Wherever possible, we incorporate environmentally responsible design practices through the use of repurposed buildings, energy-efficient building systems, and sustainable materials.
Shadow Architect, P.C. continues to investigate materials and form, delivering elegant and visually engaging environments for living, working, dining, and retreating from the everyday.
LARRY COHN, R.A., LEED AP
Principal
Larry Cohn is a South African-born architect whose extensive work experience and love of design led to the creation of Shadow Architect, P.C. As a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Master’s program, he builds upon his theoretical training through specialized work with clients ranging from nationally recognized developers to first-time buyers and entrepreneurs. Cohn has completed projects in a number of New York City Landmark buildings and a LEED Silver home in Upstate New York. He is a registered architect in the state of New York and a LEED Accredited Professional. His work and understanding of how people use space continue to be informed by his travels over five continents.
RACHEL NEWTON
Senior Project Manager
After a ten-year career as a professional ballet dancer that took her to Pittsburgh, San Francisco and the Fort Worth-Dallas area, Rachel attended the Pratt School of Architecture in Brooklyn. There she received a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree with an Excellence in Design Award. She started her architectural career overseeing several residential projects and soon branched out into retail and hospitality work, including spearheading new retail experiences for the Anthropologie brand while at Elmslie Osler Architect (EOA). Before joining Shadow Architects, Rachel also developed additional residential and commercial projects through her own studio, including the conversion of a 5,000 square feet former brewery into an eco-friendly creative hub for a branding firm.
Rachel seeks simple and timeless solutions that are reflections of those who inhabit the space. She is committed to a process that gently restores the historic elements with sensitivity and responsibility, balancing old with new.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys photographing people on the NYC subways and designing and making metal jewelry.
ALEKS DIETRICHSON, R.A.
Project Architect
Aleks is a Norwegian born architect working and living in New York City. He began his journey to become an architect in Philadelphia, studying architecture at Temple University, where he took on many enticing projects that tested and proved his determination, ability and passion for design.
Since graduating with his Bachelor of Architecture degree, Aleks has gathered experience in Norway, and Pennsylvania and New York in the United States. He is continuously looking for ways to grow his knowledge and design work, and recently completed his exams to become a licensed architect. He firmly believes that the most successful projects have a strong concept that carries through from schematic design through construction, and pursues this in his work
Outside of his professional career, Aleks enjoys playing soccer and exploring art and architecture in the city and beyond, searching for future projects.
ESME SANG
Designer
Born in Chicago, then transplanting to the Pacific Northwest to study Social Geography and Environmental Design, Esme moved to New York in 2014 where she earned her Masters in Architecture from Pratt Institute. Since joining Shadow Architects In 2020, she has worked closely with clients to help develop pragmatic, compelling, human-centric design solutions. In addition to her architectural training, she has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry and focuses her design work on creating dependable, yet adaptable environments. She is currently working towards her architecture license and now calls New York City home.
Outside of the studio, Esme enjoys spending her time traveling, exploring the city, and photographing her handsome cat, Barry.
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Mascot
Photos of Larry & Aleks by George Billard