Business Details
26 Years
experience
Innovative Architecture & Design Solutions in New York
Founded in 2000 by Adam Weintraub and Mishi Hosono, KOKO Architecture + Design is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and product design. Our philosophy centers on the transformative power of play, which informs our approach to residential, commercial, and educational projects. With expertise in early childhood spaces, we create environments that foster creativity and learning through interactive design. Our team brings international experience from Tokyo to New York, combining cultural insights with technical excellence. Recognized with awards such as the AIA Playhouse Design Competition Peoples Choice Award, we balance innovation with practicality across global projects.As educators and community advocates, we share our knowledge through lectures and workshops at institutions like the Cooper Hewitt Museum and New York Institute of Technology. Our portfolio spans continents, from Taipei to Detroit, reflecting our commitment to context-driven solutions. With licenses in multiple states and countries, we maintain rigorous professional standards while pushing design boundaries. Our work has been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum and featured in prominent design publications, underscoring our industry leadership.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Design
Children's Spaces
Interior Design
Educational Facilities
Product Design
Urban Design
Playground Design
Museum Spaces
Furniture Design
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer 24 years of experience in play-inspired architectural design
- Our team includes licensed architects with international project expertise
- We specialize in creating award-winning children's learning environments
- Our firm maintains active teaching roles at New York Institute of Technology
- We combine product design innovation with architectural practice
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects
What people say
Playful creativity
Award-winning designs
Child-centered approach
International expertise
Educational value
Services
Residential Architecture
We create innovative residential spaces that blend functionality with artistic expression. Our approach focuses on maximizing livability while incorporating playful design elements that reflect homeowners' personalities. Projects range from single-family homes like the Byrd Dangle Residence to urban apartments, all emphasizing spatial creativity and material innovation. Our team ensures each home becomes a unique expression of its inhabitants while maintaining technical excellence in construction and sustainability.
Children's Spaces
Specializing in early childhood environments, we design spaces that stimulate learning through play. Our portfolio includes preschools, playgrounds, and educational facilities that balance safety with creative exploration. The Flor da Manh Preschool and Kaleidoscope Nursery School demonstrate our ability to create environments that foster cognitive development through color, texture, and interactive elements. We incorporate developmental psychology principles to shape spaces that grow with children.
Commercial Design
We transform commercial environments into dynamic workspaces that enhance productivity and brand identity. From the More North Gallery to the Jut Showroom, our designs balance aesthetics with practical functionality. Our approach considers workflow optimization while maintaining visual appeal through custom furniture integration and innovative spatial planning. Each project reflects the client's unique business needs while adhering to strict building codes and accessibility standards.
Product Design
Our design philosophy extends to creating functional art pieces like the Cloud Chair and KOKO Pencil Cup. These products emerge from architectural principles, ensuring each item solves spatial challenges while maintaining aesthetic coherence. The designs often originate from elements tested in larger projects, creating a seamless connection between object and environment. This cross-disciplinary approach allows us to address design problems at multiple scales.
Educational Facilities
We specialize in creating inspiring learning environments that adapt to evolving educational needs. Projects like the School of Rock facilities and Iridescent Science Studio incorporate flexible layouts that support different teaching methods. Our designs prioritize natural light, acoustics, and modular furniture arrangements to create spaces that enhance both student engagement and teacher effectiveness while maintaining strict safety regulations.
People
Adam Weintraub
Co-Founder & Architect
Harvard-educated architect with expertise in child development spaces. Combines environmental design with psychology to create interactive environments. Teaches Urban Design at NYIT since 2010. Holds licenses in New York and Illinois.
Mishi Hosono
Co-Founder & Architect
Tokyo-born architect with international experience across five continents. Focuses on multicultural design approaches. Licensed in New York and teaches at NYIT. Member of AIA with expertise in children's spatial behavior and color theory.
Eiko Sakai
Senior Associate
Tokyo University graduate with Guggenheim-exhibited digital drawings. Translated architectural texts for Noguchi Museum. Former Frank Gehry designer who helped develop Walt Disney Concert Hall plans. Expert in digital visualization techniques.
Maasa Miyazaki
Project Manager
Former law professional turned architect with Keio University background. Masters in Architecture from Harvard. Specializes in spatial interaction through play. Contributed to international architecture publications while working in Tokyo, Spain, and New York.
Florence Warner
Project Architect
University of Michigan graduate with global experience across four continents. Multilingual designer fluent in five languages. Expertise in material studies and housing for diverse demographics. Brings cross-cultural perspectives from work in Tokyo to Denmark.
Questions
What makes KOKO's architectural approach unique?
Our design philosophy centers on play as a fundamental element that informs all projects, creating spaces that balance functionality with creative exploration.
Do you specialize in specific building types?
We focus on residential, educational, and commercial projects with particular expertise in children's spaces and interactive environments.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in New York, we complete projects globally, with completed work in the US, Taiwan, Japan, and Mozambique.
Can you handle both architecture and interior design?
Yes, we provide comprehensive design services covering architecture, interior design, and custom furniture creation for cohesive environments.
Are your architects licensed professionals?
Our team includes licensed architects in multiple US states and countries with extensive international project experience.
Do you offer design lectures or workshops?
We regularly conduct design workshops and lectures at institutions like the Cooper Hewitt Museum and NYIT as part of our community engagement.
