Discover ACD&E Group, a trusted religious building architect and community project architect NYC expert, creating meaningful, sustainable spaces for all!

Design that uplifts. Spaces that unite. Architecture with a purpose.
Every community has a heartbeat. Every congregation has a story. Every neighborhood holds the potential to grow, gather, and thrive.
At ACD&E Group, we design spaces that make that possible.
We’re not just architects. We’re listeners, collaborators, and advocates for the people who make our cities vibrant. From faith-based institutions to community centers and nonprofit headquarters, we turn ideas into inspiring, functional environments where people connect, heal, learn, and grow.
Our work as community project architects in NYC and religious building architects in NYC is about creating places that feel human. Spaces that carry light, purpose, and soul.






New York is alive, complex, and always changing. To design for it, you need more than technical skill. You need empathy, creativity, and strategy.
That’s why our process begins long before the first sketch. We listen to you, to the people you serve, and to the rhythm of the neighborhood you’re part of.
Our goal is simple: to design buildings that reflect your mission and amplify your impact.
Whether you’re building a new church, expanding a nonprofit facility, or planning a community hub, we make sure your project becomes a lasting symbol of connection and care.
At ACD&E Group, we combine architecture, design, and expediting into one streamlined service. We handle every step, from early planning and funding coordination to permits and construction oversight. That means less stress for you and more focus on what really matters: your community.
We partner with people who serve others:
If your vision involves uplifting people, supporting local growth, or providing essential services, we’re here to make it real.
Designing for faith-based communities requires a balance of reverence and practicality. You want a space that inspires devotion but also supports modern-day ministry and outreach.
Our team understands that sacred architecture is deeply personal. It’s not just about walls and ceilings. It’s about what those walls hold: the laughter of children, the comfort of prayer, the energy of shared belief.
We approach every religious project with sensitivity and collaboration. We work with congregations to define what sacred means to them today, and we design accordingly.
That might mean reimagining a historic church for contemporary worship. It might mean adding flexible community spaces or integrating sustainability features into a synagogue renovation. It might mean designing a completely new sanctuary from the ground up.
Whatever your vision, we make sure your space feels timeless, grounded, and welcoming to all.
Great design looks beautiful, but it also has to work.
We combine creative vision with deep technical expertise to make sure your building performs flawlessly for decades to come.
As your community project architect in NYC, we handle every practical aspect:
Our in-house expediting team is one of the reasons clients choose us. Navigating New York’s regulatory landscape can be tough. We make it smooth. Our relationships with city agencies and boards allow us to move projects forward efficiently without sacrificing design quality or compliance.
So while we handle the complexity, you can stay focused on your mission.
Every project we design is an opportunity to care for the planet and the people who inhabit it.
Our work incorporates advanced sustainability principles that help organizations reduce operating costs, improve occupant health, and protect the environment.
We design for:
We believe that sustainable design should feel seamless, not forced. When done right, it enhances the building's experience while quietly benefiting the world outside.
Because the spaces where people gather to worship, learn, or heal should also nurture the earth we all share.
When we talk about community architecture, we’re really talking about people.
Our buildings are designed to spark connection: to invite conversation in a lobby flooded with light, to create comfort in a quiet reading nook, or to make a gathering hall feel alive with energy.
We design with inclusivity at the core. That means accessibility for every ability, flexible spaces for evolving needs, and materials that feel both dignified and durable.
We believe that beauty is not a luxury. It’s a sign of respect for the people who use the space. Good design says, “You matter.”
From serene chapels to bustling youth centers, our projects are built to nurture a sense of belonging.
The best ideas don’t come from one person. They come from collaboration.
Our process brings together architects, planners, engineers, city officials, and most importantly, you. We create space for open dialogue, design workshops, and community engagement sessions so every voice can be heard.
This approach ensures that the final design truly represents the people it serves. It also creates smoother approvals, stronger community support, and long-term satisfaction.
When you work with ACD&E, you’re not just hiring architects. You’re gaining partners who care deeply about your mission and the people behind it.
Every project starts with a conversation. We listen carefully to your goals, your challenges, and your dreams. Then we build a plan that brings those ideas to life efficiently and creatively.
Our full-service process includes:
We believe transparency is power. Throughout the process, we keep communication clear, consistent, and proactive. No surprises. No confusion. Just progress.
New York City is one of the most diverse places on earth. Every community has its own traditions, rhythms, and aesthetics.
Our role as architects is to honor that diversity.
Whether it’s incorporating cultural symbolism into a religious building or using local materials that reflect the character of a neighborhood, we design with context and care.
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter architecture. Every project tells its own story, shaped by its people, its history, and its hopes for the future.
That’s what gives our work its authenticity and emotional power.
Buildings affect how people feel, think, and interact. We take that seriously.
Our projects are designed to promote well-being through thoughtful layout, natural light, air quality, and sensory comfort. We incorporate features that encourage movement, mindfulness, and community connection.
For faith-based spaces, this might mean crafting acoustics that enhance prayer and music. For nonprofits, it might mean designing staff spaces that reduce burnout and promote collaboration.
Healthy environments create healthy people, and that’s the ultimate measure of design success.
Our projects across New York City have helped transform how communities live and work together. We’ve designed affordable housing developments, senior centers, community facilities, and religious institutions that not only meet the needs of today but anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.
Each project strengthens the city’s social fabric. Each space becomes a platform for connection, education, and hope.
Our clients choose us because we deliver more than design; we deliver transformation.
Designing for communities is about more than blueprints. It’s about building spaces that foster trust, belonging, and legacy.
As your community project architect in NYC and religious building architect in NYC, ACD&E Group approaches each project with respect for its people and purpose. We don’t design to impress; we design to uplift.
Every project we take on, whether for a church architect NYC, a synagogue architect NYC, or a community center architect NYC, is an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
We see architecture as a tool for social good; one that unites design excellence with compassion, sustainability, and long-term impact.
When a building reflects the soul of its community, something powerful happens.
People gather, collaborate, and celebrate their shared identity. They feel seen and supported.
Our architecture captures that feeling. Whether we’re designing a neighborhood resource center or a spiritual sanctuary, we focus on spaces that encourage participation and pride.
From accessible entrances to flexible seating layouts and daylight-filled gathering areas, every design decision is intentional.
We understand that each community space has multiple lives. A hall might host worship one day, a town hall the next, and a holiday meal that weekend. That’s why our architecture is adaptable and designed to evolve as your programs do.
What sets ACD&E apart is the combination of creativity, technical mastery, and in-depth knowledge of New York’s building systems.
We are not just designers. We are problem-solvers who navigate zoning, DOB approvals, and community project expediting in NYC with confidence and care.
Our in-house expediting expertise gives you a major advantage. We understand how to move projects smoothly through city agencies, avoiding unnecessary delays. This is especially valuable for nonprofits, religious groups, and community organizations managing tight timelines or public funding.
We know how to balance aesthetic aspirations with budget realities — without ever sacrificing quality or meaning.
When you work with ACD&E, you get a partner who understands that every design decision must serve your mission, your finances, and your future.





It’s not a title we give ourselves; it’s what our clients tell us.
Our success as a commercial and community architecture firm in NYC comes from one simple philosophy: we care deeply.
We listen to what matters most to you. We study your site, your operations, and your community relationships. Then we design solutions that enhance how you serve people.
It’s why congregations, nonprofits, and developers alike return to ACD&E Group again and again.
They know that when they work with us, they get:
If you’re looking for the best community project architects in NYC, you’ve found your team.
Faith-based architecture is more than a design challenge; it’s a calling.
Whether we’re designing for a church architect NYC or a synagogue architect NYC, our mission is to create sacred environments that nurture reflection, fellowship, and outreach.
Each project starts with understanding your community’s traditions, rituals, and aspirations. We then translate that into design elements that communicate meaning and connection.
Some of our clients seek a space rooted in historic beauty. Others prefer a modern, minimal aesthetic. We can honor both and create environments that feel authentic and timeless.
We focus on materials that convey warmth and strength, light that enhances spirituality, and layouts that encourage both intimacy and openness.
And because many congregations today serve multiple functions, we also design with flexibility. We integrate classrooms, counseling rooms, kitchens, and multipurpose halls into cohesive, welcoming campuses.
Your space should be as dynamic as your ministry.
Whether you’re a nonprofit, a religious institution, or a developer with a social vision, your mission drives our work.
We design buildings that tell your story, embody your values, and elevate your impact.
Our approach begins with empathy. We immerse ourselves in your culture and the community you serve, understanding what challenges you face and what dreams you’re building toward.
Then we align architecture with purpose. From the entry sequence to the materials, light, and acoustics, every feature is chosen to reinforce your mission.
When your building feels like a physical expression of your values, it becomes more than just a facility. It becomes part of your legacy.
Sustainability is embedded in everything we do.
From affordable housing to non-profit building design in NYC, we integrate energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible materials that reduce both operational costs and ecological impact.
Our sustainable design strategies include:
We believe that good design should be kind to people, to communities, and to the planet.
When you walk into a community space, you can feel when it’s been designed with care.
The light hits just right. The materials feel honest and solid. The acoustics make conversation easy.
We obsess over those details, not just for aesthetics, but because they affect how people experience the space.
Whether it’s the warmth of reclaimed wood in a chapel or the openness of a glass façade in a community lobby, we design with intention.
Your building’s details should echo your story and the lives lived within it.
One of the most important aspects of bringing any community or faith-based project to life is managing the process behind the scenes.
Our team offers comprehensive community project expediting in NYC, taking care of every permit, approval, and documentation requirement with precision.
We coordinate directly with the Department of Buildings, the Fire Department, and other city agencies to make sure your project advances without unnecessary obstacles.
Our clients rely on us to keep things moving so they can focus on fundraising, programming, and serving their communities.
That’s the peace of mind ACD&E provides.
Community projects succeed when everyone feels heard.
That’s why collaboration isn’t just a stage in our process, it’s our culture.
We build relationships, not just buildings. We invite stakeholders, congregations, and neighborhood leaders to participate in design workshops and charrettes, turning complex visions into shared realities.
By keeping communication open and transparent, we ensure that every project feels owned by the community it serves.
Because the best buildings aren’t just built for people — they’re built with them.
Working with ACD&E Group means having a partner who believes in your mission as much as you do.
We understand the passion that drives nonprofits and faith-based organizations. We know how hard you work to make a difference.
Our role is to give that mission a home: a physical space that strengthens your outreach, expands your capacity, and energizes your team.
From idea to occupancy, we’re with you.
Here’s what makes us the best community and religious building architects in NYC:
Our work stands at the intersection of heart and strategy, a place where inspiration meets execution.
If you’re looking for a team that can translate your vision into a meaningful, functional, and sustainable space, ACD&E is your trusted ally.