M a k e M a k e

Make + Make = Good design makes you comfortable. Great design makes you curious. We design places where the experience is slightly exaggerated, because that is where memory begins.

Hotel for One A meditation cube. A simple structure of wood and stone creates a protected inner womb, a quiet space for reflection within nature. Wellness real estate is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global wellness economy. The market has grown from $225B in 2019 to more than $550B today and is projected to exceed $1T within the next decade. Hospitality and residential environments are increasingly designed around wellbeing through connection to nature, indoor–outdoor living, natural materials, bathing rituals, and spaces for stillness.

A civic courtyard designed as climate infrastructure. The project reinterprets the traditional Mediterranean courtyard as a contemporary public room shaded, planted, and open to movement throughout the day.

We are currently working on an exciting ground-up 150-key hotel development in Peekskill. The project is progressing with strong political alignment and meaningful community support, positioning it well for long-term success.

Join us this Thursday, October 30th at 6.15 pm at Pratt School of Architecture for the Biennale Pre-launch event. The evening will feature a presentation by Omar Degan, curator of the Biennale, followed by a response from Yetunde Olaiya, and presentations by Ifeoma Ebo, Mark Gardner, and Gary Bates. @ifeoma_ebo @degan_omar @gigajellyroll @makemake.nyc #prattsoa #panafricanbiennale

CLARION HOTEL — TRONDHEIM @clariontrondheim In 2025, hotels are more than check-ins and beds — they’re public spaces in disguise. At Clarion Trondheim, we designed not just for guests, but for the city around it. This hotel challenges the old idea of the "atrium-as-monument" and replaces it with something richer: a layered, three-dimensional social landscape that shifts depending on where you stand. No two rooms look out the same way. No two visitors have the same experience. The Lobby becomes the real heart — a transitional zone where travelers, locals, and city energy blend. It frames the harbor, the fjord, the park — not as backdrops, but as part of the guest experience. Hotels today must do more — they must host conversations, hold communities, and remain open to the cities they live in. This one does. #MakeMakeStudio #HotelAsCivicSpace #ClarionTrondheim #PostLuxuryDesign #FjordsideLiving #HospitalityForNow #NordicUrbanism #NextGenHotels#HospitalityDesign #HotelArchitecture #DesignHotels #BoutiqueHotelDesign #HotelConcept #HotelExperience #NextGenHospitality #LuxuryHotelDesign #ModernHospitality #HotelInnovation #HospitalitySpaces #GuestExperienceDesign#ArchitectureWithPurpose #PublicArchitecture #MakeWithNotFor

Reimagining Affordable Housing: Bridging Academia, Advocacy & Practice Too often, the conversation around affordable housing happens in silos. But on March 12 at FXCollaborative, something different took shape—a rare but critical evening where academics, advocates, and practitioners came together to discuss how we can restructure affordable housing in our city. A huge thank you to the Pratt GALAUD students and an incredible panel: Sam Alison-Mayne @tankhouse_transfer @tankhouse , Nicole Vlado Torres, AIA, NOMA noma , Dylan Baker-Rice @dbakerrice , Gary Bates, RA, and Alexandra Barker @alexandrabarker FAIA @faiamedia , LEED AP . Special recognition to the curators and organizerswho made it happen: Wendi Shafran, AIA, LEED AP, Stephanie Bayard, Erich Schoenenberger, and Michael Syracuse, AIA, LEED AP. And of course, project credits to Noah Spivak and Selina Yan. At Make Make,we believe in the power of collaboration to drive real change. Let’s keep the conversation going. #AffordableHousing #UrbanDesign #HousingEquity #Collaboration #MakeMake

INCEPTION: Anna Bates at Virginia Tech Last week Anna Bates, had the privilege of leading a thought-provoking discussion at Virginia Tech @vtarchschool on the art of making versus designing — a concept she explores deeply in her book, Inception. The conversation centered on how true innovation in architecture is born from embracing urbanity, community building, reusability, and risk-taking — all with a focus on designing for humanity. At MakeMake, we believe in the importance of highlighting the process of making as the key to creating spaces that go beyond mere functionality. This philosophy is evident in projects like Zuzeum, a cultural hub, and Tandy House in Harlem, a community-centered initiative. Each space reflects our world while inspiring new ways to shape it. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this dialogue. Together, we can build a future where design centers around people and their stories. 🌍 #InceptionLecture #InceptionBook #MakeMakeArchitects #ArchitectureForChange #SustainableDesign #AdaptiveReuse #CommunityBuilding #AnnaBates #DesignForTheFuture #VirginiaTech #CreativeSpaces #architecturalvision

As a designer working across North America, my passion lies in shaping the future of hospitality. I’m fascinated by how our habits are evolving, how human behavior is shifting, and how we can design spaces that not only respond to these changes but also champion sustainability and the circular economy. The hospitality industry is on the brink of transformation, and I’m here to explore what’s next. How can we create spaces that are not just beautiful but also sustainable and adaptable to the needs of tomorrow’s travelers? How does the circular economy influence our design choices, and how can we integrate these principles into every project? Join me on this journey as we delve into the opportunities and challenges that are redefining hospitality. #MakeMakeNYC #HawaiianHeritage #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalPreservation #Honolulu #HotelDesign #PacificArchitecture #HawaiiLife #ArchitectureLovers #FutureOfHospitality #CircularEconomy #EcoFriendlyDesign #DesignInnovation #CulturalPreservation #SustainableTravel #DesignInspiration #CreativeDesign #LuxuryHotels #HospitalityTrends #InteriorDesign #SustainabilityMatters #EcoLuxury #DesignExcellence #TravelInStyle #PacificDesign #GreenArchitecture #ConsciousDesign #ResponsibleTravel #DesignForGood

We want to disrupt the development industry by changing the conversation from affordable housing to affordable living. Our proposal for Tandy House repurposes a historical building on the park slated for demolition, suspends a tower of modular components (by Assembly) over its publicly accessible roof, and incorporates a sinus-curved, terracotta facade that gives shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Every home is on a corner, securing views to the park. Thanks Büro Ehring (If you don’t know, now you know!)

In a building with celebs (we never met), we designed, gutted, and built a 3000 sq.ft. apartment in Battery Park. A marriage of European design quality with America spaciousness. Built in Latvia, shipped and assembled in New York City.

Last month, Gary and Anna Bates of MAKE MAKE delivered a lecture titled "Inception" at Pratt Institute School of Architecture. The lecture explored the collective work of MAKE MAKE through the lens of humanity, disruption, and wisdom. MAKE MAKE believes that architecture is not just about building structures, but about creating spaces that nurture the human spirit. We challenge the traditional notion of a singular creative force, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and diversity in the design process. . . . @prattsoa @prattinstitute #architecture #interiordesign #makemake