Over the past 20 years, the studio has become the catalyst for the revitalization of two art districts in New York, designing and building over 30 galleries in Chelsea and Tribeca, where the office has emerged as the unofficial planner of New York City’s new arts district growing between Walker Street and White Street.
studioMDA has also worked with large developers and has performed zoning analysis for potential sites and projects across Manhattan.
Working closely with Related Companies, the office has studied the second phase of Hudson Yards, west side lots in Chelsea and Midtown as well as areas of Brooklyn.
Working closely with gallery clients to design their booths has added a very important scale to the portfolio of the office, providing a deeper understanding on circulation, lighting and the way art is viewed at its most optimal environment.
Before starting studioMDA, Markus Dochantschi ran the office of Zaha Hadid Architects for seven years and was Head Project Manager on the Rosenthal Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati.