F I R M P R O F I L E
CGA STUDIO aka CHRISTINA GRIFFIN ARCHITECT PC, is an award-winning architectural design firm providing innovative, timeless and uplifting design throughout the Hudson Valley for the past 31 years. The firm has extensive experience creating thoughtful design within the residential, commercial and public sectors, with a recent focus on sustainability and net zero energy projects.
We are a civic-minded firm known for community projects including a nature center, a library park, a school playground, downtown plazas, a firehouse extension, and affordable housing. CGA Studio was awarded an AIA Design Award in 2016 for “Pocket Change Communities,” a model living collective based on conservation of energy and the environment, and making use of local farming to support the new community. In 2017, CGA Studio was awarded an AIA Design Award for a site development and feasibility study for “Sugar Pond Nature Center” located in Hillside Woods in Hastings-on-Hudson.
The firm has experience with renovation and extension of historical buildings throughout Westchester County. Recent projects include renovation/extension to one of the Sugar Houses, circa 1850, originally built for the managers of the sugar factories in Hastings-on-Hudson, and renovations to the original cottage at the Draper Estate, circa 1800.
The design professionals at CGA Studio work in a studio environment, and include architects and interior designers, two with LEED AP (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) credentials, who all share a passion for design. The firm has a reputation for visual beauty and creativity in our work. Characteristic themes include light and airy interiors, gracious proportions, integrated indoor and outdoor spaces, and a sensitive balance of architectural structure and materials with the surrounding environment. Our designs seek to elevate the quality of life, whether in creating a welcoming communal space, a comfortable and serene living area, or an assembly of dramatic architectural forms.
Our design philosophy is a team approach that begins with a general design concept and feasibility study developed in close communication with the client, with clearly defined design objectives and budget in mind. The project evolves as we develop the design drawings, and later construction documents, and add a level of detail and material specifications necessary for a successful project. With CGA Studio at the helm, the general contractor joins our design professional and client team during the construction phase, as we work towards achieving a high standard of aesthetics, function, and construction.
CGA Studio specializes in sustainable and eco-friendly designs, and has the distinction of designing the River Town House in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, which received the first Platinum LEED for Homes certification in Westchester in 2009, and a Westchester/Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award in 2010. The firm designed the first LEED for Homes certified project in the City of White Plains, which earned a gold rating from the USGBC (US Green Building Council), and won a Westchester/Hudson Valley A.I.A. 2013 Design Award, a HOBI (Home Builder's Association of Connecticut) 2012 Award for the Best Energy Efficient Green Remodel, and a Westchester Magazine 2014 Renovation of the Year Design Award. Christina Griffin is president and co-founder of the not-for-profit Center for Sustainable Development since 2013, which has energy workshops at the office of CGA Studio, to provide a think tank for architects, engineers, and contractors to explore ways to build and promote environmentally sensitive buildings.
CGA STUDIO aka CHRISTINA GRIFFIN ARCHITECT PC, is an award-winning architectural design firm providing innovative, timeless and uplifting design throughout the Hudson Valley for the past 31 years. The firm has extensive experience creating thoughtful design within the residential, commercial and public sectors, with a recent focus on sustainability and net zero energy projects.
We are a civic-minded firm known for community projects including a nature center, a library park, a school playground, downtown plazas, a firehouse extension, and affordable housing. CGA Studio was awarded an AIA Design Award in 2016 for “Pocket Change Communities,” a model living collective based on conservation of energy and the environment, and making use of local farming to support the new community. In 2017, CGA Studio was awarded an AIA Design Award for a site development and feasibility study for “Sugar Pond Nature Center” located in Hillside Woods in Hastings-on-Hudson.
The firm has experience with renovation and extension of historical buildings throughout Westchester County. Recent projects include renovation/extension to one of the Sugar Houses, circa 1850, originally built for the managers of the sugar factories in Hastings-on-Hudson, and renovations to the original cottage at the Draper Estate, circa 1800.
The design professionals at CGA Studio work in a studio environment, and include architects and interior designers, two with LEED AP (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) credentials, who all share a passion for design. The firm has a reputation for visual beauty and creativity in our work. Characteristic themes include light and airy interiors, gracious proportions, integrated indoor and outdoor spaces, and a sensitive balance of architectural structure and materials with the surrounding environment. Our designs seek to elevate the quality of life, whether in creating a welcoming communal space, a comfortable and serene living area, or an assembly of dramatic architectural forms.
Our design philosophy is a team approach that begins with a general design concept and feasibility study developed in close communication with the client, with clearly defined design objectives and budget in mind. The project evolves as we develop the design drawings, and later construction documents, and add a level of detail and material specifications necessary for a successful project. With CGA Studio at the helm, the general contractor joins our design professional and client team during the construction phase, as we work towards achieving a high standard of aesthetics, function, and construction.
CGA Studio specializes in sustainable and eco-friendly designs, and has the distinction of designing the River Town House in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, which received the first Platinum LEED for Homes certification in Westchester in 2009, and a Westchester/Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award in 2010. The firm designed the first LEED for Homes certified project in the City of White Plains, which earned a gold rating from the USGBC (US Green Building Council), and won a Westchester/Hudson Valley A.I.A. 2013 Design Award, a HOBI (Home Builder's Association of Connecticut) 2012 Award for the Best Energy Efficient Green Remodel, and a Westchester Magazine 2014 Renovation of the Year Design Award. Christina Griffin is president and co-founder of the not-for-profit Center for Sustainable Development since 2013, which has energy workshops at the office of CGA Studio, to provide a think tank for architects, engineers, and contractors to explore ways to build and promote environmentally sensitive buildings.
P R I N C I P A L A R C H I T E C T
CHRISTINA GRIFFIN AIA LEED AP APB+C CPHC
Christina Griffin has been a registered architect with the State of New York since 1985, studying at the Architectural Association of London and receiving a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University in 1979. She founded Christina Griffin Architect PC in 1988, aka CGA Studio in 2018. She is a leader in the design and building community, actively promoting inspirational and sustainable construction in Westchester County.
Her achievements include:
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
RECENT HONORS / AWARDS
CHRISTINA GRIFFIN AIA LEED AP APB+C CPHC
Christina Griffin has been a registered architect with the State of New York since 1985, studying at the Architectural Association of London and receiving a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University in 1979. She founded Christina Griffin Architect PC in 1988, aka CGA Studio in 2018. She is a leader in the design and building community, actively promoting inspirational and sustainable construction in Westchester County.
Her achievements include:
- Passive House Institute United States (PHIUS) certification, 2012; Member of Hudson Valley Passive House, 2014
- Member of Hastings Green Building Code Committee, writing the Green Building Code for the village of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, adopted in 2013
- Development of the AIA Sustainable Design Database with AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley, which won the AIA NYS Empire State Challenge in 2011
- Chairperson of the Hastings Design Guidelines Committee, and co-writer of the Hastings Design Guidelines for the commercial district in the Village of Hastings-on Hudson, adopted in 2011
- LEED AP (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation, 2009
- Received the first Platinum LEED for Homes certification in Westchester, 2009
- President of the Center for Sustainable Development, a non-for-profit organization to promote ideas and strategies to raise the level of sustainability in the built environment
- Co-founder of the Green Building Professional Consortium, a development company to build and promote environmentally conscious buildings
- Member of the Hastings Land Use Committee
- Member of the Hastings Affordable Housing Committee
- Chairperson for the Hastings Architectural Review Board, 1996-2007
- Former board member of the Westchester Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, designing the first Habitat affordable housing project in Westchester
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Westchester + Hudson Valley
- US Green Building Council
- Passive House Institute United States (PHIUS)
- Passive House Institute (PHI)
- Passive House Hudson Valley
- Center for Sustainable Development, Co-Founder and President
- Green Building Professional Consortium, Co-Founder
RECENT HONORS / AWARDS
- 2017 Westchester / Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award – Broadway Flats, Dobbs Ferry, NY
- 2017 Westchester / Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award – Sugar Pond Nature Center, Hastings on Hudson, NY
- 2016 Westchester / Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award – Pocket Change Communities
- 2014 Westchester Magazine “Best Renovation of the Year” Design Award – Angel Residence, White Plains, NY
- 2013 Gold LEED for Homes certification – Angel Residence, White Plains, NY
- 2013 Westchester / Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award – Taylor Residence, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
- 2013 Featured in Westchester Magazine “Great Architects - the County’s 13 Top Master Builders”
- 2012 Westchester / Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award – Angel Residence, White Plains, NY
- 2012 HOBI (Home Builder's Assoc. of Connecticut) “Best Energy-Efficient Green Remodel” Award – Angel Residence, White Plains, NY
- 2012 Featured in Westchester Magazine "The Architect" in "People to Watch, 22 Stars on the Rise"
- 2010 Platinum LEED for Homes certification (first in Westchester County) – River Town House, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
S E N I O R P R O J E C T D E S I G N E R
SUZANNE LEVINE LEED AP Senior Designer since joining the firm in 1999.
SUZANNE LEVINE LEED AP Senior Designer since joining the firm in 1999.
P R O J E C T D E S I G N E R
JOSEFA MULAIRE Project Designer, Webmaster & Photographer for the firm.
JOSEFA MULAIRE Project Designer, Webmaster & Photographer for the firm.
P R O J E C T D E S I G N E R
LIZETTE GARCIA-ELIAS Project & Interior Designer with Bachelors of Interior Design from FIT, 2013.
LIZETTE GARCIA-ELIAS Project & Interior Designer with Bachelors of Interior Design from FIT, 2013.
P R O J E C T A R C H I T E C T
KAREN CHUBAK RA Project Architect with Master of Architecture from Parsons the New School for Design, 2010.
KAREN CHUBAK RA Project Architect with Master of Architecture from Parsons the New School for Design, 2010.