BUILDING AWARD WINNER: Architect Uses Talents on Own Office

BY MEGHAN SACKMAN

Gerald Caliendo gets excited when he discusses the transformation of his new office.

“It’s an architect’s office so, I wanted it to look slick and I wanted it to look industrial,” he said. “I wanted it to be the best building on Queens Boulevard.”

The previous one-story building now has four floors and an accessible rooftop. Architectural elements include a Turkish curtain wall and a descending LED chandelier.

Renovations were completed over three weekends without forcing any of his 40 employees to relocate. Caliendo believes the new building will impact future construction in the area.

“It stands out like a sore thumb but in a good way,” he said. “I know I’ve influenced the rest of the area. The next guy that builds here is going to want to compliment this.

“Don’t always cheap out, that’s the reality of it,” Caliendo added of his philosophy as an architect. “The key is to make sure that you design to improve the building environment and promote the area, because that‘s what architects are supposed to do.”