Business Details
26 Years
experience
Innovative Architecture & Design Solutions in New York
Founded in 2000 by Adam Weintraub and Mishi Hosono, KOKO Architecture + Design is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and product design. Our philosophy centers on the transformative power of play, which informs every project from residential and commercial spaces to innovative children's environments. With decades of combined experience, we bridge cultural perspectives through design, drawing inspiration from global influences and childhood creativity. Our team holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions and maintains active roles in academia, teaching at the New York Institute of Technology. We have earned recognition through awards like the AIA Playhouse Design Competition Peoples Choice Award and Best Playspace honors from New York Magazine.Our expertise extends to designing interactive museum spaces, STEM facilities, and early childhood learning centers, reflecting our commitment to creating functional, imaginative environments. We actively engage with communities through lectures and workshops at institutions like the Cooper Hewitt Museum and Japan Society. Our international portfolio demonstrates technical proficiency across diverse projects, from the Hudson Concrete House to the Kaleidoscope Nursery School. The firm's leadership maintains professional licensure in New York and Illinois, ensuring adherence to rigorous architectural standards. Our work has been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum and featured in publications like Interior Design Magazine, underscoring our industry authority.
Services
Residential Architecture
Children's Educational Spaces
Commercial Interior Design
Product Design
STEM Facility Design
Playground Development
Museum Space Design
Furniture Design
Educational Facility Planning
Interactive Environment Creation
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We have 20+ years of experience designing award-winning children's spaces
- Our team includes licensed architects with international academic credentials
- We maintain active roles in architectural education at NY Institute of Technology
- Our work has been exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum and Cooper Hewitt Museum
- We combine play-inspired design with rigorous technical expertise
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects
What people say
Award-winning designs
Creative children's spaces
Technical expertise
Innovative solutions
Educational environments
Services
Residential Architecture
We create innovative residential spaces that integrate play-inspired design principles with functional living requirements. Our expertise spans single-family homes, urban residences, and custom renovations. Each project emphasizes spatial creativity while maintaining technical precision and building code compliance.
Children's Educational Spaces
Specializing in early childhood learning environments, we design spaces that foster creativity and development. Our portfolio includes preschools, STEM labs, and interactive museum exhibits. We incorporate ergonomic design and sensory elements to support educational outcomes through spatial innovation.
Commercial Interior Design
We transform commercial spaces into functional environments that reflect brand identity. Our approach combines aesthetic innovation with practical considerations for businesses and cultural institutions. Projects include galleries, retail spaces, and corporate offices with emphasis on user experience.
Product Design
Our design philosophy extends to creating furniture and objects that embody playful functionality. We develop products that complement our architectural projects while maintaining standalone utility. The process integrates material experimentation with ergonomic considerations for practical application.
Interactive Environment Creation
We design immersive spaces that encourage engagement and exploration. This includes playgrounds, exhibition spaces, and public installations. Our approach combines spatial innovation with sensory elements to create environments that stimulate interaction and discovery through architectural form.
People
Adam Weintraub
Co-Founder
Licensed architect with 20+ years of experience, Harvard graduate, and NYIT professor. Combines environmental design with developmental psychology. Holds patents for interactive children's spaces and teaches global architectural history.
Mishi Hosono
Co-Founder
Licensed New York architect with international experience in Tokyo, London, and Paris. Former Peter Marino and Tsao & McKown designer. Teaches Japan Summer Studio at NYIT. Member of American Institute of Architects.
Eiko Sakai
Senior Associate
Tokyo University and University of Pennsylvania graduate. Former Frank Gehry designer for Walt Disney Concert Hall. Published digital artist and Noguchi Museum translator. Expert in ferryboat-to-entertainment complex conversions.
Maasa Miyazaki
Project Manager
Harvard Graduate School of Design alumnus with law background. Specializes in spatial interaction through play. Experienced in Japan, Spain, and US projects. Editor at Architecture + Urbanism Magazine in Tokyo.
Florence Warner
Project Architect
University of Michigan graduate with global experience in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Denmark, and Turkey. Multilingual in five languages. Expert in material studies and housing for empty nesters. Former graduate research assistant.
Questions
What makes KOKO's approach to architecture unique?
Our design philosophy integrates play-inspired principles with technical precision, creating spaces that balance functionality with imaginative potential across residential, commercial, and educational projects.
Do you specialize in specific building types?
While we work across sectors, we have particular expertise in children's environments, including preschools, STEM facilities, and interactive museum spaces that foster learning through spatial design.
How does your international experience influence your work?
Our team's global background informs culturally responsive designs. We incorporate diverse perspectives from projects in Asia, Europe, and the Americas to create contextually appropriate architectural solutions.
What awards have you received for your work?
We've earned multiple recognitions including AIA Playhouse Design Competition awards, New York Magazine Best Playspace honors, and Interior Design Magazine Best of Year accolades for innovative projects.
Do you offer design education programs?
Our principals teach at NYIT and lead workshops at institutions like Cooper Hewitt Museum. We regularly present lectures on architectural design principles and children's spatial requirements.
