ODA Information

Since its inception in 2007, ODA has quickly emerged as one of the most recognized firms of its generation, promptly establishing a reputation for delivering imaginative and mold-breaking designs. Seeking to reorder architectural priorities by putting people first, ODA challenges conventional perspectives of dwelling that will, over time, influence life in our cities. Through a range of projects, ODA seeks to reconcile the conditions of vertical urban living with the qualities which benefit and nurture us as human beings: the desire for protected shelter while observing wide perspectives, the seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the general improvement of life through good design. This prolific firm has gained extensive experience designing and building in New York – currently more than 55 projects in New York City and around the globe – making them uniquely positioned to lead the discourse of living in urban environments. The office’s buildings celebrate life, catalyzing change in their immediate environments. Eran Chen is the founding principal of ODA. His multi award-winning projects have been praised for their social responsibility, and innovative contributions to contemporary urban life, such as OLA Palermo, an abandoned parking garage turned public park and grade A office building, Denizen, a one million square foot residential development; and Deer Valley East Village, the first ground-up ski resort in North America in the last 40 years. He is a frequent speaker at design and development forums, as well as architecture schools around the world including Columbia University, New York University, Cornell, and Georgetown University. His writings on architecture have been published in the firm's two books, Unboxing New York and ODA: Office of Design and Architecture.