WHAT WE DO

We transform spaces through our integrated approach to Architecture & Lighting.

A synthesis of diverse backgrounds in architecture, lighting design, interior design, and art installations + exhibitions give us an integrated approach that benefits our clients and collaborators alike. With decades of shared experience on projects around the world, our partners stay directly involved and bring hands-on technical expertise in the following areas:
Consultant-based lighting design services
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NY licensed architectural services
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Artist collaborations & prototyping
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Manufacturer product customizations & design assistance
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Consultant-based lighting design services
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3
NY licensed architectural services
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3
Artist collaborations & prototyping
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3
Manufacturer product customizations & design assistance
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2
3
Consultant-based lighting design services
1
2
3
NY licensed architectural services
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2
3
Artist collaborations & prototyping
1
2
3
Manufacturer product customizations & design assistance
1
2
3

WHO WE ARE

dog
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
dog
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
dog
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
Close-up portrait of a person
We are a WBE-certified design studio rooted in New York City, with a reach spanning from Chicago to San Francisco and beyond. Our size ensures direct partner involvement—each of us works closely with clients and fellow design teams throughout every phase of a project. We bring real expertise, personal attention, and a commitment to thoughtful, high-quality design, striving to push the conceptual envelope while executing with care.

Erin Dreyfous

Lighting Design Partner
Erin Dreyfous (CLD, MIES, prof-IALD) is a lighting designer that merges technical expertise with an artistic intuition to help shape spaces that feel both rigorous and deeply human.  Erin led Tillotson Design Associates as Co-Owner and Creative Design Partner for 17+ years prior to founding Studio DXD in the fall of 2024 with partner, Jonathan Dreyfous. She earned an MFA in Architectural Lighting from Parsons: The New School for Design and a BFA in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design. Erin was selected by lighting design colleagues in 2018 as one of the "Professional Leaders to Watch" in the industry. She has guest-lectured at Columbia University and Parsons and has served on numerous design competition juries. Erin's award-winning projects include the Broad Museum in LA, as well as the Perelman Performing Arts Center and the Landmark Tiffany & Co flagship store in NYC.

Erin has worked as an asphalt raker & flagger, apprentice electrician, golf course bartender, and factory powder paint specialist of rearview mirrors.

Jonathan Dreyfous

Architecture Design Partner
Jonathan Dreyfous (AIA, LEED AP) was a Licensed Architectural Partner of CDR Studio for 30 years prior to founding Studio DXD. He earned a Master's of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design as well as dual undergraduate degrees from Brown University – in History and Architectural History. He practiced in architectural firms in Boston, San Francisco, Stuttgart and Tokyo. He oversaw design and construction of the Hudson River Park Trust Pier 62 Carousel Building as well as the FDNY Ghostbusters and Marine Company 01 firehouse projects, each recognized with New York City AIA awards. Jon also led the Audi of America network facility program involving more than 300 completed projects across the USA. He has taught at RISD and the Harvard GSD. Jon co-authored Provisional: Emerging Modes of Practice in the USA published by the Princeton Architectural Press.

Jon has worked as a ditch digger, risk management intern, sail boat racing crew member, bellhop, and semi-pro American football player...in New Zealand.

Dagmara Nowak

Lighting Design Partner
Dagmara Nowak (CLD, MIES, IALD) is a lighting designer driven by a deep passion for shaping space through light. She holds an MFA in Architectural Lighting Design from Parsons: The New School for Design and a BFA in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois. Her work has been recognized with the Philips Innovation Award and the Golden Portfolio Award. In parallel with practice, Dagmara has taught as a studio professor within School of Constructed Environment's Lighting Department at Parsons and Pratt Institute’s Interior Design Department, where she brings professional practice and critical inquiry into the academic setting.
Named one of Lighting Magazine’s “40 Under 40 to Watch” in 2020, her notable project experience includes the MoMA Expansion and R/GA offices in New York City, as well as the Princeton University Art Museum in New Jersey.

Dagmara has worked as a lifeguard, roof shingler, steakhouse hostess, graphic designer, and amateur gardener.

Boutique in size.

Highly experienced.

Deeply involved.

OUR PROCESS

We craft spaces that enrich the human experience through architecture and lighting. From the beginning, we work collaboratively to understand the project vision and explore how design can enhance an environment while revealing form and materiality. Concepts evolve into precise, coordinated designs—tailored to aesthetics, necessary function, and environmental considerations. We guide the process to ensure the final outcome meets technical needs while creating a memorable sense of place.

Site Assessment

DXD undertakes comprehensive site assessments — surveying existing conditions, evaluating existing systems along with their visual impact, and recording precise luminance and illuminance measurements. This rigorous analysis reveals the hierarchies of lighting levels and perceived brightnesses, forming a foundation for an informed design strategy. Understanding the daytime-to-nighttime environmental transition enables us to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding fabric while identifying opportunities to establish a distinct and memorable identity for the project.

Site Assessment

DXD undertakes comprehensive site assessments — surveying existing conditions, evaluating existing systems along with their visual impact, and recording precise luminance and illuminance measurements. This rigorous analysis reveals the hierarchies of lighting levels and perceived brightnesses, forming a foundation for an informed design strategy. Understanding the daytime-to-nighttime environmental transition enables us to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding fabric while identifying opportunities to establish a distinct and memorable identity for the project.

Site Assessment

DXD undertakes comprehensive site assessments — surveying existing conditions, evaluating existing systems along with their visual impact, and recording precise luminance and illuminance measurements. This rigorous analysis reveals the hierarchies of lighting levels and perceived brightnesses, forming a foundation for an informed design strategy. Understanding the daytime-to-nighttime environmental transition enables us to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding fabric while identifying opportunities to establish a distinct and memorable identity for the project.

Project Research

Our team conducts in-depth research into local ordinances, as well as any supplementary regulations or standards that may influence the final design outcome. This ensures that our concepts comply with all requirements in a thoughtful way. We bring extensive experience designing for projects with defined environmental objectives or sustainability benchmarks, exploring every opportunity to deliver considered and efficient systems that uphold quality without compromise.

Project Research

Our team conducts in-depth research into local ordinances, as well as any supplementary regulations or standards that may influence the final design outcome. This ensures that our concepts comply with all requirements in a thoughtful way. We bring extensive experience designing for projects with defined environmental objectives or sustainability benchmarks, exploring every opportunity to deliver considered and efficient systems that uphold quality without compromise.

Project Research

Our team conducts in-depth research into local ordinances, as well as any supplementary regulations or standards that may influence the final design outcome. This ensures that our concepts comply with all requirements in a thoughtful way. We bring extensive experience designing for projects with defined environmental objectives or sustainability benchmarks, exploring every opportunity to deliver considered and efficient systems that uphold quality without compromise.

Design Objectives

Collaboration is at the core of our process. We work closely with clients to define overall project goals and aspirations, also identifying any specialized program areas that may call for unique, project-specific approaches. DXD reviews the overall project budget and system allocations to propose value-driven design strategies that maximize visual and experiential impact.

Design Objectives

Collaboration is at the core of our process. We work closely with clients to define overall project goals and aspirations, also identifying any specialized program areas that may call for unique, project-specific approaches. DXD reviews the overall project budget and system allocations to propose value-driven design strategies that maximize visual and experiential impact.

Design Objectives

Collaboration is at the core of our process. We work closely with clients to define overall project goals and aspirations, also identifying any specialized program areas that may call for unique, project-specific approaches. DXD reviews the overall project budget and system allocations to propose value-driven design strategies that maximize visual and experiential impact.

Concept Exploration

Each project begins without preconceptions. Early programming and client vision guide our exploration of design and lighting strategies that meet technical requirements while creating inspiring spatial experiences and a cohesive project identity. Our team approaches every project with curiosity, experimenting with new technologies and materials, and taking advantage of the unique opportunities each site presents.

Concept Exploration

Each project begins without preconceptions. Early programming and client vision guide our exploration of design and lighting strategies that meet technical requirements while creating inspiring spatial experiences and a cohesive project identity. Our team approaches every project with curiosity, experimenting with new technologies and materials, and taking advantage of the unique opportunities each site presents.

Concept Exploration

Each project begins without preconceptions. Early programming and client vision guide our exploration of design and lighting strategies that meet technical requirements while creating inspiring spatial experiences and a cohesive project identity. Our team approaches every project with curiosity, experimenting with new technologies and materials, and taking advantage of the unique opportunities each site presents.

Testing & Refinement

At Studio DXD, we believe concepts must be experienced in order to reveal their full potential. We rigorously test light sources with selected architectural materials and finishes, from simple tabletop reviews to sophisticated full-scale prototypes and immersize environmental simulations. These physical studies help us to iterate and refine the design to maximum quality. We guide the team in building this into the overall design schedule and process.

Testing & Refinement

At Studio DXD, we believe concepts must be experienced in order to reveal their full potential. We rigorously test light sources with selected architectural materials and finishes, from simple tabletop reviews to sophisticated full-scale prototypes and immersize environmental simulations. These physical studies help us to iterate and refine the design to maximum quality. We guide the team in building this into the overall design schedule and process.

Testing & Refinement

At Studio DXD, we believe concepts must be experienced in order to reveal their full potential. We rigorously test light sources with selected architectural materials and finishes, from simple tabletop reviews to sophisticated full-scale prototypes and immersize environmental simulations. These physical studies help us to iterate and refine the design to maximum quality. We guide the team in building this into the overall design schedule and process.

Observation & Commissioning

Details define a project. On-site architectural coordination and construction supervision are central to our design practice, particularly when it comes to lighting, a nuanced medium that demands precision and care. We oversee every stage—from early construction through commissioning and occupancy—to ensure the final results fully reflect the design intent. Our team carefully focuses lighting systems and programs specific scenes tailored to each space. We also embrace post-occupancy evaluations to confirm the project meets the client’s needs and can adapt as those needs evolve.

Observation & Commissioning

Details define a project. On-site architectural coordination and construction supervision are central to our design practice, particularly when it comes to lighting, a nuanced medium that demands precision and care. We oversee every stage—from early construction through commissioning and occupancy—to ensure the final results fully reflect the design intent. Our team carefully focuses lighting systems and programs specific scenes tailored to each space. We also embrace post-occupancy evaluations to confirm the project meets the client’s needs and can adapt as those needs evolve.

Observation & Commissioning

Details define a project. On-site architectural coordination and construction supervision are central to our design practice, particularly when it comes to lighting, a nuanced medium that demands precision and care. We oversee every stage—from early construction through commissioning and occupancy—to ensure the final results fully reflect the design intent. Our team carefully focuses lighting systems and programs specific scenes tailored to each space. We also embrace post-occupancy evaluations to confirm the project meets the client’s needs and can adapt as those needs evolve.

OUR EXPERIENCE

From designing an infrastructural pier and FDNY facility to illuminating a complex performing arts center, DXD’s experience spans a wide range of project types and scales, reflecting our steadfast commitment to design excellence. Our portfolio includes both domestic and international projects— from compact urban dwellings to bespoke mixed-use developments and luxury hospitality interiors. Over the years, we have built strong collaborative relationships with world-renowned architects, landscape architects, interior designers, developers, and artists, creating distinguished projects and memorable environmental experiences around the globe.

Academic

Columbia Business School, New York, NY x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | FX Collaborative
Harvard Treehouse Conference Center, Cambridge, MA x Studio Gang
Karsh Institute of Democracy, Charlottesville, VA x Howeler + Yoon
MIT Metropolitan Warehouse, Cambridge, MA x Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Northwestern New Kellogg, Evanston, IL x KPMB
Packer Collegiate, Brooklyn, NY x WORKac
Rice University Sarofim Hall, Houston, TX Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Jackson Ryan Architects
Roy & Diana Vagelos Education Center, New York, NY x Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Stanford McMurtry Art Building, Stanford, CA x x Diller Scofidio + Renfro
University of Arkansas Fine Arts, Fayetteville, AR x TenBurke

Art

Agnes Reimagined, Kingston, Canada x KPMB
AMNH People’s Place, New York, NY x Studio Gang
MET Costume Institute “About Time”, New York, NY x Es Devlin
MET Costume Institute “Karl Lagerfeld”, New York, NY x Tadao Ando
MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA x Studio Joseph  | Blue Cadet
MoMA Expansion, New York, NY x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Gensler
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ x Adjaye Associates | Cooper Robertson | Studio Joseph
Speed Museum, Louisville, KY x Reed Hilderbrand
The Broad, Los Angeles, CA x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Gensler LA
Valley of Future Cities, Saudi Arabia x Agnes Denes

Home

1515 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY x StudioV
1906 South Ocean, Palm Beach, FL x stonefox Architects
262 5th Avenue Luxury Condominiums, New York, NY x NORM Architects
CasaNica Residence, Nicaragua x Oppenheim Architecture
Downtown Skyhouse, New York, NY x David Hotson Architects
Front + York Condominiums, New York, NY x Morris Adjmi
Gramercy Residence, New York, NY x CDR Studio
SF Private House + Gardens, San Francisco, CA x Lissoni NY
Snowmass Vacation Residence, Aspen, CO x CDR Studio
The XI Condominiums, New York, NY x BIG | Gabellini Sheppard  | Giles & Boissier

Hospitality

Ambassador Chicago, Chicago, IL x Ian Schrager
Faena Forum, Miami, FL x OMA
Four Seasons Restaurant, New York, NY x Isay Weinfeld
Metropolis, New York, NY x Rockwell Group
NowNow Hotel, New York, NY x Islyn Studio
Park Hyatt, New York, NY x Yabu Pushelberg
The Rainbow Room at 30 Rock, New York, NY x Gabellini Sheppard
The Wharf, Washington, DC x S9 Architecture
Pies Dos Restaurant x Architecture Background Office
Boroughs Golf Club, New York, NY x Ideas of Order

Library

Charlotte Library, Charlotte, NC x Snohetta | Clarx Nexsen
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MY x BBB | Ayers Saint Gross
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC x KieranTimberlake | Studio Joseph
Mutnomah Library, Mutnomah County, OR x Adjaye Associates | Hoist Architecture
NYU Bobst Library, New York, NY x Todd Williams Billie Tsien
Smith College Neilson Library, Northampton, MA x Maya Lin Studio
University of Delaware Morris Library, Newark, DE x KVA
Winter Park Library x Adjaye Associates

Performing Arts

92nd Street Y x Beyer Blinder Belle
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Hudson Valley, NY x Studio Gang
Kennedy Center Atrium, Washington, DC x KieranTimberlake
Marshall Family Performing Arts Center, Addison, TX x Weiss Manfredi
Prior Performing Arts Center, Worcester, MA x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Perry Dean Rogers
The Perelman Performing Arts Center, New York, NY x REX NY | Rockwell Group  |  David Brody Bond
The Shed, New York, NY x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Rockwell Group

Public Agency

DDC 40th Precinct, New York, NY x BIG
DDC Bronx Animal Care Center, Bronx, NY x Marvel Architects
FDNY Ghostbusters, New York, NY x CDR Studio
FDNY Marine Company 01 Firehouse, New York, NY x CDR Studio
The Embassy of Luxemburg, Washington DC x UBR Studio
US Consulate General Curacao, Curacao, Netherlands x KieranTimberlake
US Embassy Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR of Congo x SHop Architects
US Embassy Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand x SHop Architects
US Embassy New Delhi, New Delhi, India x Weiss Manfredi

Public Realm

BM Coastal Resilience, New York, NY x Aecom
Chelsea Waterside Pavillion, New York, NY x CDR Studio | ABB Landscape Architects
Highline Connector, New York, NY x Field Operations | SOM
Netflix Campus, Fort Monmouth, NJ x Mancini Duffy | Langan Engineering
Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN x Field Operations
Live Oak Bank Pavilion Riverfront Park, Wilmington, NC x Sage&Coombe | Hargreaves Jones
Pier 62 Carousel, New York, NY x CDR Studio
Turkey Bend, Houston, TX x NADAA
Willow Village Campus Masterplan, Menlo Park, CA x Safdie, Kendall Heaton | Hart Howerton
USOP Museum Campus, Colorado Springs, CO x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Anderson Mason Dale

Retail

Audio Network Facilities Program - 300+ Locations Nationwide x CDR Studio
Eileen Fisher, New York, NY x CDR Studio
Holt Renfrew, Toronto, CA x Gensler
Nike House of Innovation 000, New York, NY x CallisonRTKL
Sotheby’s, New York, NY x OMA
Steinway Piano Showroom, New York, NY x Seldorf Architects
Tiffany & Co Landmark, New York, NY x OMA | Peter Marino
Thom Sweeney, London, UK x CTK Architects

Workplace

245 Park Avenue, New York, NY x Kohn Pederson Fox
Bank of China Haikou, Haikou, China x PEI Architects
Comcast Innovation Center, Philadelphia, PA x Foster + Partners | Gensler
China Merchants Bank, China x Foster + Partners
Foundation in Midwest, Bloomfield, MA x JCDA | Rossetti
Google Pier 57, New York, NY x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | HLW
Meta Project X, Redmond, WA x Frank Gehry
Microsoft “ The Square”, Redmond, WA x Diller Scofidio + Renfro | Gensler
One Vanderbilt, New York, NY x Kohn Pederson Fox
Skidmore Owings Merril Offices, New York, NY x SOM
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Nicollet Mall
a door with a glass window
a door with a glass window
FDNY Marine Company 01
Coring America art exhibit of recycled T-shirts in museum exhibition space
Coring America art exhibit of recycled T-shirts in museum exhibition space
MIT Museum
Audi Network Program
Nicollet Mall
a door with a glass window
FDNY Marine Company 01
Coring America art exhibit of recycled T-shirts in museum exhibition space
MIT Museum
© 2025 STUDIO DXD
Project Credits
© 2025 STUDIO DXD
Project Credits
© 2025 STUDIO DXD
Project Credits