STAMFORD, CT — MKDA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Stamford studio, opened in 2006 as the firm’s first satellite office outside New York City to serve Fairfield and Westchester County’s emerging corporate headquarters market. What began as a small workplace interiors practice has grown into a multidisciplinary studio spanning workplace, commercial office, healthcare, retail, multifamily, and single-family residential work across the Northeast and beyond. The growth reflects the leadership of Northeast Regional Managing Principal Julia Riso Livingston, RA — a Westfair Business Journal Woman Innovator and recognized industry leader.
“Looking back over the last 20 years, what I’m most proud of isn’t just the work or the growth — it’s the relationships,” said Livingston. “Many of our clients, consultants, and team members have been with us for a significant part of our journey. Their trust has allowed us to grow thoughtfully and build a studio defined by collaboration and lasting partnerships. The values that shaped this studio from day one — integrity, collaboration, thoughtful design, exceptional client service — remain unchanged.”
The studio’s workplace strategy and design work for corporate occupiers has helped establish MKDA as a perennial Interior Design Top 100 Design Giant. For corporate client Lovesac, MKDA led the adaptive reuse of Stamford’s historic 1916 Post Office — a Neo-Renaissance landmark with Art Deco interiors — into a home-inspired headquarters and showroom, preserving the building’s double-height ceilings and original arched windows while adding stadium seating for all-hands meetings and product showcases. Other clients include Eldridge Industries, PURE Insurance, Triton International, Curaleaf, and Cummings & Lockwood.
The studio also advises commercial building owners and investors on capital improvements that enhance asset value and tenant experience. At 2187 Atlantic Street, MKDA repositioned the building and designed a penthouse headquarters for Black Diamond Capital Management, pairing a full interior build-out with façade upgrades and a private rooftop terrace overlooking Stamford Harbor. Similar work for George Comfort & Sons, Rubenstein Partners, Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners, Cain International, Argent Ventures, Lamar Companies, and Lincoln Properties has helped owners modernize assets and strengthen tenant appeal.
Building on its workplace foundation, the studio has expanded into retail, healthcare, and multifamily work. In healthcare, MKDA provides ongoing architectural services for the 75 Holly Hill medical office campus in Greenwich, Connecticut, and for multi-location facilities for Orthopaedic Neurosurgery Specialists. The studio has also led national retail rollouts for Riko’s Pizza and Hi! People.
“The Stamford studio represents everything we aspire to be as a firm,” said MKDA CEO Michael Kleinberg. “Over the past 20 years, it has grown with purpose — earning the trust of clients, attracting exceptional talent, and building a reputation for thoughtful design and outstanding service. Under Julia’s leadership, the team has become integral to MKDA’s continued success, and we’re excited to see what the next 20 years will bring.”
