B-KD (Büro Koray Duman) is an award-winning research-driven architecture and design studio based in New York City and Istanbul. Architecture and design are tools we use to create connections between people. We design environments that awaken and nurture generosity, a sense of belonging, creation of knowledge, and new forms of communities/y—public spaces that perform in multiple ways. Eschewing prescriptive and overwhelming design gestures, our architecture intends to form spaces that are stimulating and open for interpretation.
Founded in 2013, B-KD works globally across all typologies and scales. We have designed and executed projects for MoMA PS1 Museum, Finnish Cultural Institute NY, the Noguchi Museum, IKSV, artist Richard Prince, American Society for Muslim Advancement, Council for Fashion Designers of America, Mendes Wood Gallery, Participant Inc., the Center for Art and Advocacy, and Design Within Reach among other culturally visionary and forward-thinking clients.
In 2017, Architizer honored B-KD as Emerging Firm of the Year for “its forward-thinking vision for the role of the architect and the desire to disrupt the stigma of the practice”. Over the years, our projects have received design awards from AIA New York, Society of American Registered Architects, Architect’s Newspaper, Interior Design Magazine, and Dezeen. B-KD is an immigrant and LGBTQ-owned company with a team of architects that represent a diverse mix of nationalities and experiences from around the world.
Founder, Koray Duman, AIA, LEED AP, invests in the social, cultural and ecological challenges of our built environment with innovative architectural strategies. An immigrant, Muslim, and LGBTQ man, Koray expresses in his work the need for architecture to encourage human bonds as a form a cultural advancement, creating spaces that promote inclusion, connectivity, and engagement with everyone.
Prior to establishing Buro Koray Duman in 2013, Koray was the co-founder of Sayigh Duman Architects and had previously worked as the lead architect on several West Coast museum projects for Frederick Fisher & Partners. Koray has been the chair of New Practice Committee at AIA NY, a board member of the Clemente Center, and part of the Leadership Council at Van Alen Institute. He is currently a fellow of Urban Design Forum, and sits on the advisory boards of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and ProtoCinema.
Koray has taught at Pratt Graduate School of Architecture, the New School, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is originally from Turkey where he earned a BArch from Middle Eastern Technical University, and furthered his studies at UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design with a master’s degree in Architecture. Koray is a registered architect in New York and Turkey.
Design by Fol