LEAD Studios - Architecture and Design

We couldn't have done it without Otto. As first-time homeowners and renovators, we were daunted by what lay ahead, particularly with a limited budget. Otto worked patiently with us to figure out our shared vision and navigate the sometimes-terrifying, sometimes-exhilarating process of renovating. He brought creativity, commitment, savvy, a willingness to roll with whatever came, and good humor to the process. Thanks to Otto and our contractor, we are the only people we know with such a positive experience renovating, from getting through the process relatively unscathed to living in, and loving, our transformed space. Highly recommend.

Otto worked with us on our backyard renovation. My wife and I came to the project with some basic ideas about materials and how we wanted to use the space. During our initial meeting we walked through the space, shared our wish list with him and pointed out some places that we saw as problematic. On the spot, Otto was able to share ideas about what would work well and how we could fix some of the problems that we saw with our space. It was a collaborative experience that you can only have with an experienced and creative designer. The drawings that we received reflected this experience. Not only did they check off everything that we knew we wanted, but also in the fuzzy "maybe we could have a bench here" or "I think we could use some extra storage". Otto delivered in a way that was exactly what we wanted, except we didn't know how or have the vision to articulate it. In fact, he designed a custom bench and storage solution that our experienced landscape contractor was excited to produce. It is an item that everyone that walks into our backyard compliments us on. I couldn't image a better experience and final product.

The architect and builders at LEAD did a great job on my apartment renovation. The design work respected the existing historical details while making needed contemporary updates. They stayed under budget and completed the work in a timely fashion even after having to make adjustments to the original plan. We were very happy with the work and easily rented the space.

I worked with LEAD on an apartment refresh. From concept design to sourcing vendors, hiring and working with a contractor, and overall project management and execution, Otto Ruano was a true pro. He took an outdated and well-worn apartment and revitalized the space, all while working within the confines of a limited budget and time-frame. I've been recommending LEAD to everyone I know, and look forward to working with them in the future.

The office environment is professional, constructive and a great pleasure to work at. Each project we handle is catered to the client to assure sophisticated design. To achieve elegance we look to highlight the charms of each individual space we take on. LEADstudio's attention to detail is carried through to its architectural drawings and renderings of high quality as a guide to the communicative process with each client.

Otto and Erik are amazing. From design to project management to troubleshooting, they were the consummate professionals for our kitchen reno project. They drew up a beautiful design that grew out of a meticulous study of how we actually live and what problems we had with our space. I was especially impressed with the hand-holding they did through the actual construction: Otto was an amazing communicator throughout, both with us and with the crew. Both Otto and Erik are extremely good communicators verbally and in writing, helping to explain the rationale behind decisions/designs and exploring the inevitable trade-offs. I'll also note that they have comprehensive knowledge of the best choices of everything from furniture to materials to components at every price point. I'm very grateful for their attention to our budget, helping the project to look and work its best within the confines of our budget.

As a high end custom home builder I have worked with many Architects in NY. I strongly feel that Level Eight Architecture + Design, PLLC is one of the finest company I worked with.Otto Ruano and Erik Simon go well beyond the traditional role of architects. Plans and specifications are detailed and precise which helps solicit accurate subcontractor bids and greatly reduces change orders. All this made the project go very smoothly with the least amount of stress. To anyone considering an architect, I would highly recommend Level Eight Architecture + Design, PLLC.

Last fall we decided to renovate a cottage at the bottom of a steep hill. We wanted to be finished by spring and therefor had a very compressed timeline, on a difficult site (150 steps, no driveway), and a lot of unknowns (OLD cottage). Otto was detail oriented, knowledgable, and provided lots of great options at every stage. Reworking drawings due to unforeseen site issues, etc. happened quickly. The renderings and 3d models that Otto produced were great, not only to show us what the project would look like, but also to show the contractors how to tackle difficult and very detailed conditions. Otto was indispensable when it came to finding vendors, recommending us to showrooms, and discussing the steps involved throughout our renovation.

We worked with Level Eight Architecture + Design on a unique lake house project. Otto Ruano's design ability made the project move quickly with zero bumps in the road. We were working with some complex door solutions and thanks to his Knowledge and expertise we were able to really transform the space. I would highly recommend using Level Eight Architecture + Design.

Otto Ruano is an exceptional architect with a dynamic sense of design that can be catered to the individual client. He not only listens to your ideas and needs, but he is also genuinely interested in the creative pursuit of the project at hand. I can't recommend Level Light Design Studio enough. Otto redesigned our living area in our Brooklyn condo, adding a bedroom, a closet, and built-in storage. Along the way he redesigned out lighting in our main area and in our bedroom. This dramatically transformed our space. We were consulted every step of the way. Incredible 3-d renderings were used as a tool to help me visualize the outcome. It was actually super fun because Otto was such a dynamic creative engine for the project. Two more things: Otto is incredibly detail oriented. There isn't a design element too small. Also, he was able to work with his excellent contractor to complete the project in a very short amount of time. We only had two weeks to execute the project and they got it done. It was really impressive. We would use this company again in a heartbeat.

My husband and I renovated an entire floor of our duplex apartment with Otto and Erik. We completely gutted the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, knocking down walls and reconfiguring the entire area. It was a huge project and we could not have been more happy with Otto and Erik's work. In this process there were hundreds upon hundreds of choices to make, their attention and assistance was invaluable. Otto and I shared boards on pinterest, house--you name it. He even went to a showroom with me to pick out bathroom fixtures. He made a concerted effort to understand our esthetic and incorporate it into our design. He also introduced me to stores, showrooms, and products I otherwise would have never known existed. The ultimate product was everything we wanted. Actually, it was remarkable like the renderings, which incidentally were so realistic they fooled my mother into thinking we completed the job before construction even began--another great feature of their work. I would also state that like many homeowners who have strong opinions on light fixtures, tiles, flooring (hate it/love it/who does that/I want it) and are willing to spend thousands on the beautiful thing you need to have and gripe over the hundred for the actual thing you need to have--we were a pain in the butt. Otto and Erik rolled with our punches, were incredibly patient, and nothing but professional. With the scope of our project requiring many meetings and conversations, it certainly helped that we not only respected their expertise, but also genuinely enjoyed their company. I could not recommend them more highly!