Jeffrey I. Sherman is the founding principal of Sherman Architects, a full-service architecture firm in Brooklyn, NY, widely published for its modern additions to historic buildings. He opened his architectural practice in 1995.
For several years, he taught office and restaurant design studios at the NY School of Interior Design and has written multiple articles for Metropolis, Vogue, In Style, and Feed.
He holds a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. He is a LEED AP and a registered architect licensed in both New York and New Jersey.
Could you describe your initiative/startup’s purpose and vision and how it benefits its target audience?
Sherman Architects has built a reputation for innovative design, meticulous bid documents, and rigorous involvement during construction. But these are only a means to our greater goal—spaces that support and inspire the people who use them.
In place of a signature style, the firm focuses on the unique opportunities of each project. By coupling elegant minimalism with traditional materials, our work has a sense of inevitability. Our designs feel as though they have always belonged to their sites.
We are good listeners. All of our projects begin with the needs of our clients. We believe the design and construction process is inherently collaborative. And we marshal the expertise of our collaborators—clients, local artisans, talented engineers, and experienced builders—to create extraordinary spaces.
As far as entrepreneurship is concerned, your journey is quite inspiring. What are some of your most significant accomplishments and how did you achieve them?
Most architecture firms are poorly managed. The only requirement for starting your own firm is the ability to get clients, which often means a mismanaged office. We put a priority on taking good care of our staff and establishing systems that allow us to deliver a very high-quality product on time and on budget for our clients.
Being an entrepreneur, what kind of response have you received from your users/consumers? (You can also talk about your recognitions/awards here)
Our work has won a range of awards over the years: Curbed’s award for New York City’s Most Beautiful Homes of 2019; Best Residential Architect Award from Home Builder Digest; the 2024 Longlist by Archello Awards; and the 2024 Future House Award from Global Design News and The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture.
We’ve also been published in dozens of books, magazines, and web publications. And we have a long list of glowing testimonials from satisfied clients.
In what ways has your life changed since you began your entrepreneurial journey?
When I first started my practice, I lived alone with my dog and worked out of my apartment. Now I’m a husband and a father. We have an office in Dumbo with a staff of six and a spectacular view of the Williamsburg Bridge.
