Sebastien Coles
Director
Sebastien, Director, is deeply integrated within the firm and is involved in projects from conception to completion. As part of a small percentage of Black, queer designers in the industry, Sebastien brings a unique perspective to MdeAS. Internally, Sebastien oversees hiring and retention as well as the mentorship of junior staff. Externally, he takes part in maintaining the architectural fabric of the city while delivering beautiful and efficient spaces that push the boundary on innovation.
In addition to his extensive experience with commercial redevelopments, Sebastien has a keen specialty in plaza and lobby design where he brings an unmatched level of creativity to the ideation process. He is passionate about creating thoughtful architecture that holistically integrates into its contextual surroundings and believes there is no space too small to transform. His driving goals are to use design and architecture as a catalyst for social change and strives to enrich the communities that encompass these spaces.
Currently, Sebastien manages a dozen different projects ranging from 2,500 SF to 2.5 million SF. His breadth of experience spans from One Wall Street, a landmarked residential conversion project in the Financial District, to several commercial redevelopment projects including his most recent exterior repositioning of PENN 1 in Midtown Manhattan.
Education
Syracuse University, B. Arch.
Associations
Member, Urban Land Institute New York
Member, National Organization of Minority Architects
Related Content
Commercial Observer selected Sebastien for their Class of 2022’s Top Young Professionals list!
“The names on our finance, leasing, sales, architecture, engineering and construction list have intensity, have grit, and have survived 2022, the year of crises — averted and otherwise.” - Max Gross, Editor in Chief of Commercial Observer
Read Sebastien’s feature here.
“I am asking myself how do we as architects help? We have a stake in the power for change.”
Sebastien was recognized by the New York Real Estate Journal as Ones to Watch, a list of up-and-coming professionals transforming the real estate sector throughout the New York region.
"Through witnessing the mark [MdeAS] has made on the urban fabric of cities, in particular New York City, it's exposed me to a dynamic, complex, and everchanging experience in the architectural profession." - Sebastien Coles
Read more of the feature here.
