Stephan R. Thimme

In 17 years at Workshop/APD, Stephan has seen more than 140 projects through from pre-design to successful completion, with a focus on highly-customized luxury homes. He believes that the secret to his long career at Workshop/APD is the ever-evolving nature of the firm and their field, noting that he “never had to change jobs because thankfully, my job keeps changing.” Stephan has always relished participating in the maturing of each project from a quick sketch to a very complex and highly refined finished home, and the many collaborative interactions with clients, teammates, consultants and contractors to make that happen. As managing director and a senior associate he leads a skilled group of architects and designers who benefit from his experience in high-end construction. Stephan encourages a mature, exploratory approach, and believes that a healthy level of playfulness in design – while still adhering to the core idea of each project and of course the highest standards of quality – results in extraordinary work.

Stephan attended a 7-year architectural program at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule in Aachen, Germany, a school known for fostering technical mastery and attention to detail. He learned the NYC design and construction landscape at Michael Schmitt Architect, PC, and continued to hone skills in drawings and specifications, bidding and contractor negotiations and construction administration with Workshop/APD. Today he is essential in the development of organizational systems that enable their multidisciplinary teams to work collaboratively across verticals, and helps to lead mentorship and educational initiatives.