Architects office expansion reaches for the sky.

Scarano & Associates, the architecture firm responsible for the design of thousands of apartment buildings and offices throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan is now taking care of its own design needs with a two-story glass and steel "sheltering roof" office addition, plus a 1,700-square-foot open air roof deck, on top of its existing fifth floor offices at 110 York Street in Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn.

"With a staff that has grown from 25 to 75 architects and design professionals within two years, we desperately needed to expand our offices," says Robert Scarano, founder and principal of the firm. "Moving for the fifth time in a decade seemed inevitable at first, but we managed to rind a much better solution that would showcase our most innovative work and, at the same time, give us the space we needed."

Designed by Mr. Scarano with David Balustein, and built by Mile Square Construction with Anthony Gennaro, Coronis Structural Systems and AA Omvraki Mechanical Engineers, the composition of the distinctly angled extension is glass and steel with natural wood panels and corrugated aluminum facade. Encompassing 5,000 square feet on two separate floors, Scarano & Associates' new office will have its own dedicated elevator to travel from the current fifth office to the rooftop extension. The interiors will inc

"There is a dramatic contrast between the ultra modern rooftop and the red brick masonry of the base building, which was built as a warehouse over 100 years ago," adds Mr. Scarano.

"The near transparency of the extension gives it a fluidity that enhances the architectural context. From the street, you can see the bridge through the rooftop extension, as if it were part of the structure. It's an architectural statement that is already being referred to as Brooklyn's Newest Landmark."

In addition to the aesthetic value of the structure, Scarano & Associates used many sustainable design features and such innovative architectural techniques as elevated shading roof panels, low-E multiple glazing reflective membranes and LED lighting.

"Our current office was recently described as a 'rabbit's warren' in a magazine article, which was funny to see in print, but also reinforced how tight we are as a group.

"With another 15 architects scheduled to come on board before the end of the year, the completion of this project couldn't come too soon. These are truly exciting times for our firm."

The architects plan to celebrate the completion of their new offices, which took approximately 15 months to design and build, with an industry gala at the end of October for colleagues and clients.