Sebastien Coles
Sebastien Coles, 34
Director at MdeAS Architects
In his 11 years with MdeAS Architects, Sebastien Coles has been able to work on some of New York City’s biggest construction projects. At the moment, he’s overseeing the interior work on Macklowe Properties’ redevelopment of One Wall Street, where MdeAS is designing the lobby, amenities and half of the building’s 578 condominiums.
“We’re very excited to be involved in this project,” Coles said. “It represents a certain history in New York. It’s got this Art Deco presence and detailing, and it’s something that in terms of landmarks has been closely regarded.”
He’s also heavily involved in the renovation of One Penn Plaza, now known as Penn 1. As the architect of record, MdeAS is mainly doing exterior work, including adding eight new public plazas around the building. The largest of the new plazas includes an LED light sculpture, a food truck and plenty of new seating. The first few floors have been completely revamped, including a new entrance with limestone stairs, larger windows and new landscaping. The new interiors, designed by A+I, include a new lobby and second-floor amenity space with a bar and restaurant. Landlord Vornado Realty Trust is also replacing all exterior windows on the 57-story building with triple-paned glass.
Outside of work, Coles likes to paint and draw, especially market scenes from his native Haiti. He lived there until he turned 6, and then his family moved to Miami, where he stayed until heading to Syracuse University to earn his bachelor’s in architecture.
“Art is very involved in my life,” he explained. “As someone within the architectural world, it’s kind of inherent to a lot of us to have this creative artistic aspect to ourselves. Ever since I was young, I’ve always been painting.” —R.B.R.
