AYON Studio Architecture and Preservation

07/13/2026

The ABC Localish micro-documentary featuring the reimagining of New York Amsterdam News, has been nominated for an Emmy. The short spotlights the historic Harlem headquarters as a future national center celebrating the impact of the Black press, journalists, and publishers on American history.

AYON Studio, in collaboration with Jerome Haferd Studio, is working with the Amsterdam News Educational Foundation to restore and reimagine the newspaper's four-story masonry headquarters building.

From publishing Malcolm X’s writings to advocating for the Exonerated Five, The New York Amsterdam News has been at the forefront of racial justice journalism. In 2006, the property was deemed eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, recognizing its significance in American journalism and civil rights history.

Learn more on our website:

The ABC Localish micro-documentary featuring the reimagining of Amsterdam News,   has been nominated for an Emmy in the Informational / Instructional category for Short or Long Form Content. The short spotlights the historic Harlem headquarters as a future national center celebra

06/10/2026

AYON Studio Senior Associate Lloyd DesBrisay, AIA, recently served as a student mentor and guest thesis juror for the New York School of Interior Design's MFA2 program, drawing on his years of experience in architecture and interior design to offer practice-grounded perspective to emerging designers.

This is the latest in a series of academic engagements that also include critique panels at the Pratt Institute's MFA in Interior Design and The New School's Interior Design Studio.

06/05/2026

All of us at AYON Studio are deeply saddened by the passing of Ann Friedman last Friday.

Ann dedicated 24 years of her career to the New York Landmarks Conservancy, where she became a tireless advocate for historic religious properties across New York State, ultimately serving as the Conservancy's Sacred Sites Director. Her impact on the preservation of these sacred places has been nothing short of transformative.

In 2024, when introducing Ann for a Grassroots Award from the Historic Districts Council, AYON Studio Principal Angel Ayón shared:

"[Ann] has left an indelible mark on New York City's landscape. Through the Sacred Sites Program, she has overseen transformative projects... Today, as we honor Ann Friedman with the Grassroots Award, let us celebrate not just her achievements, but her unwavering spirit and dedication.

Ann, your passion for preservation is infectious, your impact profound, and your legacy enduring. Thank you for reminding us all that while buildings may be made of bricks and mortar, it is the stories they hold and the people like you who breathe life into them."

Ann’s legacy will continue to inspire all of us who are committed to the historic sites that define our communities. She will be greatly missed.

Photo Credit: Andrew Lee Photography for the Historic Districts Council
Left to right: Frampton Tolbert, Ann Friedman, Angel Ayón

05/28/2026

AYON Studio was honored to attend the Save Harlem Now! 3rd Annual Gene Norman Preservation Awards Gala, where exceptional individuals were recognized for their contributions to Harlem's architectural and cultural legacy.

As Vice President of the Save Harlem Now! board, AYON Studio Principal, Angel Ayón, had the privilege of delivering closing remarks on the organization's impact and congratulating this year's distinguished honorees including Brent Leggs, Voza Rivers, the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative, and Dr. Marta Morena Vega.

As a community-driven firm committed to heritage conservation and preservation advocacy, AYON Studio wholeheartedly supports Save Harlem Now! in its mission to protect, preserve, and celebrate Harlem’s irreplaceable built heritage.

Read more about the event on our website:
https://www.ayonstudio.com/news/ayon-studio-team-attends-the-save-harlem-now-3rd-annual-gene-norman-preservation-awards-gala

05/20/2026

Our proposed renovation of 260 Lenox Avenue was approved by NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission at a public hearing!

Located in the Mount Morris Park Historic District and originally built circa 1886, the renovation involves a careful facade restoration and a full building renovation and rooftop addition.

During the hearing, AYON Studio’s Principal, Angel Ayón, shared the historic context of the building, highlighting the building’s history and development from the turn of the century to the 1970s, as well as current conditions and detailed façade studies.

Learn about the LPC public hearing on our website:
https://www.ayonstudio.com/news/260-lenox-avenue-approved-at-lpc-public-hearing

05/14/2026

Last Monday, May 4th, AYON Studio staff attended New York Amsterdam News’ 117th Anniversary and “Best of NYC” Reception, celebrating “Amsterdam News Readers Choice Award Winners” and the “Amsterdam News 52” unsung community leaders with prominent elected officials.

During the event AYON Studio Principal, Angel Ayón spoke about the “Reimagining This Harlem Treasure” initiative, that our firm is working on along with Jerome Haferd Studio. AYON Studio prepared a comprehensive Preservation Plan for this property, proposing interventions and treatments, that brings together building conservation, adaptive reuse, and long-term viability planning.

Angel highlighted AYON Studio’s work on historic and landmark projects throughout Harlem, the Amsterdam News’ role in shaping Black journalism in New York City, the building’s history, and opportunities for its future use.

05/12/2026

May is Preservation Month, a time to celebrate the neighborhood heritage, cultural landmarks, and historic sites that define our communities.

As a community-driven architecture firm rooted in heritage conservation and preservation advocacy, AYON Studio is proud to be a part of so many impactful landmark and cultural projects across New York City, including:

Brooklyn Museum Education Center — stewarding a cultural cornerstone for future generations

The Langston Hughes House, Harlem — restoring the home and legacy of the world-renowned poet and Harlem’s cultural history

Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church —comprehensive conservation of the landmarked 19th century site, preserving its architectural integrity for generations to come.

Learn more about our preservation work on our website: https://www.ayonstudio.com/

04/28/2026

The restoration of the Langston Hughes House was recently featured in The New York Times. AYON Studio is thrilled to partner with The National Trust for Historic Preservation ’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, and the home’s longtime owner, Dr. Beverly Prince, to preserve to preserve the home and legacy of the world-renowned poet, and Harlem’s cultural history.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is not treat the facade like any other brownstone and remove everything…Part of the goal is to reinstate the relationship of the house with Langston Hughes.” — AYON Studio principal, Angel Ayón

The preservation of The Langston Hughes House is also funded with support from The Mellon Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and The Illumination Fund.

Read the New York Times article:

The exterior of the brownstone where the famous poet lived the last 20 years of his life had deteriorated. Now the National Trust is undertaking a meticulous restoration.