Business Details
10 Years
experience
Your Trusted Landscape Architecture Partner in NYC
SWA/Balsley is a global collective of landscape architects, planners, and urban designers dedicated to building community, nurturing ecosystems, and connecting people with nature. For decades, we have specialized in creating resilient, innovative public spaces that serve as essential infrastructure for cities. Our work bridges the built and natural worlds, addressing critical challenges like climate resilience, urban equity, and ecological health. Located in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood with views of the Empire State Building, our studio draws inspiration from daily urban life to inform designs that balance functionality with emotional resonance. We specialize in transforming streets, parks, plazas, and waterfronts into multi-benefit spaces that provide recreational value, stormwater management, and environmental restoration.Our portfolio spans over 100 projects in New York City alone, including award-winning waterfronts, parks, and urban design initiatives. As successors to Thomas Balsley Associates, we build on a legacy of design excellence while embracing new technologies and methodologies. Our 100% employee-owned model fosters collaboration across independent studios, ensuring diverse perspectives inform every project. We champion urban identity and civic values through iconic public spaces at all scales, from neighborhood parks to regional master plans. Our commitment to sustainable design excellence positions us as leaders in shaping livable, equitable cities for future generations.
Services
Landscape Design
Urban Planning
Waterfront Development
Park Design
Plaza Architecture
Sustainable Infrastructure
Master Planning
Ecological Restoration
Public Space Design
Stormwater Management
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in urban landscape design
- Our team includes certified landscape architects with global expertise
- We prioritize sustainable and community-focused solutions
- Our 100% employee-owned model fosters collaborative innovation
- We've completed more than 100 public space projects in NYC alone
Services
Landscape Design
We create functional, sustainable outdoor environments that enhance urban ecosystems. Our landscape design services integrate ecological principles with human-centered design to transform public spaces. From conceptual planning to implementation, we deliver multi-benefit solutions that improve community well-being and environmental resilience.
Waterfront Development
Specializing in transforming industrial waterfronts into vibrant public amenities. Our approach combines ecological restoration with recreational infrastructure while addressing climate adaptation needs. Projects feature resilient design elements that manage storm impacts while creating accessible riverfront spaces for urban populations.
Urban Planning
We shape cities through comprehensive planning that balances development with sustainability. Our urban design services create walkable, equitable public realms that foster social interaction and economic vitality. We address transportation, housing, and infrastructure needs within ecological constraints to build livable urban environments.
Park Design
Designing dynamic parks that serve as urban green infrastructure. Our parks incorporate recreational facilities, biodiversity habitats, and climate adaptation features. We create spaces that connect communities while providing environmental benefits like stormwater management and urban cooling.
Sustainable Infrastructure
We develop landscape-based infrastructure solutions that address environmental challenges. Our green infrastructure services integrate natural systems with urban functionality, including permeable surfaces, bioswales, and multi-use ecological corridors that manage stormwater while enhancing public spaces.
People
Tom Balsley
Co-Managing Principal
With decades of experience in urban design, Tom Balsley pioneers landscape architecture that bridges ecology and human experience through award-winning public spaces in New York and globally.
Abdallah Labib
Co-Managing Principal
As co-leader of SWA/Balsley's NYC studio, Abdallah Labib focuses on innovative urban design solutions that address climate resilience and social equity through landscape architecture.
Questions
What types of projects does SWA/Balsley specialize in?
We specialize in landscape architecture and urban design projects including parks, waterfronts, plazas, and sustainable infrastructure across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.
How long has SWA/Balsley been operating in NYC?
The firm has operated as SWA/Balsley since 2016, continuing a legacy that began with Thomas Balsley Associates in New York City.
What makes your approach to urban design unique?
We view landscape as critical infrastructure, combining ecological systems with human needs to create multi-benefit spaces that address climate resilience and community well-being.
Do you handle projects outside New York City?
While based in NYC, we complete projects globally, including recent work in Dubai, Moscow, Shanghai, and major US cities like Atlanta and Portland.
What sustainability certifications do your projects pursue?
Our designs integrate sustainable practices like stormwater management and native planting, though we prioritize functional sustainability over specific certification frameworks.
