“We worked with In and Tim of ChoShields Studio on our Passive House project in Manhattan. I was a newbie in the field of Passive House, but In and Tim patiently walked and guided us through this process. Not only did they design a beautiful building, but like magicians, they made an old dinosaur of a brownstone into an energy efficient, modern, and elegant townhouse. They were also brilliant in managing all the engineering challenges and building issues, and negotiating with vendors and the Department of Buildings, which is no mean feat.
I would use them again for our next building project because they have pulled off a difficult renovation and converted me to the pleasures of living in a Passive House.
Thank you ChoShields for a job well executed and a fabulous result.”
– Sudha & Anil Sahai, Gramercy Townhouse, Manhattan
“We at Eagle Construction Group would like to compliment and Thank You on this "Passive House" project AT 206 East 20Th Street. The both of you together have done a "Class A" job on this project.
Our experience with you and your team from the beginning to this point has been a positive one. You guys have been prompt, knowledgeable, friendly, and promised nothing that you didn't deliver.
We came in as con1ractors in this project with little to NO knowledge of the "Passive House" built out, but thanks to you and your team, we are leaving as professionals in this type of work.
We appreciate your professionalism and dedication to your projects and clients.”
– Lu Nicaj, Eagle Contracting
ChoShields Studio has our fullest endorsement as an architectural firm. Our contracting company has been involved in several successful projects with In and Tim since 2003. We very much enjoyed working with ChoShields Studio so much that when we decided to develop a lot of our own, we hired them without hesitation. Our biggest praise for ChoShields Studio is that their planning and design are done with a real understanding of how the build-out can be achieved efficiently and sensibly in the field. In our many years in business we have dealt with some architects who can draw pretty plans but are unable to explain or assist with how to achieve their designs in the real world and ChoShields Studio is definitely not in that category.
– Andi Tocaj, Diesel Contracting
“ChoShields offers an extraordinary combination of technical expertise, creative vision, and personal charm. In and Tim guided us through a gut renovation of our Upper West Side apartment that resulted in a space that has inspired, soothed, and invigorated us continually for over six years now. They really care about what they do, and it shows in the extremely high quality of their work. They are also a true pleasure to spend time with. Since the renovation, we have counted them among our good friends.”
We recommend ChoShields with unrestrained enthusiasm!
– Brandt Johnson and Ellen Jovin, The Ansonia, 2109 Broadway, New York City
“When we needed help converting our Williamsburg raw loft space, it was our good fortune to find In Cho and Tim Shields. They helped us create an environment that is both stunning and livable. They were utterly positive forces throughout the process, supervising, assisting, advising and advocating. Based on their keen understanding of use of space, they suggested features we never would have imagined. They helped us maintain the open sweep of the place while creating comfortable areas that make sense for our lives. Mostly, they listened. They spent a great deal of time hearing what we wanted, and understanding how we live; constantly offering ideas, but including us and being collaborative in every way. We could not be more pleased with the space we ended up with or the Cho-Shields team that helped us get there.”
– Alice Shechter and Lee Ornati
“Tim and In are simply the BEST! Always available, always patient and always.... RIGHT! It was a privilege to renovate with ChoShields and Iam certain we will remain in touch until our next project when... they will be our first call!”
– Jennifer Shannon
“I met Tim Shields and In Cho of ChoShields Studio in 2012, when I was part of a volunteer effort to beautify one neglected block in our neighborhood here in Brooklyn. We had launched a city-wide design contest, and the jury -- of local business owners, block associations, and elected officials -- chose Tim and In's proposal as the winner from nearly two dozen entries.
Three years later, New York City is building a public plaza on our block, based largely on Tim and In's original concept. It's been a long haul, involving many Community Board presentations, long efforts to raise funds from elected officials and neighbors, and organizing crews of people to do things like install tree guards and plant daffodil bulbs -- and Tim and In have been unflagging in their enthusiasm. They've hosted community meetings in their offices, they've put together public presentations, they've gone out to meeting after meeting with NYC DOT and with City Council staff. They have literally come out in the middle of sleet storms to bolt 2" x 4"s together. They're flexible enough to get a project done no matter the constraints and persistent enough to see it through.
They're also very easy people to be friends with. I'd recommend them to anyone.”
– Rudy Delson
“I have worked with CHOSHIELDS on repeated occasions. Thanks to their design vision, the original raw space of my loft has been transformed into a beautiful and functional space. I truly love my home.”
– Edith Palmer