Profile

Studio Cadena is an internationally recognized design and architecture practice interested in engaging contemporary life, the city and its people by designing new and captivating spaces, places and experiences for those who use them.

The studio is young, yet combines substantial experience in the US and abroad, ranging from high-level strategic planning for cities, to cultural, commercial, residential and civic projects – museums, libraries, private homes, interiors, exhibitions and furniture.

Founded by Benjamin Cadena and based in Brooklyn, the firm’s work has been published extensively and exhibited at the Center for Architecture, Espacio Odeon, Art OMI and The Storefront for Art and Architecture among others. In 2016 the studio was selected by the American Institute of Architects for its biennial New Practices NY Award and by Architect’s Newspaper among the top 50 architects in working across the US today. The studio has also received the AIANY Honor award in 2020, two golden cubes from the Art Directors Club of New York, and the Continental Prix Versailles Award from the Unesco & UIA in Paris.

Benjamin Cadena

Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Benjamin holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and Master of Architecture from the same institution. Before founding the studio, he worked at Rice+Lipka Architects, Stan Allen Architect, WORKac and Atelier Bow-Wow in New York and Tokyo.

He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, has previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Pratt, Parsons and NYIT, and has been an invited critic at Harvard University, Cooper Union, Yale, Princeton University, NJIT, The Institute, and Syracuse University. He serves as co-chair of the AIA New Practices Committee in New York

AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, Registered Architect in New York State

Studio Cadena is a MWBE certified business

Awards

2021

2020

2019

  • Prix Versailles Continental Prize, from the IUA & UNESCO

  • Time Magazine’s list of 100 World‘s Greatest Places 

  • Dezeen Awards Emerging Architect of the Year, Longlisted

  • Dezeen Awards Hospitality Project of the Year, Longlisted

  • Winner of two Golden Cubes, Art Directors Club of New York 

  • AZ Award Finalist

  • Architect’s Newspaper AN Interior 50 top architects in the US

  • Winner Van Alen Institute Flatiron Plaza Competition, New York 

2018

2016

  • AIA New York New Practices Award

2015

  • Honorable Mention, International Peace Corps Memorial Competition

  • Finalist, Chicago Architecture Foundation Competition

  • Finalist, Marfa International Multifamily Housing Competition

2013

  • Architizer A+ Awards, Special Mention, Small Living

 

Selected Press

2021

2020

2019

  • Container Magazine – Overflowing With Talent

  • Elle Decor Sweden – Project Feature Masa

  • Metropolis – Studio Cadena Uses Simple Shapes & Materials to Bold Effect

  • Business Insider – Amazing buildings for 2019

  • TIME Magazine – World Greatest Places

  • South China Morning Post – 7 amazing buildings

  • Revista AXXIS – Masa Bogota

  • AZURE – AZ Awards 2019 Winners

  • BOB Magazine – Masa Restaurant and Cafe

  • Pendulum Magazine – A Playful Yet Calm Respite From The City

  • Wideprint – Masa, Studio Cadena

  • Hinge Magazine – Project Feature

  • Hospitality Design – Masa Project Feature

  • INTERIORS – Masa Restaurant

  • Architectural Digest Latinoamérica – Diseño Sensorial

  • AN Interior – Top 50 Architects

  • Chic Haus Magazine – Geometria Inclusiva

  • Yellowtrace – Masa Bakery in Bogota by Studio Cadena

  • IDEAT – Nos 6 adresses préférées pour un hiver en pente douce

  • Travel+Leisure – Los tiempos presentes de Bogotá

  • Arquine – Over The Line

  • Yatzer – The Geometrical Playfulness of Masa Restaurant in Bogotá

  • Archinect – Interview: Simple, Playful, Ambitious

  • Arquine – Masa

  • MARU – Masa Feature

  • Elle Decor Italia – Happy Installation

  • Curve Magazine – Project Feature Masa

  • Archdaily – Masa, Studio Cadena

    2018

  • Wallpaper* – Masa — Bogotá, Colombia

  • PLOT – Masa de Studio Cadena

  • FRAME – This bakery is designed to withstand Bogotá’s perennially chilly spring

  • AD Mexico – Arquitectura geométrica en el nuevo hot spot de Bogotá

  • Artnet News – 11 Things Not to Miss in New York’s Art World

  • Dezeen – Jagged Windows Pierce Studio Cadena’s Masa

  • BLOUIN ARTINFO – Studio Cadena Happy Spread Cheer in New York

  • Architect Magazine – Masa Project Profile

  • Designboom – Studio Cadena completes Masa restaurant in Bogotá

  • The Cool Hunter – The Rise of the Designer Bakery

  • Archinect – Studio Cadena Hits All The Right Angles With Masa

  • Interio Magazine – El Nuevo Masa

  • The Spaces – Bogotá Restaurant Masa Lights Up like a Beacon

  • AD Spain – Aquí COMER pan se ha convertido en un ARTE

  • Design Milk – Studio Cadena Designs One of the World’s Most Beautiful Modern Cafes

  • Azure Magazine – 2019-Best Restaurant: Masa

  • Superfuture – Masa Cafe Opening

  • inhabitat – Triangular windows bring light and drama to a stunning Bogota bakery

  • Arquine – Happy Flatiron Installation

  • Revista Axxis – Mirando Hacia Abajo

  • Architects Newspaper – Studio Cadena’s shimmery holiday installation takes over Flatiron Plaza

  • ELLE Decor Russia – Masa Feature

  • Curbed – Feast on this highly photogenic concrete restaurant

  • AD Russia – Project Feature Masa

  • Architect’s Newspaper – Studio Cadena’s shimmery holiday installation takes over Flatiron Plaza

  • Archdaily – Studio Cadena Unveils Happy

  • Archinect – “Studio Cadena’s Happy – winner of the annual Flatiron Public Plaza Design Competition

  • Revista Axxis – Happy Project Feature

  • Dezeen – Studio Cadena’s Happy installation brightens Flatiron Plaza in New York

  • Dexigner – Happy by Studio Cadena Selected as Winner of 2019 Annual Flatiron Public Plaza

  • Bustler – Studio Cadena’s Happy

  • Architect’s Newspaper – Studio Cadena’s Happy wins Van Alen’s Flatiron Public Plaza Competition

  • Revista Habitar – Masa project feature

  • PIN–UP Magazine – A 35mm Throwback to Storefront’s 24 X 24 X 24 Summer Solstice

  • Architectural Digest – A Playful Event Uses Chairs to Create a Designer Community

    2017

  • Pidgin Journal – Tall Garden

  • Metropolis Magazine – 5×5 Exhibition Proves Architects Can Still Tackle Thorny Political Issues

  • Archdaily – 5x5 Exhibition Features 25 Provocative Models by Young Architects

  • Surface Magazine – Colombian Concept

  • Architectural Digest – Featuring Masa

  • AN Interior – Three Room Loft

2016

  • Revista EXCLAMA – La Vision Arquitectonica de Benjamin Cadena

  • Revista Axxis – Interview

  • Oculus – Profile, Studio Cadena

  • Architect’s Newspaper – AIANY’s New Practices New York exhibition features work from six emerging firms

  • El Tiempo – Profile Feature

  • Architects Newspaper – New Practices New York Winner Presentation: Studio Cadena

  • Architects Newspaper – Twenty five architects tackle five current issues with 25 models in this Illinois exhibition

  • Architects Newspaper – AIA NYNP Committee Chooses Six Emerging Firms as Winners

2015

  • CONCEPT magazine – The Long House

  • Designboom – Studio Cadena Selected as Finalist

  • Bustler – More details on Studio Cadena's Marfa Texas Housing finalist entry

2013

  • Mocoloco – Three Small Rooms

  • How Magazine – A Loft in Brooklyn

  • Dezeen – Three Small Rooms by Studio Cadena