Toby O’Rorke

Brian Messana and Toby O’Rorke, courtesy of Messana O’Rorke.

Firm : Messana O’Rorke.

Location : New York, NY.

Honors : Interior Design Best of Year Awards; AIA New York State and New York Chapter awards.

Bio : Toby O’Rorke established Messana O’Rorke with Brian Messana in 1996. The principles share equally in the creative output of the office, in addition, O’Rorke is responsible for project management and production, including construction documentation, consultant contracting and administration, technical coordination, code compliance and construction administration services.

Toby O’Rorke’s professional career started in London at the Greater London Council Department of Architecture where among other projects he worked on the award wining Coin Street Development in Waterloo and the Newham Magistrates Court. In 1987 he worked in Australia for Ancher Mortlock and Woolley on the Victoria State Library and Museum. O’Rorke moved to New York City in 1989 where he subsequently worked with a number of different firms including Margaret Helfand Architects, where he produced construction documents for an Academic building at Swathmore College, with Henry Myerburg Architect he worked on various projects including fashion showrooms and restaurants and a library for Bryn Marw College, with Thierry Despont Ltd. where he produced construction documents for the Bill Gates Residence in Seattle and with Polo Ralph Lauren where he was involved in commercial retail development, including fixture design for Collection, Polo Sport and Home.

O’Rorke is a registered British Architect and is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He received his architectural education at Oxford Polytechnic in the United Kingdom where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1985 and his Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture in 1989. During his Diploma he spent six months at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Alexandria, Virginia.

Completed Projects :

For Malin + Goetz, the Secret to Retail Success Lies in Their Fiercely Loyal Architects

Organic Touches and Sleek Minimalism Find Harmony in an Upper West Side Apartment

Messana O’Rorke Designs Factory Loft for Young Clients

A New Order: Messana O’Rorke Designs A Restrained NY Townhouse

Fashion’s Tribe: Messana O’Rorke Gut Renovates Chelsea High-Rise Apartment

High Style in Pacific Heights: Messana O’Rorke Combines Two San Francisco Cottages