About Tong Dong Architects: Crafting Your Sanctuary in the Heart of the City

Queenie Tong, NYC licensed architect and founder of Tong Dong Architects.

I’m Queenie Tong, a licensed NYC residential architect and the founder of Tong Dong Architects. When I founded this practice in 2021 in Queens, New York, it wasn't just a business move; it was a response to a realization we all shared. As the world shifted and our four walls became our entire universe, it became undeniably clear that our homes are the ultimate foundation for our health.

I’ve always seen architecture as more than just steel, glass, and wood. To me, a home should function like a living organism, a garden that needs the right balance of light, air, and nutrients to help its inhabitants flourish.

My mission is to help families like yours achieve a healthy home renovation that prioritizes long-term well-being without ever sacrificing the sophisticated style you deserve.

Queenie Tong, RA, NCARB

From Big Spaces to Personal Sanctuaries

My journey to becoming an NYC apartment and townhouse renovation architect started at Columbia University, where I earned my Master of Architecture. From there, I spent 16 years working within the high-pressure environments of globally recognized firms. I worked on schools at SOM, hotels at OMA, and office fit-outs at Gensler. Those experiences gave me a strong technical foundation across complex project types, but I found myself yearning for a more intimate connection to the spaces I created.

I wanted to see how a sunlit corner could change a morning routine or how improved acoustics could help a family finally find quiet in a city that never sleeps. Today, I bring that high-level technical expertise to a more personal studio setting. By specializing in sustainable residential design in NYC, I offer my clients the best of both worlds: the precision of a global firm with the warmth and dedication of a boutique partner.

Why Wellness-First Design is the Future of Living

We spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors. If our homes aren't designed to support our biology, they can inadvertently become sources of stress or even illness. This is why I lead every project with a wellness-first mindset. Whether we are tackling a complex NYC townhouse renovation or a clever small apartment renovation in NYC, the goal is always the same: to create a space that helps you recharge.

When we think about a wellness home renovation, we look at the invisible factors. For instance, did you know that indoor air can often be more polluted than the air outside? As part of our design process, we focus on how to improve indoor air quality in home renovations through advanced ventilation systems like Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). These systems act like the "lungs" of your home, constantly filtering out pollutants and bringing in fresh, oxygenated air while maintaining energy efficiency.

The Power of Non-Toxic Materials

One of the most impactful choices we make together is the selection of materials. In a typical non-toxic materials renovation, we move away from products that "off-gas" harmful chemicals (VOCs) into your living space. I’ve found that many of my clients are surprised to learn how traditional paints, glues, and floor finishes can impact their respiratory health over time.

I treat the selection of materials like choosing the ingredients for a healthy meal. We look for:

Natural stone and sustainably harvested wood.
Zero-VOC paints and mineral-based finishes.
Formaldehyde-free cabinetry.
Natural fibers for insulation and textiles.

By making these choices, we aren't just building a beautiful kitchen or bedroom; we are investing in a space that supports your longevity and vitality.

Bringing Nature In: Biophilic Design in the Urban Jungle

Living in New York City often means being disconnected from the natural world. This is where biophilic design apartment principles become essential. Biophilia is our innate human tendency to seek connections with nature, and I’ve found that incorporating these elements into urban homes significantly reduces cortisol levels and boosts creativity.

For a small apartment renovation in NYC, this might mean strategically placing mirrors to bounce natural light into a dark hallway or using a color palette inspired by the changing seasons. In larger projects, we might integrate living walls or ensure every room has a direct visual connection to greenery. We want your home to feel like an extension of the natural world, a place where you can feel the rhythm of the day through shifting shadows and soft, organic textures.

A Mother’s Perspective on Healthy Living

My "why" became deeply personal when I became a mother. Suddenly, I wasn't just looking at floor plans; I was looking at the world through the eyes of a child who spent hours playing on the floor. I started paying much closer attention to the hidden toxins in our environments and how they affect developing bodies.

This shift turned my practice into a vital resource for families. I know that as a parent, you want to provide the best possible start for your children. A healthy home renovation is an investment in their future. Working together, we create spaces that are safe, durable, and inspiring, places where your family can truly belong.

Navigating the NYC Renovation Journey with Clarity

Let’s be honest: renovating in New York City can feel like a daunting maze. From Department of Buildings (DOB) permits to Co-op board approvals and the nuances of landmarked buildings, there are a thousand moving parts. My job is to handle the complexity so you don't have to.

I pride myself on a jargon-free process. I believe that communication should be as seamless as the design itself. Whether you are planning an NYC townhouse renovation or updating a studio, I guide you through every step, ensuring you understand the "why" behind every decision. We focus on long-term value, choosing solutions that won't just look good today but will continue to serve you ten or twenty years down the line.

Movement, Rhythm, and Design

Outside of my life as an architect, my background in dance continues to influence my work. I see floor plans as a choreography of daily life. How do you move from the kitchen to the dining table? How does the light dance across the floor in the late afternoon? By designing for movement and rhythm, we create homes that feel effortless and intuitive.

If you’re ready to transform your current space into a sunlit, airy, and non-toxic sanctuary, I would love to hear from you. Your home is the most important investment you will ever make, and it should be a place that supports your best life every single day.

Ready to Start Your Wellness Journey?

The path to a beautiful, healthy home doesn't have to be overwhelming. I’ve developed two specific resources to help you gain the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

If you are just starting to dream and want to understand the landscape of an NYC project, I invite you to download my Calm Renovation Starter Kit. This free resource is designed to help you map your renovation path, define your project scope, and start thinking like a wellness-first designer.

For families who are ready to dive in and want a proven system to manage their project from start to finish, the Calm Renovation Clarity for Families program is your complete NYC Renovation Operating System. It includes the exact templates, scripts, and frameworks I use in my own practice to ensure every project stays on track and on budget.

You can learn more about my background on our Our Story page or explore our work at our UWS Townhouse project. When you're ready to talk about your specific vision, please get in touch.

How could a home designed for your well-being change the way you feel tomorrow morning? Let's find out together.