Joseph Goldstein

Joseph Goldstein, AIA, IDEC, NCARB, is the founder of JGArchitects, a firm specializing in architectural interiors, and has been teaching design studio courses at New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) since 2004. He currently instructs Contract Design I & II for undergraduate students, integrating his professional expertise in acoustics, code compliance, accessibility, sustainability, security, and lighting into the curriculum.

Goldstein emphasizes a research-driven design methodology rooted in visual/spatial inquiry through sketching and model making. His pedagogical philosophy focuses on cultivating critical thinking in students, encouraging them to begin with questions—even unanswerable ones—and apply design principles to diverse scales, from everyday objects to urban contexts. His studio environment fosters iterative exploration, enriched by guest jurors from New York City’s design community.

His professional work spans high-profile projects, including office spaces for Permanent Missions to the United Nations and corporations like Goldman Sachs, alongside cultural spaces such as the Chelsea Arts District Gallery and Cuban Art Space. He approaches client collaboration by interpreting their values through rigorous research, often involving fieldwork in countries to understand cultural and historical contexts.