William Gati was the
- President of the Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
- contributing writer and editor of "The Column" and Headed all the Committees
- Board Member of the NYS American Institute of Architects - Co-Chair of the "Spring Symposium"
- Vice Chair of the Queens Professional Design Center
- Head of the Buildings and Grounds for 422 Weaver Street
- Listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science and Industry, Who's Who in the East and Who's Who in Business and Industry
- Appeared on TV - FOX 5 News - Segment on Real Estate


The Nezir Residence in Whitestone, NY is completed
- Bill Gati was the Architect and Construction Administrator.

Dr. Malik's House in Bayside Gables, NY is completed
- Bill Gati was the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Battaglia Residence in Broad Channel, NY is completed
- Bill Gati was the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Blue Streak Wine Gallery in LIC, NY is completed
- Bill Gati was the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Dr. Mary G. Dental Office is completed in Bayside, NY
- Bill Gati was the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Dr. Larry Blum Medical Center in Kew Gardens, NY is nearing completion
- Bill Gati is the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Bill and Sushma Rich Residence in Middle Village, Queens is under construction
- Bill Gati is the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Yoga Room in LIC, NY is under construction
- Bill Gati is the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Sunnyside Gardens Condominiums in Sunnyside NY is in design
- Bill Gati is the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Norcor multi-use Office Complex in Jackson Heights, NY is in design
- Bill Gati is the Architect and Construction Administrator.

The Woodhaven Rezoning Proposal is under review
- Bill Gati is the Urban Planner

Article Published in New York Real Estate Journal

The economy seems to be of primary concern to most people these days and of grave concern to the construction and real estate industry in particular. How can we protect ourselves from the potential harm caused and possibly even take advantage of this rare phenomenon? One of my personal interests is in investing in the stock market and I have noticed that most large US corporations are not doing well at the moment. The sectors that have withstood the downturn the best are healthcare and federal government. How can this inform my decision making as an architect in NYC and involved in a diverse practice? How can I let others in the industry know what is going down the pike to assist them in making long term decisions? I will lay out a five point approach to staving off economic destruction in this turbulent market.
1 – Diversify your exposure to the market. I work in health care and condominium development primarily but will also design schools, private residences and even back-flow devices; which respond to strong government regulations. We have a strong emphasis on Building Department compliance and are presently working on submissions to Landmarks and City Planning: when the economy tanks, government regulations increase, so there is always work in the compliance sector. We also serve as expert witnesses in architecture and construction litigation. Of all the areas, I still feel that condominium development in NYC is strongest.
2 – Hire staff that is absolutely necessary to get the job done and let go of people who do not contribute to the bottom line. I have been very fortunate to surround myself with great talent and motivated people who are prepared for the work set before them. I also find that daily meetings to discuss strategy and clarify objectives are extremely helpful. The process of hiring new people when needed is vital to maintaining productivity and a competitive edge in this market. I am constantly interviewing and meeting with new talent in case they will be needed in the future.
3 – Upgrade to the latest and most appropriate technology. I buy new computers and update our software regularly. Cell phones and PDA’s also need to be updated since they are constantly improved upon. I also take the time to learn how to use the technology to make it useful to my specific needs. I just purchased a wireless, portable printer that runs on rechargeable batteries. This device can come in very handy when negotiating a contract with a client or filing paperwork with the City – the need to go back to the office and print out a document is greatly reduced.
4 – Maintain and improve on competence and ethics within the firm and in professional relationships. Honesty and integrity are not optional but absolutely necessary across the board. I believe that many corporations are surviving and thriving in this market because they kept their accounting in order, saw that things were getting bad and tightened their belts early on in this downturn. I personally realized that inquiries and the kind of projects we were asked to bid on changed considerably last year and as a result, I started taking on work that was less glamorous and profitable in order to keep busy during tough times. We have a high standard for taking on new work – study the project carefully, prepare a detailed proposal, sign a complete and carefully drafted contract and abide by our agreement.
5 – Practice team building and co laboring with all parties involved. Interpersonal relationships and maintaining a positive outlook are vital to getting the job done. When things get tough, the tough get going. Every interaction with people needs to be handled in a positively stimulating manner. Clarifying, explaining and understanding are necessary in avoiding legal problems and accidents. When the relationships between the parties are healthy and peaceful, the work progresses quickly and efficiently: saving time and money while maintaining safety and aesthetics.
Twenty-five years of private practice has taught me many things – a lot more than can be summarized in a short article. I am always open to mentor and learn from others on their quest to achieving satisfaction through hard times and good times alike - so feel free to contact me: wgati@architecturestudio.com.