2026 Ones to Watch - Industry Leaders: Daniel Kohn, AIA, LEED AP, Urbahn Architects

“Dan is one of the leading national experts in the design of healthcare facilities for persons in custody. He has grown Urbahn’s practice in this market sector, while serving as a mentor to young professionals at our firm. While leading his teams, he is particularly focused on guiding young architects on the critical importance of effective contract documents for architectural projects.” 

How do you inspire, motivate, or mentor others within your organization?

I am especially interested in training and mentoring our staff to provide high quality contract drawings and specifications, as this is critical to the successful execution of our clients’ projects. I have given training sessions to our whole office on the basic principles and best practices behind effective contract documents for architectural projects. The rest of the training on this subject happens organically over the course of working with teams on projects.

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community?

I am proud of our role as designers for New York City’s Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit (OTxHU) program, which will improve the level of care provided to persons in custody in the city’s jail system. The program collocates secure healthcare units at existing city hospitals. In a collaboration with Array Architects, Urbahn provided correctional design services for the recently opened Bellevue OTxHU in Manhattan. Balancing healthcare, security and restrictions of working within an existing hospital was especially challenging. We are currently working on another OTxHU facility in Brooklyn.

What daily habit or routine helps you stay focused or motivated as a leader?

Perusing architecture and design publications. It’s the love for design that keeps me motivated.