MEET AD:ROIT & THE TEAM
COMBINING THE EXCELLENCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FIRM WITH THE PERSONALIZED SERVICE OF A SMALL BUSINESS
AD:ROIT is known for joyful, innovative, and functional designs that transform homes into completely personalized sanctuaries
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
Pronounced just like the word, AD:ROIT has several layers of significance
DEFINITION
Having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness
ACRONYM
Architecture & Design:
Reinvent | Organize Inspire | Transform
MEANING
A design studio that prioritizes delivering spectacular service & deeply personal interiors
Meet Founder & Principal Designer
MADELAINE MAYER
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here; it means you're ready to leverage design to increase your creativity, productivity, and general happiness, and I'm so excited to help you on this journey.
I spent nearly 20 years working in New York City architecture & interior design firms on award-winning commercial projects (here's a list), but there was always something missing for me.
That something was you. YES REALLY. You see, when you work on big projects, you work with tons of committees, and rarely get to meet the people who will ultimately use the space. And how can you create truly personal designs for people you've never met?
Because that's what great design is for me. It's deeply personal.
I founded AD:ROIT to bring the skills, knowledge, and resources I gained from nearly two decades in the commercial design world to individual home owners. To create practical, peaceful, and unique homes for busy professionals just like you.
I've earned a lot of letters after my name
MY CREDENTIALS
RA - Registered Architect in NY & CT
NCIDQ - Nationally Certified Interior Designer
LEED AP - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional; LEED is the dominant US standard for sustainable design
WELL AP - WELL Building Standard Accredited Professional; WELL is a newer standard focused on advancing human health in the built environment
Faculty - I've taught in the MFA in Interior Design program at the New York School of Interior Design, the School of Professional Studies at New York University, and the Bachelors program at Hobart & William Smith Colleges
B.A. in Architectural Studies & Art History Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Masters of Architecture
Georgia Institute of Technology
Phi Beta Kappa - The oldest academic honor society in the US (est. 1776!)
Mensa - The original mile-high IQ club
Want to get to know me better?
FUN FACTS!
Favorite Comfort Food:
A grilled cheese sandwich or pizza. Basically melted cheese and bread.
Favorite Childhood Memory:
In 7th grade science we had to build a model of an element. I had just finished a biography of Marie Curie, so I chose uranium, atomic number 92. There are 3 themes here that are still relevant:
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Design should always be personal
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My lucky number is still 92
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Even now, my family tells me that not everything needs to be uranium
Secret Super Power:
Hailing a cab. It's like they just KNOW.
Favorite Hobbies:
Yoga and making jewelry, and I've had businesses for both since I don't know how to do anything casually (see uranium story above). I actually made all the jewelry I'm wearing in that yoga photo!
Best Choice I've Ever Made:
Adopting my sweet senior rescue pup, Buttercup. Seriously, she's the greatest.
While AD:ROIT is a young firm, I've worked on many award-winning projects in previous offices, including:
Penn State University Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Building, University Park PA - HOK
AIA Philadelphia - Sustainability Award
LEED-NC Gold Anticipated
White & Case Law Firm, New York NY - HOK
NYCxDESIGN Awards Best Corporate Office
CoreNet Global NYC Commercial Interior Project of the Year
New York Presbyterian Hospital David Koch Center, New York NY - HOK
IIDA Healthcare Design Awards - Ambulatory Cancer Center
European Healthcare Design Awards - Healthcare Design
European Healthcare Design Awards - Design Innovation for Quality Improvement
ENR New York - Best Healthcare Project
Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award
BD+C Team Award - Silver
LEED Gold
Brooklyn Academy of Music Harvey Theater Renovation, Brooklyn NY - MGA
2021 American Award for Architecture from The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies
PS 281: The River School, New York NY - MGA
LEED Silver Equivalent
NYC Green Schools
Stony Brook University Library, Southampton NY - MGA
AIA Long Island - 2011 Commendation for Outstanding Educational Design
LEED Gold
Collaborative Research Center, Rockefeller University, New York NY - MGA
SARA - 2015 Merit Award
AIA New York - 2013 Citation for Design
LEED Silver
"We recently moved into a coop that needs a bit of work. We hired Madelaine to help us update our space and change the layout for better flow. Unfortunately Covid19 put a hold on our plans to renovate. We still ended up moving in because she was able to help us work with the space we have, working with some of our existing furniture, providing ideas on furniture placement and suggesting plenty of clever storage options. We highly recommend her, she is brilliant in maximizing small place living, which for a family of four is absolutely crucial! Thank you Madelaine!!!!!"
-Carmen G.
Bronxville, New York
Meet Procurement Manager
CAROLINE KEELEY
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but moved to SE Florida 5 years ago where I now live with my husband and daughter.
What is your background?
I am a former preschool teacher and also spent time teaching English in Haiti. In 2020, I transitioned to project management for a construction company before joining a local interior design firm.. There I discovered a love for working with creative minds and supporting them throughout the design process. After becoming a mom in 2023, I started working from home and got connected with Madelaine!
What do you do at AD:ROIT?
I handle procurement management (obtaining quotes, placing & tracking orders tracking inventory, and troubleshooting damages), coordination with vendors, & administrative support.
Why do you love being a part of AD:ROIT?
Working with AD:ROIT has allowed me to do what I love while being able to stay home with my daughter. I also love watching Madelaine's projects come to life in their own special way! Each one has its own unique personality.
What's your favorite personal fun fact?
I am incredibly good at Jenga.
Meet Design Assistant & Client Concierge
CECILIA HALLIU
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand
What is your background?
I am a qualified barrister and solicitor in NZ, and worked as a professional liability litigator prior to moving to NYC.
What do you do at AD:ROIT?
In addition to coordinating logistics with clients, I act as a sounding board for design ideas with Madelaine. I also provide on-the-ground support which ranges from supervising installations to working directly with the different showrooms and suppliers based in NYC.
Why do you love being a part of AD:ROIT?
I love being involved in turning a client’s visions of their perfect home into a reality, & seeing their dream come to life.
What's your favorite personal fun fact?
My birthday is on Halloween, & I love how massive this celebration is in the US!
Meet Finance Manager
KATHRYN O'NEIL
Where are you from?
Atlanta, Ga
What is your background?
I have a background in architecture and business management..
What do you do at AD:ROIT?
I take care of all things finance and bookkeeping.
Why do you love being a part of AD:ROIT?
I love my monthly meetings with Madelaine and hearing all about the fun projects she's working on!
What's your favorite personal fun fact?
I love things in miniature!
Meet Senior Illustrator
VICTORIA SKETLENEVA
Where are you from?
I left freezing Siberia for sunny California 6 years ago. I’m known for a dramatic decision-making!:)
What is your background?
I’ve had a deep admiration of art and design since I can remember. I graduated from Art School and have a degree in Architecture.
What do you do at AD:ROIT?
I create all of the 3D illustrations that make people guess if it’s real or not.
Why do you love being a part of AD:ROIT?
Working with Madelaine is super fun and every project she does is a pure inspiration!
What's your favorite personal fun fact?
I do the Chandler Bing happy dance every time I eat something really good.
