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Lenka Ilic

Lenka Ilic

New York-licensed architect and Principal of Lenka Ilic Architecture D.P.C., founder of Apartment Renovation NYC, a Manhattan-based firm specializing in apartment renovations.

Aug 29, 2026

9:58
you're specifically talking about the design for like an actual renovation not just changing the paint color on the wall but actually knocking down a wall or or redoing an entire bathroom or kitchen that's where the
10:12
line is so okay right so an architect needs to be engaged when there is a new partition in scope of work, when you're removing in New York City more than 45 square feet of non-load-bearing partition as well, when There are changes to a floor plan layout.
10:32
It triggers air and light code clauses.
10:35
It triggers minimum habitable versus occupiable spaces.
10:40
It's a lot of code triggered with a floor plan layout.
10:43
So for those changes, you would need an architect or an engineer.
10:47
I'm talking interior design services such as decorative lighting, such as a furniture floor plan layout or such, or selecting a color or a tile specific, stuff like that.

21 MINS LATER

32:26
So how how is it that there is no
10:15
kitchen, do-it-yourself
10:16
bathroom.
10:18
This is how you do it.
10:19
Tons of YouTube clips.
10:21
So I think that's like on the surface level, some interpretation.
10:26
If we wanna scratch a little deeper in the industry, I would say, and here's the catch.
10:33
Here's why we started this specialized department.

10 MINS LATER

20:21
So that's why I'm asking you, Have you guys considered joining them instead of beating them?
13:45
How did the builders find out about you? Why were they sending you leads?
13:50
So, um, I think it's the word of mouth mostly, because builders...
13:57
Okay, that's a very good question.
13:58
I think maybe it's good time to open, uh, this door of our conversation that talks about, uh, false advertising by builders, and it's, it, it's rather spectacular, and it's a pandemic of it.
14:17
So build...
14:17
What happens, it's a very simple...
14:19
I'm gonna try to simplify this, and please stop me if I'm getting too into technical or, or professional terminology so that the people can understand that they're watching.

20 MINS LATER

34:44
Okay

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