The partnership expands the firm’s resources while maintaining the team, relationships, and commitment that have defined its work for more than three decades.
August 2026 — Michael Shilale Architects (MSA), a longtime architectural partner to school districts, BOCES campuses, public institutions, and community organizations throughout the region, is beginning a new chapter in a strategic partnership with RKTB Architects.
MSA was founded on the belief that buildings have a tremendous impact on people. The firm’s earliest work created spaces for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, establishing a responsibility that continues today: to elevate the human experience through architecture.
Over more than three decades, that mission has brought MSA into many of the schools and public institutions that are central to life in our region. The firm has worked with educational clients to address complex facility needs, improve learning environments, protect public investments, and create buildings that serve students, educators, and communities well.
Recent work includes the nearly completed $22 million energy performance contract for Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES and the new state-of-the-art athletic facilities at North Rockland High School. Together, these projects reflect the breadth of MSA’s educational work, from large-scale infrastructure and energy improvements to facilities designed around student health, performance, and experience.
Joining RKTB gives MSA additional resources to continue and expand this work. The MSA staff that clients know and trust will remain at the center of their projects, now supported by RKTB’s broader team, scalable staffing, technical resources, and complementary public-sector experience.
“This next chapter allows us to build upon the relationships and purpose that have guided MSA from the beginning,” said Michael Shilale, AIA, LEED, CPHC, founder of Michael Shilale Architects. “Our clients will continue working with partners Michael Shilale, AIA, LEED, CPHC & John Cirilli, AIA, LEED, AP, along with staff, with the added support and resources of RKTB behind them. It gives us the ability to take on more ambitious work while remaining responsive, personal, and accountable.”
The partnership brings together two New York architecture firms with extensive experience navigating the technical, regulatory, financial, and operational demands of public-sector projects. For BOCES and school-district clients, it provides greater capacity across planning, design, project delivery, sustainability, and long-term capital improvement work.
“MSA brings decades of educational experience and trusted relationships to our team,” said Peter Bafitis, AIA, Principal of RKTB Architects. “Our firms share a belief that architecture must respond to the people who use it and the communities it serves. We look forward to carrying that responsibility forward together.”
While the firm is evolving, the purpose behind its work remains unchanged. MSA will continue helping educational and public-sector clients solve complex building needs, reduce environmental impact, make thoughtful use of public resources, and create places that support the people who rely on them every day.
