Northern Liberties Neighbors Association

Testimonial for Onion Flats

To whom it may concern:

As President of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA), I am pleased to have the opportunity to recommend Onion Flats. Having observed and worked with Onion Flats in multiple capacities over the past 15 years, I can confidently say that Onion Flats would be an outstanding partner, uniquely qualified to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of your project.

Over the course of two decades and about 40 projects, Onion Flats has become a widely recognized innovator in multiple development areas. The firm pioneered the modern revival of the design/build approach that integrates architectural design with the construction process in an iterative manner that improves both design creativity and financial efficiency. It helped ignite the nationwide green building movement and remains a leader in Net Zero energy efficient development. And it has achieved remarkable success incorporating energy efficient design into affordable housing developments that have made it off the drawing board into reality.

Onion Flats achievements are made possible not only by the acumen of its principals Timothy McDonald, Patrick McDonald, and Howard Steinberg, but also by their deep involvement with their local communities. Tim volunteered thousands of hours of time and expertise over many years as a member of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association zoning committee, helping to review and improve private development projects in Philadelphia’s fastest-growing neighborhood. His volunteer efforts went above and beyond the norm, including the donation of hundreds of hours of pro bono architectural consulting to multiple private developers, for the sole purpose of elevating the design and functionality of the built environment in the community. Similarly, all three principals donated time, equipment, and design expertise to a $350,000 renovation and storm water management project for Liberty Lands, which is a two-acre, community owned park, playground and community garden in the center of the Northern Liberties neighborhood. And Onion Flats makes itself available, 24/7, to provide guidance to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association on any matter relating to zoning, permitting, architecture, construction, and environmental sustainability.

Finally, in my longtime role as NLNA President as well as the chair of a coalition of 17 Philadelphia civic groups, I have intensive, ongoing contact with development stakeholders across the city of Philadelphia, which has given me insight into Onion Flats’ broader reputation. These stakeholders include members of City Council; developers; leaders of other civic groups; zoning and land use attorneys; principals at architecture and design firms; the city’s Planning Commissioners; the Commissioners of the Departments of Licenses and Inspections, Streets, and Water; the heads of urban design programs at the University Pennsylvania and Drexel University; and officers in the Philadelphia American Institute of Architects and Building Industry Association. 

From these myriad interactions I have learned of Onion Flats’ reputation as an architecture firm, a builder, a community partner, a financial and project manager, a communicator of ideas both theoretical and technical, and a navigator of bureaucracy. I can attest that the NLNA’s opinion of Onion Flats is shared across Philadelphia. The firm is universally known, and the mere mention of its name in association with any project inspires confidence. I do not exaggerate when I say I have never heard a negative word spoken about the firm. Onion Flats’ reputation is peerless, and well-earned. 

I recommend Onion Flats without reservation or qualification. The City of Newark will be a better place for their involvement in this project.

Sincerely,

Matt Ruben, President, NLNA