I’m an architect with over 10 years of professional experience, in virtually all areas of architecture practice but with a particular talent and passion for the architecture of interiors. I’m specialized in luxury/high-end commercial/retail and residential projects. I’m a versatile architect able to apply the most rigorous standards when required and able to improvise when circumstances demand it.
I’m a creative designer, an effective collaborator and a capable manager. I’m a confident and articulate communicator, able to distill complex ideas for a variety of projects stakeholders.
My designs express a contemporary classicism, emphasizing the power of balance and proportion to create an environment of calm, ease and even playfulness. My designs are clean but also contextual, acknowledging their surroundings and local values.
I have been involved in number of major projects including the ground-up 520 W. 28th Street condo (Zaha Hadid’s first project in NYC) and the complete renovation of 1 West 37th Street the headquarters of Luxottica, the global eyewear corporation. The building includes retail/showrooms and offices. My responsibilities covered all phases of the projects, including schematic design, design development, construction drawings, construction administration and management. Areas of Expertise:
Ismael Leyva Architects, PC, New York, NY, US, Project Architect
Member of a 100-architect office serving as architect of record and designer for luxury high rise, hospitality, and education buildings in NYC and internationally.
Work remotely. Strategize and produce design options for all phases of the project, including schematic design, design development (DD), construction drawings (CD), construction administration (CA) and management.
Generate project schedules, monitor and track milestones, design and draft using software such as Revit and AutoCAD.
Coordinate interaction among clients, design architects, consultants, and vendors to satisfy client requirements and ensure code compliance. Projects include:
• 468 State Street, a new development in downtown Brooklyn consisting of two residential towers and a school. ILA architect of record for the school, one of the first passive-house buildings in the city. Create design solutions incorporating strict school construction guidelines and neighborhood history and character. Work on DD and CD phases.
ArchiMEDE, Eddy Medeghini design, New York, NY, US, Freelance Architectural and Interior Designer
Design interior architecture and oversee all phases of projects from schematic design to project completion. Serve as a project and construction manager. Carry out feasibility and financial studies. Projects include:
• Remodeling of a Chelsea Co-op apartment, NYC
• Creating a pop art comics mural for Da Claudio Restaurant in the Financial District, NYC
• Gut renovation of a 600 SF 1BD condo apartment close to Portofino, Italy
• Gut renovation of a 1,400 SF Duplex apartment in Stresa, Italy, merging 2 units via interior elevator.
Luxottica Group, NEW YORK, Sr. Design and Construction Manager
Adapted and executed architectural designs for Design-Build projects of Luxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company.
Produced drawings, designs, construction documents, site sketches, and mark ups. Supervised on-site construction and schedule management. Ensured adherence to budget and schedule. Provided customer service and managed client expectations, working in a multilingual context. Projects included:
• 1 West 37th Street (on 5th Ave) Oversaw gut renovation for Luxottica’s headquarters in NYC. Managed the 3-year process of designing and constructing a high-end facility in an occupied and active 44,000 SF 12-floors building. Developed design solutions, sketches and construction documents. Interacted with Luxottica management and construction companies. Coordinated activity with architects, engineers, consultants and vendors. Reviewed and approved applications for payment and change orders. Managed schedules and budgets. Achieved a high degree of perfection of both design and execution.
• Sunglass Hut /Oliver People/Lens crafter Stores Managed installation of a 20-foot corner billboard at the flagship store in Time’s Square, NYC. Provided design solutions and “punch lists” for various retail stores.
Ismael Leyva Architects, New York, Project Architect
Promoted from Job captain to Project architect. Projects included:
• 520 West 28th Street, Zaha Hadid's first project in New York. Participated in the DD, CD and CA phases for the 150,000 SF, 21-story high-end condo. Led a team of five in all phases of three related projects – a theatre, an art gallery and a restaurant – including schematic design, DD, CD, CA, surveys and site visits.
• 196 Orchard Street, 30,000 SF commercial (Equinox) and 80,000 SF residential high-end condo in LES-NYC designed by ILA office. Participated in DD and CD phases in collaboration with interior designers, engineering team, façade consultants and Equinox design team.
• 500 West 30th Street, a luxury residential building designed by Robert Stern. Ensured compliance of the apartment spaces with Code and ADA guidelines. Performed surveys, on-site visits and drafting.
• 23 Wall Street, landmark building re-designed by Philip Stark. Worked on the conversion of the first 11 floors from offices to commercial and luxury retail (Hermes). Took part in bidding and DOB documentation.
Daniel O'Connor Architects, New York, NY, US, Design Project Manager
Performed hands-on projects in an architecture boutique firm environment.
Started as Intermediate architect and promoted to Project manager. Involved in survey, schematic design, DD, Bidding, CD, DOB drawings, and 3D rendering models. Conducted dynamic presentations and website displays creating a positive client experience. Exhibited excellent communication skills with development of quality relationships throughout project execution. Collaborated with office teams, clients, contractors, and consultants. Projects included:
• Makers and Merchants, Brooks Brothers’ 15,000 SF, 3-story luxury restaurant, including 3 bars, 1 brasserie, 3 dining rooms, and a ball room, located in a landmark building in Midtown, NYC. Involved in schematic design, DD, bidding, DOB and CD phases.
• Hospitality projects: several bars, restaurants and clubs in New York. Involved from the survey to the CA.
• Residential projects: luxury one-family residences in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Involved from the survey to the CA.
CAZA, Brooklyn, NY, US, Intermediate architect
Team member in a design architecture firm environment.
Leveraged knowledge of architecture and design to present highly creative designs to various clients. Projects included design for a mall and business center in Manila and a luxury hotel and building facilities for a Philippine airport. Involved in schematic design, model, 3D models, DD phase, and drafting activities.
Vittorio Grassi Architetto and Partners, Milan, IT - Paris, France, Junior architect
Strategically identified new business opportunities, connected with investors and design community. Involved in schematic design of a Miami residential tower. General activities included models, 3D models, DD phase, drafting activities and buildings’ restoration.
PIUARCH S.r.l, Milan, IT, Drafter
Participated in projects including a 431,000 SF condo complex and a 216,000 SF business center hotel, efficiently managing relationships with multiple accounts and dealers internationally.
Studio di Architettura Alfonsi - Lualdi - Carettoni, Milan, IT, Project Architect
Started part-time while attending university. Involved from initial financial strategy through construction execution and delivery to clients. Projects included:
• Restoration of a 55,000 SF landmark building in the center of Florence, including residential, offices and retails (Ferragamo)
• Restoration and expansion of 2 circa 6,500 SF Liberty Villas on Lake Como
• Restoration of a landmark 33,000 SF castle and 55,000 SF baroque gardens in northwest Italy
• Design for a ground up 26,000 SF Condo complex near the Stadium of Milan
• About 40 projects to improve residential buildings’ energy performance as part of a Green Building, sustainability and passive house focus.
