Ricardo’s technical skills as an architectural designer are only eclipsed by his genuine passion for high design. Ricardo has delivered projects as wide-ranging as a $5 million pedestrian bridge for the City of New York, the adaptive reuse of a historic firehouse into a LEED certified community art center, and a fit-out for a multi-award-winning flagship retail interior. He has worked closely with clients as diverse as New York City’s School Construction Authority (SCA), well funded private clients, and nonprofit entities. Whilst being familiar with the red-tape requirements of such agencies as NYC Office of General Services (OGS), he maintains a commitment to applying the rules of smart design learned in the architectural studio.
Although Ricardo doesn't always know the answer, he always knows how to ask the right question to the right person; his resourcefulness and abilities to problem-solve are second to none. As a well-rounded designer, he has the experience and fervor to move forward a conviction toward sophistication, innovation in design, and comprehensive project delivery.
Currently Ricardo manages the design and construction of interior fit-outs for various federal agencies via a 5-year position with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Ricardo represents the client during design and construction to ensure that the American People receive the highest quality interior for a fair price. These projects vary in size but are typical between $300K and $1M. Although his true passion lies in being a designer, an opportunity that allows for program development from the client’s side (prior to the design professional’s involvement) and further build’s Ricardo’s understanding of real-world assembly practices and construction experiences must not be passed-up.
U. S. General Services Administration, Northeast and Caribbean Region, New York, NY, US, Construction Manager
CSA Group Architects & Engineers, New York, NY, US, Architectural Designer
Assemble schematic and construction documents including written specifications.
Resolve matters through direct client contact, site visits, agency meetings and consultant coordination.
Perform construction administration including answering RFIs, reviewing change-order proposals, and scheduling.
• Key Project: Schematic and LEED design for major rehabilitation of historic firehouse into a community center.
• Key Project: All schematic and architectural deliverables for $9M pedestrian bridge for the City of New York.
• Extra Curricular Directives: Office-wide LEED training, Corporate-wide Planning and Employee Certifications
Gruskin Group, Springfield, NJ, US, Designer
Assembled schematic designs and full construction deliverables for high-end retail interiors.
• Key Project: Retail interior for a historic 3-building assemblage in Boston’s historic district.
• Key Project: Construction drawings for multi-award winning retail interior in New York City.
Video Art Productions, Pembroke Pines, FL, US, Lead Videographer
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Masters, Construction Technologies and Project Management
Enhanced my architectural knowledge with studies in cost estimating and scheduling, historic preservation techniques, constriction law, infrastructure and land use planning.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), BArch, New Jersey School of Architecture
• Provost Fellowship Award for Excelled Academic Performance 2007
• Dean’s List during All Years of Study 2003 - 2007
Award of Merit, Retail Design Institute, Award
Award of merit, awarded to the Gruskin Group for the design of the FiOS Flagship Retail Store for which I provided all of the architectural construction drawings while working under Ken Gruskin.
Honorable Mention, AIA Newark & Suburban, Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention, awarded to the Gruskin Group for the design of the FiOS Flagship Retail Store for which I provided all of the architectural construction drawings while working under Ken Gruskin.
Honorable Mention, NJSoA school-wide Automobile Dealership Design Competition, Honorable Mention
Nominated for Dean's Award, NJSoA school-wide Design Competition, Nomination
Honorable Mention, NJSoA school-wide Masonry Build Competition, Honorable Mention
