Possesses 18 years of combined architecture and interior design experiences with hands-on construction as general contractor.
Creative designer with record of success leading projects from conception to completion, delivering quality product on time and within budget. Proficient knowledge and technical expertise in construction methods, architectural and interior design, visioning and programming, environmental graphics, hand sketches, painting, and industrial design. Collaborative communicator able to forge professional relationships with clients and other stakeholders across all levels of an organization. Fluent in Spanish and English leveraged with strong presentation, negotiation, and management skills.
Areas of Expertise
•Architectural Design •Project Management •Team Leadership
•General Contractor •Interior Design •Construction Documentation
•Client Relations •Contract Negotiations •Conceptual Design
Behar Font and Partners, Coral Gables, FL, US, Senior Designer - Project Manager
Leading architecture projects from start to finish, set the objectives, requirements, and oversee budget constraints and design with a strong grasp of both “the big picture” and “detail” issues.
High Rise Buildings: High-end Residential / Hospitality / Mixed-Use / Retail
Designing from the ground up: Parking Garage, Lobby and Retail Level, Recreational Level, 1BR to 4BR Units Levels and/or Key Rooms for hospitality with Mediterranean and Modern-Contemporary design using Concrete and Post-tensioned slabs.
Active on various roles as a Designer and Project Architect for the Design Development and Construction Documents using BIM (Revit) and/or ACAD; Project Management during Construction Administration overseeing permitting and bidding procurements with OAC meetings.
Key Leading Projects:
A stand alone ground-up building for a Retail Showroom; a 297 Units Multifamily building; a 70 key rooms Boutique-Residential Hotel, among other residential and hospitality projects.
Beame Architectural Partnership, Miami, FL, US, Architectural Designer + Project Coordinator
RESIDENTIAL, HOSPITALITY, RETAIL
Involved directly with clients for Retail base buildings and Interior Retail Design. Working directly with Project Architect and Project Manager during the initial process of Schematic Design and the Design Development with final presentations that involved physical models and 3D renderings. Projects involved: Randhurst Mall, Illinois; City Mall, Tegucigalpa, Mega Plaza, Honduras; Tampa 4 Condo Hotel among others.
Gensler, Miami, FL, US, Technical Designer
Workplace Interior design and tenant improvement for Professional and Landlord Services in the Continental US. Successfully taken on project management, marketing, and mentoring.
- Provided constructability reviews for all projects as part of in-house quality assurance team.
- Oversees Construction Documents for quality control coordination process and implementation.
- Prepare Project Manuals for on all interior tenant improvements (TI) projects.
Relevant Projects:
• MAC by ‘the Y’: Miami Athletic Club with the YMCA, Downtown, Miami. 35,000 SF Interior Renovation of a Two-Level Gymnasium:
- Collaborated with the interior design team for the design realization of the construction documents and details.
- In charge of project management during Construction Administration OAC Calls and direct alternative solutions for unexpected field conditions.
• Littler Mendelson: Single Client account with 80,000 SF of combined multiple projects nationwide.
- Played mayor role in multiple renovation projects. Successful design work led to additional contracts with the client and continuing revenues.
- Developed team resiliency with the different Gensler offices around the country to provide a complete service abroad from Miami as the main hub for design and documentation.
- Provided design packages with coordination of FF&E and MEP systems with architectural finishes.
MKDA, Miami, FL, US, Project Manager
Architectural Designer with management on Interior Tenant Improvements as well as ground up design and construction for commercial buildings in the South Florida area using BIM software for the Design Development, Construction Documentation and Construction Administration phases.
Multi tasking in virtually every aspect of a project involving direct drafting and setting up a complete set of construction plans, field visits and meeting with clients for proper coordination of bidding documents and permit sets while working together with a team for faster delivery.
Strong client relationship throughout the entire design and production process from as-built and demolition drawings to the new design intent in order to develop the design and prepare the final documents for construction. Manages full coordination and communication with the engineers, the Landlord, the Tenant and ultimately the General Contractor during negotiations and construction phases.
Oversees the General Contractor and Construction Management Firm with constant response to RFI’s, approval for submittals, city comments, unexpected field solutions, punch lists, and payment applications among others while providing a full support to the stipulated contract from Commencement of Work to Substantial Completion and Certificate of Occupancy.
- Successful design management of 50,000 SF of Spec Suites in Coral Gables.
- Coordination of construction documents with consultants and owner vendors, Permit Expeditors, Audio-Visual, Security, and Furniture.
- Implemented a fast -track approach and full coordination with the general contractor and the engineers for building systems to provide a quick turnaround of renovated spaces.
- Monitored team efforts to expedite the design and construction process for a fast Return on Investment (ROI).
Relevant Projects:
• La Puerta Del Sol” and Douglas Entrance: Building Repositioning at a National Landmark [Coral Gables, FL]
- In charge of communication with the Board of Architects for Design Implementation and Construction Documents
• 44 West Flagler: Building Repositioning - Downtown, Miami
• Wynwood Park: New Building Concept - Wynwood, Miami
- Responsible on both projects for site verifications to review existing building accessibility, code compliance and gather information for design development and construction document coordination.
G Alvarez Studio, Inc., Miami, FL, US, Project Architect
- Feasibility Studies for Residential and Commercial ground-up projects design and construction documentation.
- Tenant improvement projects including retail across the South Florida Area.
Relevant Projects:
• Glenridge Residence
- Lead Designer and Construction Document production for a ground-up 4,000 SF two-story Key Biscayne Residence
- Responsible for full coordination with the Landscape Architect, Civil / Structural / MEP Engineers.
AIR Architect, San Juan, PR, US, Architectural Designer
Relevant Projects:
• H880 – Condo-Hotel in Condado, San Juan, PR.
- Integral team member and lead designer for the multi-story building
- SketchUp 3D models for presentations
- Floor Plan development for retail ground level, Hotel key rooms, apartment units and roof top terrace.
• Banco Popular and Banco Santander - San Juan, PR
- Design Development presentations using Revit and SketchUp with FFE Selection and coordination.
• Millionair FBO and Pazos FBO – Two Airport Additions at Luis Muñoz Marin Airport (SJU), Carolina, PR.
- Responsible for the development of the Base Building and Interiors
- Collaboration with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FAA
MODERNSPACE, San Juan, PR, US, Principal + Project Manager
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL (Tenant Improvement)
Opportunity to design-build during the economic crisis that allowed me to continue my career as a designer and start a new one as a builder for ground up construction and interior renovations with project management for the multiple trades in the field where I would apply my knowledge in architecture and interior design to comply with clients expectations of a “smart” construction.
Experienced with corporate office space, Tenant Improvements, Residential Interiors, Residential and Commercial Front Facades, Outdoor Terraces and Gazebos, Swimming Pools, and building demolitions.
Projects involved: Interiors for SEARS (Plaza Las Americas), El Conquistador Hotel – Las Casitas Villas, and a three-story Interiors for a Health Clinic in Carolina, PR among others.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA, US, MArch, Architecture
School of Architecture, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, US, BArch, Architecture
