JAY A. VIGOREAUX AIA Architect
“ You see things and you say ‘why?’; but I dream things that never were and I say ‘why not?’ ” - George Bernard Shaw
opposite page Opposite page -- mental Mental health health center center master master plan, plan, trujillo Trujillo alto, Alto,puerto Puerto rico Rico
JAY A. VIGOREAUX, AIA Architect PO Box 13938 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00908-3938 T. 787.593.4866 E. jvarchts@gmail.com
details Opposite page, clockwise from left: Old San Juan historic preservation project study sketches; Art gallery facade sketch, San Juan, PR; Private residence elevation, Fajardo, PR
bio “You never will be the person you can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of your life” -James G. Bilkey the beginning Jay´s artistic expression and desire to be an architect formed during his childhood years having a lot of fun playing with blocks in his bedroom and with dirt in his backyard building sand, wood and metal structures. Even dressed in white linen for important family gatherings, he would not stop excavating in the dirt at the expense of constantly being reprimanded by his parents for not keeping his linens neat and clean. Coming from a family of scientists and physicians, he was all by himself in his artistic ambitions, which helped him develop a sense of independence and free thinking at an early age. Together with his interest in construction, this pastime led him to the conclusion at an early age that he wanted to be an architect.
team player Even though he grew up near the beaches of San Juan, he got involved in track and field, basketball and volleyball instead of the more popular individual water sports. It was in these team-oriented sports he learned the art of collaboration, being a team player. This team spirit, along with his artistic and analytical abilities, finally led him to the career path of architecture.
learning the basics In his high school years he loved all math and art courses and one of his favorites was technical drafting. He believed architecture was only about a lot of drawings which seemed like a lot of fun to himself since he hated reading and writing. After high school, he went directly to University of Puerto Rico’s School of Architecture. He was exposed to the notion of place and time, developed his aesthetic sensibilities, strengthened his social consciousness and nurtured the highest ethical values of the architect’s profession. He was exposed to direct participation in urban and social affairs, explored special projects in the community, in addition to courses in the area of architectural history, historic preservation, cultural resources and the technological aspects of architecture. Attending Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation for his Master of Architecture degree proved pivotal in many aspects of Jays’s life. He spent a summer studying architecture in Italy, where he spent numerous days sketching and discovering how the sophisticated urban environments of many Italian cities created a quality of pedestrian life in the streets rarely found back in America. Also being exposed to world class architects and professors in a world class city further enriched his
education experience. He finally find out he loved reading and writing as much as drafting.
turning the corner Fresh out of school, Jay worked full time at two architectural firms in New York City, where as a young professional, he was quickly given a high level of responsibility. That experience exposed him to the dynamic fast paced, high-pressured and high-demanding environment in the architectural capital of the world. After a few years, a closed friend called him to return to PR to join him as a partner in a San Juan firm. He returned to the island where he met his future interior designer wife, who was representing her sister in law, the actual client, at a project meeting at the office. He later find out it was a planned blind date. Eventually, Jay learned enough of the business to strike it on his own becoming the principal and owner of his own firm by the end of 1992.
jva Jay’s earliest interest in getting things built and his hands dirty, together with his collaborative team playing, eventually became the guiding principles in his private practice, JVA. His commitment and responsibility always set him apart as his love and passion for architecture and the process to create it. He believes that being a good designer is not enough but you have to be a multi-tasking person with many other talents including management and business skills. Without the business there will not be no design nor architecture. At JVA business and technical know-how goes hand in hand with the basic architectural stuff . Jay’s greatest reward is client satisfaction while providing society with structures and spaces that will stand the test of time.
other stuff Besides making architecture, Jay’s other interests includes traveling, painting, graphic design, sustainable initiatives (LEED AP in progress), woodworking and restoration, and actually building and repairing all sorts of things. He is a proven handyman at home. His extensive traveling throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and the Caribbean, he has learned something about the challenges of the different environments, cultures and political influences. Jay has USA citizenship and is proficient in English and Spanish languages, both verbal and written.
my schooling “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education”- Mark Twain Master of Architecture COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY Bachelor in Arts in Environmental Design, Magna Cum Laude UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, San Juan, PR Real Estate Professional Developer Certificate BORTECH INSTITUTE, San Juan, PR
(Sep 1981 - May 1984)
(Aug 1976 - May 1981)
(Jan - Oct 2006)
my experience
Partner-Project Design Manager Arturo GarcRa AIA Architects - San Juan, PR (Nov 1986 - Nov 1987) Architectural design work in a multitude of commercial, residential and industrial projects in PR. Responsible for significant aspects of projects and for work on minor projects including selection, evaluation and implementation procedures and techniques used on them. Project Architect George Cooper Rudolph III Architects - New York City, NY (May 1985 - Oct 1986) Assistant to Project Architect on schematic, preliminary design and construction documents for various residential and commercial projects in New York City, Greenwich, CT and NJ, including restaurant interiors and other commercial/retail projects at South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan. Responsible for daily design and technical development of projects. Architectural Intern Witthoefft Associates Architects - New York City, NY (Aug 1984 - Apr 1985) Assistant to firm’s principal for various residential and commercial projects in New York City, and NJ. Responsible for particular parts of projects within parameters set by others. Developed design and technical solutions under supervision of an Architect.
“Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience”- George Bernard Shaw Principal/Founder Jay Vigoreaux Architects (JVA) - San Juan, PR (Dec 1992 - Present) Responsibilities include general and financial management and direction of the firm, its business development and coordination of project execution. Active participation in all phases and aspects of projects including all architectural basic and additional services in addition to consulting work in project management and serving as owner’s representative/advisor. Well-rounded, hands on experience as lead project architect and team manager producing and delivering multitude of quality projects of various scales and multiple variables with particular focus on interior design, mixed-use (residential and commercial), historic preservation, residential (high-end custom individual homes to high-density, high-rise multi-family housing projects), commercial (retail, corporate, office and restaurants), government, industrial, healthcare, educational, transportation, hospitality, urban and master planning. Manage projects for public and private sector clients including international construction companies on design-built projects, developers, local / federal government and institutions. Projects costs range from $100k to $50m). Architectural Consultant/Project Manager OPQ Associates - San Juan, PR (Dec 1987 - Nov 1992) Overall project management responsibility for a variety of commercial, institutional, hospitality and residential projects in PR, and project teams. Tasks included schematic and preliminary design, design development, construction documents, construction supervision, client contact, scheduling and budgeting.
Left: Yamato Restaurant entrance sketch
technology savvy: Extensive technical knowledge and proficiency of presentation and design software, both pc and mac, such as: Autocad ; MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point) Quickbooks, Acrobat; intermediate skills with Photoshop and Creative Suite; some basic knowledge with 3D software such as: Revit, Sketch-up 3D Studio. permission to practice: Registered Architect-Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (PR architectural registration board is a jurisdictional board member of NCARB with reciprocity accords with all other 53 jurisdictions ) where I belong to: Member - PR College of Architects and Landscape Architects; AIA (PR & Florida Chapter); U.S. Green Building Council; Columbia University Club. participation: Visiting Juror - University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture (1987); PanelistThe Future of Housing in PR, Municipality of Rio Grande, PR (1994); Member, Board of Directors, Robinson School (1987-1988); President, Board of Directors Garden Hills Association (2011-present).
what I am good at: -
recognitions: Biaggi-Faure Fine Art Gallery Remodeling Project - Premios URBE Honorable Mention (2003) Plant Genetics Laboratory Project - Selected for Avery Library Archives - Columbia University (1984), William Kinne Fellowship - Summer School Program - Florence + American Academy in Rome, ITALY (1983), Harlem Community Center Project - Published in PRECIS IV Columbia University Architecture Journal (1982), University of Puerto Rico’s Fine Arts Center Project Selected for “Design+Energy” Student Competition (1981) Rivera Residence, Dorado Beach, Dorado, PR - AIA Florida Association Unbuilt Design Award (1984)
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Conceptual abilities and design approach with skillful design vocabulary in both classical and modern Graphic, written and oral communications Clients communications and presentations; knowledge, contacts and ability to maintain and manage business relationships People/teamwork management; work well in a fast-paced, dynamic collaborative studio environment, under pressure; flexible working hours Organization and management; multitasking and working towards meeting multiple deadlines and able to prioritize and be flexible. Positive, enthusiastic attitude with ability to motivate team members Hand sketching, digital rendering, model building and graphic design Proactive problem solving; able to think independently and as a team player Proposal and RFP writing Research products and specifications with extensive understanding of materials, construction processes, systems and methodologies Ensuring projects provide value as practical and cost effective solutions for clients while demonstrating a high degree of design sensibility Known and trusted in the local developer community as someone who can take projects from start to finish Proven design team leadership with an awareness of current trends within the industry Pushed the boundaries of design on buildings of various types and sizes. Pro-actively resolving project performance issues through ongoing review. Infuse the spirit and quality of design excellence into projects Lead team efforts with the client and all stakeholders through all phases of the project; contribute to an energetic creative process in developing innovative design solutions. Proven leadership skills with emphasis on employee coaching and mentoring with a view to fostering career progression and grow the firm’s design capability. Successfully participated asa associate design architect and architect of record for four stations, as part of an international consortium (Spain, Germany, Canada and USA), for the San Juan metro design-built project with a final overall cost of $2.5 billions (the largest design-built project ever built in PR).
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