We were lucky to catch up with Valeria Bardi Cohen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Valeria , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have always been fascinated by the process of design. I believe each designer’s process is unique, and that authenticity is one of the most powerful ways to approach creative thinking. My experience as an architectural designer in New York City has shaped not only how I practice but also the way I navigate life. Every day I continue to discover and refine my purpose as a designer—whether through observing wayfinding systems, noticing color palettes on the subway, or reflecting on how these daily encounters inform my own work in production and craft.

If there is one practice I would have embraced earlier, it is the art of documenting—through video, writing, and photographs. Documentation becomes a dialogue with the creative mind, a way of capturing and revisiting experiences that can later transform into meaningful designs. In addition, sketching and model-making have been essential to my design process. I often find that the essence of a design emerges through loose, hand-drawn lines, which reveal the clarity of a final concept. At the same time, model-making offers a deeply informative way of exploring design—allowing me to investigate materiality, light, and scale in ways that drawings alone cannot capture.

Currently, I am interested in adaptive reuse, a discipline that challenges me to reimagine existing structures while preserving their history and value. While every project presents obstacles, I am constantly reminded that design itself is the solution. The dialogue between honoring the past and envisioning the future is what continues to inspire me every day.

Valeria , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a 23-year-old architectural designer based in New York City, exploring design excellence with cultural and social relevance. My interest in design began early—shaped by a strong visual sensibility. As a teenager, I admired magazines not for their content but for their editorial layouts, captivated by the power of design to shape perception. This curiosity eventually led me to summer courses in architectural design, history, and interior design, and ultimately to pursue a degree in architecture.

I started architecture school at 16 years old, and graduated from Pratt Institute in 2023 with Highest Honors and the Best Degree Project Award for my thesis. During my studies, I discovered a deep passion for model-making and sketching, which became one of my most effective tools for exploring and communicating design ideas throughout the process.

Beyond architecture, I am a trained ballet dancer, museum enthusiast, and theater admirer—interests that continue to influence my creative perspective. Currently, I am an Architectural Designer at S9 Architecture, an award-winning New York–based studio, where I contribute to the different design phases—focusing on planning, concept development, and adaptive reuse across a diverse range of projects.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative—particularly as an architectural designer—is the art of curating spaces that respond to people’s needs and create a lasting impact on their lives. To be creative is to understand others through the immersive and often challenging lens of design. In many ways, we grow alongside design, since we are all in some form connected to it. I especially enjoy the process of designing with context, purpose, and audience in mind, as these considerations make the final outcome more meaningful and unique.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to leave a lasting legacy as an architectural designer in New York City, inspiring younger generations to embrace this remarkable profession—one that often becomes a way of life. In the long term, I aspire to expand my knowledge across different design disciplines, expressing myself through various mediums and approaches. I am particularly interested in exploring the intersection of dance and architecture through civic projects that activate and enrich the public realm.

Because design is constantly evolving, I believe we carry a responsibility to shape the next generation of creative and critical thinkers. Looking ahead, I envision integrating Latin American culture into studio-based academic settings in New York, fostering dialogue and generating innovative design solutions that address social, economic, and spatial challenges in transformative ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vbardico-design.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbcarch/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-bardi-cohen-a58973191/

Image Credits

Fabiola Rodriguez Mena (Professional Photo)