Valeria Bardi Cohen Explores Architecture as a Living Dialogue

Architectural designer Valeria Bardi Cohen, affiliated with the acclaimed S9 Studio, presents a unique perspective on architecture, viewing it as an ongoing dialogue rather than a static discipline. Her approach intertwines craft and technology, emphasizing the importance of context, history, and the human experience in shaping built environments.

Bardi Cohen asserts that each building possesses its own narrative, one that evolves over time. “Each building tells a story,” she states, “but that story is never static.” This philosophy informs her design process, encouraging an exploration of the complexities of human experience alongside the permanence of materials.

From Observation to Design

Her design methodology is deeply rooted in observation. Bardi Cohen studies how individuals navigate spaces and how light interacts with surfaces, allowing her to understand the relationship between architecture and perception. For her, sketching and model-making serve as means of inquiry, helping to articulate concepts that may not yet be fully formed.

“The act of drawing can reveal what the mind has not yet articulated,” she explains. This iterative process seamlessly transitions into digital tools, where technology aids in refining her ideas. By balancing analog and digital practices, Bardi Cohen enhances both precision and meaning in her designs, ensuring that they resonate with human experiences.

Repairing and Transforming Spaces

A core tenet of Bardi Cohen’s work is the concept of repair, which she describes as both a methodology and a mindset. Her award-winning thesis, titled Architecture After Extraction: Nada Muere en México, delved into the potential of post-industrial sites to be transformed into spaces for regeneration.

“To repair is to recognize the latent potential in what already exists,” she states. This philosophy not only preserves cultural continuity but also redefines utility, challenging traditional notions of progress. Her recent projects, including the adaptive reuse of industrial areas and the transformation of manufacturing buildings into academic centers, illustrate how architecture can foster innovation while honoring the past.

Bardi Cohen’s work exemplifies how architecture can serve as a bridge between memory and modernity, facilitating urban evolution without disregarding historical context.

Storytelling in Architecture

For Bardi Cohen, the act of storytelling is fundamental to shaping the experience of a space. She believes that elements such as circulation, light, and proportion significantly influence how individuals perceive their environment. “Each person reads space differently,” she notes, highlighting the diverse interpretations that keep architecture vibrant and relevant.

This narrative approach grants agency to both the designer and the occupants, ensuring that spaces communicate meaningfully across varying contexts.

Bardi Cohen also emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her practice. As a mentor and invited juror at Pratt Institute, she remains connected to the essence of design. “Mentoring keeps me connected to the essence of why we design,” she reflects, underlining that architecture thrives on curiosity and the willingness to experiment.

Balancing Culture and Identity

Having lived and worked in both Latin America and the United States, Bardi Cohen possesses a nuanced understanding of how culture and place shape architectural practices. The adaptability observed in Latin American cities contrasts with the vertical density of New York, underscoring the need for flexibility in design while preserving identity.

Her perspective is informed by a desire to balance spontaneity with structure, craftsmanship with computation, and historical awareness with future aspirations. Through this holistic approach, Bardi Cohen continues to create architecture that is not only responsive but also respectful of what has come before, envisioning spaces that connect past, present, and future.

In her exploration of architecture as a living process, Valeria Bardi Cohen challenges conventional boundaries, encouraging a dynamic interaction between design, environment, and human experience.