ALVARO VELOSA

Urban Advocate

Alvaro Velosa, Master of Architecture ’14, has always been fascinated by cities and urbanism. It’s one of the reasons he chose to pursue a master’s at Parsons—a school whose interdisciplinary focus allowed him to study architecture in combination with urban design.

For his thesis, Velosa developed an affordable housing proposal involving the use of prefabricated units situated on an abandoned elevated railway in Queens, New York. Inspired by Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower, the proposal calls for modular construction and repurposing of existing infrastructure, with the aim of reducing building costs and improving efficiencies. The plan also includes a bicycle path connecting nearby subway lines and increasing sustainable transportation options in the predominantly car-centric area.

A class with celebrated architect and visiting professor Bjarke Ingels eventually led Velosa to his current role at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), where he continues to focus on urban design and its social and cultural impact. Among his projects at BIG is a reimagining of the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway, which runs through Brooklyn Heights. His design includes a public park space over the below-grade road to reduce noise, pollution, and vibration affecting those living near the highway. Velosa’s plan is also aimed at strengthening the connection between the neighborhood, existing public parks, and the East River waterfront. “All of our projects are infused with people-first ideas,” explains Velosa, citing community workshops held to ensure that the views of local residents were reflected in the plans.

Connecting architecture with well-considered urban design is the basis for another of Velosa’s projects at BIG: Robert De Niro’s Wildflower Studios, currently under construction in Queens. Located on the former site of the Steinway & Sons piano factory, the facility incorporates 11 state-of-the-art sound stages in an innovative stacked format, making it the world’s first vertical commercial studio. Velosa and his team worked with the community to address their needs in the plan, which includes revitalizing the nearby Steinway Creek waterfront and creating a publicly accessible promenade. Construction of the studio will provide much-needed jobs and bolster New York City’s bona fides as a television and film production center while breathing new life into an industrial corner of the borough.

Velosa says that his studies at Parsons laid the groundwork for his current success. He credits professors Andy Bernheimer, David Leven, and Mark Gardner with helping shape his path there. “Parsons reinforced my interest in urban design,” says Velosa. “The school’s energy was very inspiring.”