Victoria A. Rospond, AIA, Founding Partner (OLD)

Victoria received her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from Rhode Island School of Design in 1984. She began her career working for a New Jersey developer, where she concentrated on designing and detailing large-scale office buildings, site planning and tenant work. In 1993, shetook her first steps toward being an entrepreneur, collaborating on several projects that earned distinction, including the Takashimaya Tea Box Café (Interior Design Award, NYC AIA). She was the project architect for the Chinese Scholar's Garden on Staten Island, which involved the coordination of an American construction team and a construction team from the Landscape Company of China. Extensive research was completed for the garden-villa design through travel and documentation of a variety of Souzhou-style scholar's gardens. The Chinese Scholars Garden received an Excellence in Design Award from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. 

For more than 30 years, Victoria has been a resounding voice in architecture and responsible urban development. As a steering committee member of the Hoboken (N.J.) Coalition for a Better Waterfront, she participated in the planning and design of a 28-acre waterfront park. Victoria’s past experience has expanded CDR Studio’s résumé to include Wagner Park Café, a 2,500 square foot food-service installation for the Battery Park City Authority. Victoria was also involved with the development of the schematic design for the Discovery Center at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and participated in construction administration for the Eileen Fisher Store and Showroom development. Victoria’s commitment to sustainable design was highlighted during her tenure as partner-in-charge of the evolvement of 16 Mercer Street, an extensive condominium conversion that featured an innovative thermal-fluid tank for off-hours electrical storage, as well as an intensive green roof and penthouse.

Victoria has in-depth experience with the renovation of historic structures. She was the partner in charge of the renovation of FDNY Hook & Ladder Company 08, which at 105 years is among the city’s oldest and most decorated firehouses. This project required design and construction management for exterior rehabilitation and interior renovation of the firehouse, including replacement of the main apparatus floor, installation of a new house-watch nerve center, and a complete infrastructure overhaul. Victoria also was the partner in charge of a façade restoration and lobby renovation, complete with a connection to the subway below, for Bryant Park Studios — a masterful landmark building located on 40th Street in Manhattan originally built as artists' lofts. For the rehabilitation of the Filmmakers Collaborative, a 24,000-square-foot, landmarked 19th century industrial building with limestone façades, Victoria inserted a new service core and delicately threaded a new steel framework while salvaging the rough hewn wood floors and beams. Breathing new life and identity into the original structure while simultaneously addressing current codes and modern lifestyle requirements, the design of this project carefully balances historical patina and modern amenities.

Victoria also has been the Partner in Charge of the Audi Dealership Development program, since CDR first was awarded work with Audi in 2006. She currently focuses on projects in the Southern Region. The work for Audi requires pragmatic conversions of existing structures and the design of ground-up facilities. Under her guidance, the Audi program design and construction management process has been developed and refined as Audi continues to expand. Her rigorous attention to all aspects of design, management and client contact has greatly enhanced the breadth and depth of the Audi Network Dealership Program.

In addition, Victoria is a founding board member of ArchiteXX, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that promotes gender equality in architecture and by women. She also has taught a seminar at Parsons The New School for Design, focusing on the interrelationship between human sensory capabilities and architecture.