Profile
VICTORIA BENATAR: ARCHITECT New York, New York – Caracas, Venezuela
Registered architect, AIA, M/WBE NYS--NYC, CIV, CAV, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE. https://exdarchitecture.com/
Victoria Benatar (AIA, ASID, MWBE, LEED GA) is the founder of Victoria Benatar Architect PLLC and a Co-Founder of EXD-LAB Architecture PLLC with Michelle Cianfaglione.
Victoria's curiosity includes extensive research on urban culture and human behavior, the transformative effects of shared economies on city design, the environmental impact of using healthy materials, and the influence of design experience on human behavior and well-being.
Using as a precedent the Lower Manhattan transformation in the 90’s, her firm is currently conducting research on the adaptive reuse of post COVID office buildings. These residential conversions will alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
In response to evolving paradigms, her firm is developing innovative designs typologies by integrating layered activities, 24-hour programming, and insights from neuroscience. The goal is to optimize space utilization, increase real estate value, and improve the overall quality of life.
She has an Architecture degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela (1983) and a master’s degree in urban design and architecture from Columbia University (GSAPP) (1995). Victoria has been a professor for the past 27 years, first at Columbia University in the Urban Design department and currently at Parsons the New School for Design at the School of constructed environments (SCE), teaching courses on both architecture and interior design.
Since 2023, Victoria has extended her influence on civic engagement, serving as a Public Member of the NYC Community Board 6, to the Land Use and Waterfront Committee. This role reflects her dedication not only to shaping the built environment but also to actively participating in the improvement of the communities she serves.
Since 2024, she is serving on the AIA New York Board of Directors, a position that recognizes her commitment to the architectural profession and her advocacy for the vital role of architecture and design in our society.
She is an award-winning architect and interior designer with several published works. She has lectured at universities, organizations and with internationally renowned architects across the globe.
Victoria believes in the power of design to create a better and healthy life. Her objective as an architect is to help as much people as possible to improve the quality of their lives by improving the quality of their spaces, because DESIGN REALLY MATTERS!
Apart from her professional & academic life, Ms. Benatar is in the advisory board to Aid for Aids AID FOR AIDS International (AFAI) is a non--profit 501 (c) (3) organization committed to improving the quality of life of people with HIV or AIDS in developing countries and who are immigrants to the United States of America.
In Venezuela she also contributes helping FUNDANA a non profit organization that house and aid children that have been victims of negligence & abuse and Espacio Anna Frank, dedicated to promote the practice of coexistence through culture and education.
Degrees Held
Architect from Universidad Central de Venezuela
Master of Science and architecture and Urban design from Columbia University
Healthy Materials Lab ADVOCATE CERTIFICATION 2022
Professional Affiliation
AIA: Americabn Institute of Architects
ASID: American Asociation of Interior Design
LEED: Leadership in enviromental & energy Design
CIV: Colegio De ingenieros de Venezuela
CAV: Colegio de Arquitectos de Venezuela
Recent Publications
Victoria Benatar is an expert architecture writer for the STREETEASY: BLOG OWN YOUR HOME:
http://ownyourhome.streeteasy.com/victoria-benatar/
Recent interview by New York Social Diary here
Revista entrerayas: https://exdarchitecture.com/featured-in-entrerayas-magazine-issue-140-dedicated-to-female-architects-in-venezuela/
Martha Stewart Magazine: https://exdarchitecture.com/martha-stewart-magazine-feature-7-multi-purpose-room-ideas-that-blend-form-and-function/
The New York Times: https://exdarchitecture.com/new-york-times-8-items-for-your-home-that-do-more-than-one-thing/
Research Interests
BIM, 3D modeling software, fabrication, representation for architecture,interior design, urban design.
Sustainable design. Improve the quality of life by design, Branding, Intelligent design, AI, Fabrication, Systems
Awards And Honors
Awareded architect to design & build the Rock & Roll hall of Fame Annex in NYC 2007-08
Retail Renovation Award winning: Steve Madden Store project publised by Institute of Store Planners & editors of VW+SD Magazine
Hiroba- Japan: Winner for the contest of the "Digital Cover Issue", 1999
Habitat for Humanity. Honorable Mention- North America, Convival spaces, International Ideas Competition, 1996
Portfolio
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex
Awarded Shoe Retail
Retail Store NYC
PostCard City
Brussels: Fields in Transition