About
We are service-focused. We integrate architecture, design, engineering, historic preservation, and materials conservation in our projects to ensure a structure’s new life is even better than its previous one. Our expertise encompasses Victorian buildings, as well as modern icons from the 20th century.
Our team offers deep knowledge of a range of historic materials and construction methods. This helps ensure our designs and recommended corrective actions are responsive to our clients’ goals and aspirations while remaining sensitive to each building’s original character and potential. We devise sustainable solutions that ensure future viability and create value.
Based in New York City, AYON Studio is MBE certified for work with both city and state agencies. We maintain a diverse and inclusive practice. We support collaboration and continuing education, as well as ongoing research and learning opportunities for our staff, consultants and clients.
What We Stand For
Mission
AYON Studio integrates architecture and historic preservation to help ensure the viability of significant properties. We engage in conservation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse projects with public agencies, private property owners, cultural institutions, and individual homeowners.
Vision
AYON Studio seeks to transform the built environment with contemporary, sustainable and architecturally appropriate interventions. With every project, we strive to safeguard and enhance significant properties for the enjoyment of future generations.
Values
We are a community-driven firm committed to heritage conservation and preservation advocacy. We support property owners and neighborhood organizations in their efforts to safeguard significant buildings and sites. We think globally and respond locally.
Our Leadership
As both an Architect and Preservationist, Angel Ayón, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP has more than twenty five years of experience working with historic buildings. Trained in his native Havana, Cuba, Washington, D.C., and New York City, his expertise ranges from building-envelope evaluation and repair to full-scale rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of commercial and residential properties, as well as cultural and educational institutions.
Angel believes it is the responsibility of the current generation to save and secure our built heritage as a cultural asset. He currently serves as Vice-President of Save Harlem Now!, member of the Advisory Board of the Historic Districts Council, the Historic Preservation Committee of The Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS), Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Preservation League of the NY State, and member of the Board of Directors of the James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation. He is also an active member of Columbia University’s Preservation Alumni, as well as the AIA, NCARB, nycoba/NOMA, USGBC, APTi, APT NE, US/ICOMOS, Docomomo_US and Docomomo New York Tri-State.
Angel holds a professional degree in Architecture and a Master of Science in Conservation and Rehabilitation of the Built Heritage from Havana’s Higher Polytechnic Institute, as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate in Conservation of Historic Buildings and Archaeological Sites from Columbia University in New York.
Awards & Accolades
NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Historic Preservation Award for the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem, 2020
Preservation League of New York State, Excellence in Historic Preservation for the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem, 2020
Municipal Arts Society of New York, MASterworks Award, Best Restoration for the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem, 2020
New York Landmarks Conservancy, Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award for the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem, 2020
Victorian Society of New York, Award for Preservation for the Mount Morris Fire Watchtower in Harlem, 2019
James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation Mid-Career Fellowship for research on Reglazing Modernism, 2015
AIA New York State’s Honor for Architectural Excellence in Historic Preservation for The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009
International Concrete Repair Institute’s Award of Excellence in Low-Rise Category for The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009
NY Landmarks Conservancy’s Lucy G Moses Award for The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009
Preservation League of New York State’s Award for Excellence in Preservation for The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009
AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter’s Honor Award for The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009
iLAB Collaborative Art Residency with dancer Sarah White-Ayón and 3D photographer Gerard Marks, Interactive Laboratory for Art and Dance (iLAND), 2008