In a recent feature with Save Harlem Now!, Principal Angel Ayón reflected on what preservation truly means for Harlem — and for the people and communities that give it life. A long-time Harlem advocate, Ayón shared that the work of saving Harlem now cannot be done alone. The mission requires shared responsibility, vision, and care.
Speaking about his involvement with Save Harlem Now!, Ayón described preservation not as the act of freezing history, but of continuing it. “We’ve inherited these buildings and stories from those before us,” he noted. “Our role is to care for them so that future generations recognize themselves in the places we protect.” Through AYON Studio’s preservation and adaptive reuse projects — from neighborhood landmarks to historic houses of worship — this belief guides every decision: design as an act of stewardship.
Ayón also remarked that preservation belongs to everyone. You don’t need to be an architect or hold a degree to defend what matters; the most powerful statement begins with belonging. “I live here, therefore I care,” he said — a message that captures the essence of both his work and Harlem’s enduring strength.