Hi reader!
As a J1 visa architect in New York, I am just a few days away from getting on a plane to start my adventure at Diller Scofidio + Renfro. It still feels strange to put it into words. Soon I will cross the Queensboro Bridge instead of the M‑30. I will trade my usual commute in Madrid for the Manhattan skyline and subway lines I still need to learn by heart.
How it all started
First, this journey began months ago, when I decided it was the right moment to challenge myself and look for an experience abroad. To start, I polished my portfolio with the help of Architect‑US. Then they sent it to several studios in the U.S. on my behalf. Thanks to their support, I had four interviews with offices in both New York and Los Angeles. During each conversation, a different future appeared in front of me: new cities, new ways of working, and new versions of myself as an architect. As a result, I felt excited, but I was also a bit overwhelmed by all these possible paths.
Getting the call
However, deep down I always knew where my compass was pointing. New York was the city that had been in my head for years, and DS+R was the studio whose projects I had been following and admiring from afar. One day, Pati called me to tell me that they wanted me to join the team. At that moment, everything suddenly aligned. My dream studio was in my dream city, and they had chosen me. I don’t think I will ever forget that phone call.
Planning my new life
Right now, my days are a mix of packing boxes, saying goodbye, and checking lists of documents. For my first three months I will be living in Astoria, Queens, in a neighborhood that people describe as lively, diverse, and full of small restaurants to discover. After that, my plan is to move closer to the Columbia area. This way I can experience a different side of the city and shorten my commute to the office. Step by step, I hope to get to know New York through its neighborhoods instead of only through the typical postcards.
Looking ahead
Of course, there are still many unknowns ahead of me, and I am sure that not everything will go as planned. However, this uncertainty is also part of the reason why I am doing this. I want to learn how a studio like DS+R thinks, designs, and builds, and how the city influences the projects. I also want to feel what it is like to be part of that energy every day. Finally, this blog will be my way of documenting the journey: the first days at the office, the cultural shocks, the small victories, and all the moments in between. If you are also dreaming about taking a similar step, I hope my experience shows you that it is possible – and that sometimes the risk is exactly what makes it worth it.
