Debora Barros

Experience

Debora Barros has two decades of experience in architecture, historic preservation, building conservation, design in historic settings, and sustainable construction practices. She possesses expertise in field surveys, condition assessments, and documentation and preparation of contract drawings and specifications. Debora has managed large and complex projects for private owners, public institutions, and nonprofit organizations, often coordinating and collaborating with numerous consultants. Debora’s architectural conservation expertise includes stone and brick masonry, terra cotta, and reinforced concrete. Most of her work has focused on landmarked structures designated at local, state, and/or national levels. Debora has been proficient in repairing and restoring interior finishes, including plaster, metals, wood, and stained glass.

While Debora’s work has been focused on the United States, she has also practiced building conservation in England and has provided heritage consultancy advice for private owners and local governments in that country.

Debora’s previous experience includes positions with PBDW Architects, WASA Studio A (currently Architectural Preservation Studios) in New York City, and with Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture in the United Kingdom. She is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute’s Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment. She is an active member of a number of Historic Preservation technical organizations and advocacy groups and leads architecture study trips abroad.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS

Historic Preservation

• The Palace Theatre - New York, NY: Restoration and design of new interior features for a landmark theater that was lifted 30 feet above street level as part of a mixed-use site redevelopment; included repair and restoration of plaster, terra cotta, brick, marble, wood, and Kalamein as well as implementation of new decorative scheme *
• Museum of the City of New York - NY: Condition assessment, preparation of construction documents and specifications; repair and restoration of marble and brick *
• Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, NY: Limestone facade investigations
• Carnegie Hall - New York, NY: Restoration and repair of terra cotta, brick, sheet metal, and windows; construction administration

 

Stone, Brick, and Terra Cotta Masonry

• Carnegie Hall - New York, NY: Terra cotta and brick masonry facade restoration and repairs
• New York Life - New York, NY: Limestone facade repairs
• Palace Theatre - New York, NY: Investigation, restoration, and repairs of marble, granite, terra cotta, and brick *
• Guggenheim Museum - New York, NY: Condition assessment and construction documents (concrete and gunite) *

 

Repair and Rehabilitation Design

• Palace Theatre - New York, NY: Interior restoration and new design interventions at landmark theatre *
• Park Avenue Armory - New York, NY: Restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, and new design interventions at National Historic landmark converted into a performance arts center *
• Manchester Cenotaph - UK: Design of new plaza and memorial setting to accommodate relocated and restored World War I monument *

 

Plaster and Interior Finishes

• Palace Theatre - New York, NY: Historic restoration of interior finishes, including plaster, cast-iron, Kalamein, granite, and limestone *
• August Wilson Theatre - New York, NY: Plaster repairs

 * Indicates with previous firm

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of Architects
Association for Preservation Technology International 
International Council on Monuments and Sites

Education

University of Brasília
Bachelor of Science, Architecture and Urbanism, 1997

Columbia University
Master of Science,
Historic Preservation, 2005

Università degli Studi di Firenze
Certificate, Conservation of Archaeological Sites, 2011