AIA Puerto Rico, A Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
Mariela Bravo Pascual, AIA, CAAPPR, NCARB, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico School of Architecture in 2011 and obtained her Architect License in 2022.
After collaborating for a short period with the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico, she joined Manuel Bermúdez Arquitectos in 2011. Since 2014, she has been responsible for directing the Construction Observation phase of all projects developed by the Firm. Following Hurricanes Irma and María, her work focused on developing Disaster Recovery Projects in Puerto Rico. Since 2020, she has also been responsible for the Firm’s administrative operations.
From her early years as a student, Mariela held leadership positions in organizations dedicated to the professional development of architecture students and later emerging professionals. She served as President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) chapter at the Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2011, she served on several governing boards as Delegate of the Commission for Architects and Landscape Architects in Training of the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico (CAAPPR). There, she developed an online platform to help emerging professionals prepare for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
In 2025, she was elected President-Elect of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the year 2026. On the AIA board, she has promoted valuable initiatives, including the Women in Architecture Committee of AIA Puerto Rico.
Armando Rigau, AIA, CAAPPR, LEED AP BD+C, is a co-founder of Tandem Studio (formerly D-Logic Studio), an architecture practice based in Puerto Rico specializing in residential, commercial, and institutional projects, and Tandem Concreto, a design collaboration focused on the creation of cast-concrete objects. Rigau has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in design, theory, and construction at Florida International University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Puerto Rico. Previously, he worked at Perkins+Will in Miami, where he was recognized as a Next-Generation Emerging Designer. Rigau holds a Master of Architecture from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with minors in History and Hispanic Literature from Georgetown University. From 2023-24, he served as Puerto Rico’s representative to the AIA National Young Architects Forum and in 2024, he was featured in AIA’s “Nine Hispanic and Latinx Architects You Should Know.” Rigau currently serves as President-Elect of AIA Puerto Rico.
Jean A. Vidal De León, born on September 27, 1995, is a licensed architect with a deep passion for reading and poetry. From an early age, he developed a strong interest in architecture and in the impact that physical and environmental settings can have on the experiences and emotions of those who inhabit them. This vocation led him to complete his Master’s degree in Architecture in 2019. With more than nine years of professional experience, he has participated in multiple phases of a wide variety of projects, including private residences, commercial spaces, hotels, hospitals, educational institutions, sports facilities, recreational areas, and industrial buildings, among others. Throughout his career, his focus has remained constant: to design spaces that tell a story and create meaningful and memorable experiences. He is the Founder and Principal Architect of Ideas Design Studio, LLC, where he leads the design and development of projects. Through his professional practice, he is committed to transforming concepts into innovative architectural solutions, convinced of the power of storytelling to create spaces that communicate, inspire, and evoke emotion.
Jean Vidal was selected as a scholar of the Christopher Kelley Leadership and Development Program (CKLDP), a distinction that recognizes his leadership potential and his commitment to professional growth within the discipline. In addition to his professional work, he currently serves as Secretary of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), where he contributes to strengthening the profession and supports initiatives that promote leadership, collaboration, and excellence in architecture. Beyond design — and influenced by his parents, both Spanish teachers — writing and poetry hold a fundamental place in his life. Through his texts, he explores emotions, ideas, and reflections, a creative process that has led him to the final stages of preparing his first publication.
Driven by a clear vision and a strong sense of purpose, his mission is to continue growing as a designer, entrepreneur, and author, leaving a lasting mark in both the world of architecture and literature.
Licensed Architect and Construction Documents Technologist with a strong background in project management and contract administration services in Puerto Rico and the United States. Design, Construction, Consulting, and Green Building experience include residential, healthcare, hospitality, and institutional projects. Her key competences include outstanding organizational and leadership skills, fully bilingual, resources management, field supervision, inspection and assessments, construction contract administration, space planning and design, technical specifications writing and project manual development, RFI and Submittal Review, cost estimating and permitting. As a Juris Doctor graduate, she is also skilled in legal research and drafting, with excellent written and verbal abilities focused on Contracts, Torts and Construction Law.
Toledo has also been keynote speaker at the ISPE’s Interphex, several PRIMEX Events, the AGC’s Annual Construction Summit and the CAAPPR Architectural Registration Examination Reviews. She has also been an instructor at the Schools of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico; and the School of Design in the University of Turabo.
Currently, she’s primarily focused on Federal Funds (CDBG-DR / MIT) Project and Program Management, Construction Progress Monitoring (CPM), and Property (PCA) and Environmental (ESA) Assessment Services.
Ligia M. Saldaña Martorell, AIA, who has more than twenty-five years of professional experience, has been working as a licensed architect in Ponce for over twenty years. During this time, she has been involved in a number of government owned projects as well as in the private sector.
Received her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). During her formative years she had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe. She also spent a semester in Rome studying design, photography and architectural history.
Has been an Adjunct Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University’s School of Architecture since 2009. During this time, she has taught several design studios courses as well a theoretical course.
Up until December 2024 she was a Senior Architect + Partner at Moya Design Partners; a DC based culturally diverse firm; focusing on multifamily and institutional projects.
She has been board member of the AIA PR since 2022 and holds architectural licenses in: PR, USVI, DC, VA, MD and NC.
Kiara De León Rivera, Assoc. AIA, is an Architect in Training and graduate of the School of Architecture atthe University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where she earned both a Bachelor o fEnvironmental Design and a Master of Architecture. She has a strong interest in sustainability, bioclimatic design, and the integration of emerging technologies into architectural practice. Before assuming her current role, she worked as a research assistant at the FabLab UPR,where she contributed to projects that explored the convergence of digital fabrication,parametric design, and biomaterials, with a focus on the innovation of materials and finishes.
Additionally, she provided guidance on digital prototyping, including laser cutting and 3Dprinting operations. Kiara currently serves as a Project Architect at Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto csp. In this role, she participates in the preparation of construction documents and supports construction administration for institutional, educational, and historic preservation projects.
In addition to her professional work, Kiara is actively involved in leadership and service within the architectural community. She serves as Website Director and Continuing Education Directorfor Women in Architecture Puerto Rico (WIAPR), where she supports digital communication sand professional development initiatives.
She is the Associate Director of AIA Puerto Rico and represents the chapter nationally as its State/Territory Associate Representative (STAR) withinthe AIA National Associates Committee. She also serves as Co-Chair of the AIA Puerto RicoEmerging Professionals Committee, supporting engagement and mentorship for early-careerarchitects. She was also a mentee of Arquitina Cohort 10.Kiara is advancing towards architectural licensure. Having completed all Architectura Experience Program (AXP) hours, she is now focused on successfully completing the remaining divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) as the next step in her professional development.
Eliseo Berríos Rosado, AIA, is a licensed architect with 20 years of experience in teaching, architectural and interior design, construction supervision, and real estate. He is the founder and principal architect of ALMATERIA, leading residential, commercial, and institutional projects.
He earned his Bachelor’s in Environmental Design and Master’s in Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico, complementing his education with seminars at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
In the academic field, he has been an instructor at the School of Architecture of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and the School of Plastic Arts and Design of Puerto Rico, as well as an adjunct professor at Universidad Ana G. Méndez, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and UPR Carolina Campus. Additionally, he has served as a mentor and lecturer at the Puerto Rico Architects and Landscape Architects Association.
Since 2023, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of AIA Puerto Rico, holding the position of Secretary, Vice President in 2024 and President in 2025.
Wilma L. Torres Gavino holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and a
Master’s in Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico, along with doctoral studies
in curriculum evaluation and pedagogy. She is a professor at the Polytechnic University
of Puerto Rico, with over 30 years of teaching experience in areas such as design, art
history, research, and architectural proposal preparation. She has also taught at Caribbean University and led the Office of Cultural Activities at the Polytechnic University.
As a founding member of the initiative to establish the Polytechnic University’s School of Architecture, she helped develop its initial curriculum. Professionally, she worked at
Montilla y Latimer Arquitectos and collaborated with Antonio Attolini Lack in Mexico, focusing on project design, development, and presentations.
In the public sector, she served as a planning analyst at Puerto Rico Planning Board, assessing territorial plans and contributing to publications. She has also engaged in cultural and educational initiatives, including founding the experimental design group Licencia Poética. Torres Gavino is an active member of AIA Puerto Rico, where she currently serves as Executive Director.