“Architects in Puerto Rico must work to preserve their historical heritage and natural environment while designing for the future. There is no way to move forward other than recognizing the spaces where we come from.”
AIA Florida: Women in Architecture 16x6x2 Presentation
March 30, 2026 | 12PM ET
I am Architect Mariela Bravo Pascual, born and raised in Puerto Rico. I am Partner at Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto (MBARQ), firm based in San Juan and with Projects all around the island. I will be presenting two MBARQ projects that may be representative of Puerto Rico’s current architectural landscape.
First Project: The Sagrada Familia Head Start/Early Head Start Center in San Germán, the second oldest city of Puerto Rico
In this Project, we faced the challenge of reconceptualizing a historical building into the 21st century. Into buildings that can withstand climate change, hurricanes, earthquakes, natural disasters. A resilient and sustainable structure, that is also built upon historical and vernacular construction strategies, prioritizing our identity in the built environment while moving society forward. A space that promotes the interaction between communities while also creating a safe space for all to convene when adversity hits our Island.
Second Project: Subsoil Improvements + Storm Water Management + Buena Vista Hato Rey Baseball Park in San Juan
Architects must serve their communities. This is the turnkey project that exchanges vulnerable housing next to Caño Martín Peña for the Parque Las Monjas’s Lot to create new and safe housing for the Caño’s Communities, who have fought for their land and permanence in the built environment for decades. The Project is in the Maritime Terrestrial Zone and in a 6-feet flood zone. The Project, designed resist flooding, creates a safe space for the community to convene during regular flooding and natural disasters. It integrates landscape architecture and civil engineering technologies to filter water in and out of the Buena Vista Hato Rey community.
Architects in Puerto Rico must work to preserve their historical heritage and natural environment while designing for the future. There is no way to move forward other than recognizing the spaces where we come from.
¡Muchas gracias!
Arch. Mariela Bravo Pascual, AIA
President 2026 – Puerto Rico Chapter – American Institute of Architects
Partner – Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto csp
