AD&VISION 10TH EDITION

from AD&Vision Tenth Edition - Fall | Winter 2019-2020

FEATURED PROJECT

AD&V TO DESIGN PUERTO RICO’S FIRST RESIDENCE INN

Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón has been selected to design the first Residence Inn by Marriott project in Puerto Rico! The nine-story, 177,555 square-foot hotel will also be the first new branded flagship property in 25 years in Isla Verde, a popular tourist and residential area.

“Featuring a contemporary layered façade, the building’s I-shape design maximizes the use of space and embraces visitors entering from the south, while the north side is built close to the sidewalk to emphasize the walkability of the area,” said Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, Co-Founder and Chairman of AD&V.

Interlink is the developer in charge of construction of the $50 million project, which includes 231 rooms for long- and shor t- term guests. It is scheduled to open in November 2021. The hotel’s 4,000-square-foot restaurant space overlooking Avenida Isla Verde will feature a ground-floor terrace, which will be open to guests as well as the community at large. The reception and common areas will also be on the first level. The upper floors will house rooms ranging from 434 square feet to 588 square feet.

Other hotel amenities include a swimming pool, a playground area with water features, an interior/exterior bar, an exterior terrace, a meeting space, and a complete gym. All guest rooms will feature a full kitchen, a work area with desk, and a separate living space. The property is also ideally located minutes from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Isla Verde Beach, and walking distance from the area’s numerous restaurants and shops.

Sustainability measures are being incorporated throughout the project, from the start of construction to its operational phase. They include energy-saving and water-efficient equipment and measures as well as lighting controls, thermal comfort measures, electric vehicle charging stations, indoor air quality management plans, and enhanced systems commissioning.

“The hotel’s interiors will embrace the culture and spirit of the local community. We want to make sure there is a sense of place – that this is a Residence Inn IN Puerto Rico – and we have commissioned pieces from local artists that will be on display throughout the space,” said Cristina Villalón, Managing Principal and Interior Designer of AD&V.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

CONDADO RESIDENCE | San Juan, Puerto Rico

LUCHETTI RESIDENCE | San Juan, Puerto Rico

WATERFRONT BAY | San Juan, Puerto Rico

AD&V CARES

WORLD CLEANUP DAY

This year we celebrated World Cleanup Day by joining the Scuba Dogs Society’s trash clean up initiative! The AD&V Team gathered with friends and family to clean up the trash around a local lagoon and park. We hope that each year there is less trash to cleanup, and that people become more aware of the damage that waste creates to our planet and ecosystem.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

AD&V IS HONORED ONCE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST MIXED-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT IN PUERTO RICO

We are excited to announce that for the second time in three years, our firm was honored with a Multi-Housing News Excellence Award! This year our Renaissance Square project was awarded the Multi-Housing News Excellence Award, this time winning a Bronze Excellence Award in the “Design Affordable” category.

The judges chose the winners based on outstanding elements from this year’s submissions, along with trends they observed. The Renaissance Square project was recognized for its design as an energy-saving, mix-use, affordable housing development that integrates sustainability and quality functional design.

Completed in 2019, Renaissance Square is the first mixed-income public housing development in Puerto Rico. Located in San Juan and developed by McCormack Baron Salazar, Renaissance Square has 140 apartments comprised of three- to four-story structures—apartments, walk-ups, townhouses—all grouped around a central, European-style plaza. The architectural style is tropical traditional, with contemporary elements: a full departure from the cookie-cutter, monolithic Modernist towers they replace. Renaissance Square is a unique, high-quality, affordable housing project that was designed for the community.

Renaissance Square creates a new standard for community design in Puerto Rico.ABOUT THE MHN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Multi-Housing News and Commercial Property Executive hosted a reception to honor the winners of the 2019 MHN Excellence Awards and CPE Distinguished Achievement Awards at 10 Grand Central in New York City. These awards represent the multifamily sector’s most innovative and ingenious achievements. Designers, developers, executives and real estate managers, top property managers, and future stars that are recognized by these awards set a high bar. In its 13th year, the MHN Excellence Awards honored properties and projects across the United States for 20 categories. Entries were evaluated and winners were chosen by a panel of renowned industry professionals.

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

Our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, was invited to speak in the Industria y Comercio en Acción radio program. Ricardo spoke about rebuilding Puerto Rico and revitilizing the Island’s economy.

AD&V’s CEO went on the Tiempo with Joe Torres show to talk about Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts after Hurrican María. Ricardo spoke about what has been accomplished since then, and how AD&V is making sure the private sector and FEMA are doing their job regarding the Island’s infrastructure, construction and housing.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz discussed investing in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María on Bloomberg Radio. Ricardo explained the development and architecture oppor tunities in Puer to Rico.

Our CEO was featured as a guest in Nasdaq’s TradeTalk show to talk about resilient design and the future of Puerto Rico. Ricardo spoke about linking the Island’s private sector and FEMA, new investment opportunities, and rebuilding the economy.

AD&V’s Co-Founder, Cristina Villalón, was invited as a guest speaker on the Jefas y Jevas podcast! Cristina spoke about her beginnings as an interior designer, AD&V’s current focus on designing sustainable housing, and the impact that Hurricane Maria had on the firm.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz participated as a panelist for thePuerto Rico Builder’s Association 46th Annual ConventionKeynote Panel: Puerto Rican Home of the 21st Century.

Our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, was invited to speak atMiami Diario Live about the status of the reconstruction ofPuerto Rico.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was invited on the Ahora Con Oscar Haza show to discuss the future of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure and economy.

Our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was invited to speak on the Pasa La Tarde Con Mario Andrés Moreno radio show about Puer to Rico’s reconstruction.

AD&V Founders, Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz and Cristina Villalón, were invited guests on Maria Laria’s Bajo La Luna radio show. They talked about the firm and rebuilding Puerto Rico after the natural disasters that have hit the island.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was invited to the En Esta Hora radio show to discuss Puer to Rico’s reconstruction and resiliency.

Our CEO, Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was a guest on the Dígalo Aquí show to speak about rebuilding Puerto Rico and its economy.

AD&V is the first Puerto Rican design firm that has been accepted to become part of the United Nations Global Compact! AD&V joined the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative to support the principles of the Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labor, environment & anti-corruption. Our CEO spoke at the 1st Edition of the Global Goals 100x35 UNA USA Puerto Rico event. Ricardo discussed AD&V’s initiatives for the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Puerto Rico.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was live on Cheddar to talk about the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico. Ricardo explained how this natural disaster is going to change the future of the Island’s construction.

Our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was invited to be on the PuertoRico ICON Investment Globalization Transformation’s Podcast.

Ricardo discussed AD&V’s history, the firm’s affordable housing projects, developing communities, rebuilding Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes, and why investors should invest in Puer to Rico.

AD&V’s CEO was invited to the Puerto Rico ICON Investors Conference as a guest panelist. Ricardo highlighted Puerto Rico’s resiliency on The Road to Resilience: Vulnerability and Disaster Recovery panel.

FROM THE ACADEMY

AD&V'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

AD&V’s Internship Program focuses on promoting the architecture and design industry. Our year-round Internship Program helps students explore the field and master their skills in a real-life working environment.

This Fall, we had Antonio Gárate as our intern. Antonio is an Architecture student from the University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture. Antonio shadowed and assisted the Architectural Team during the Fall. We thank Antonio for all the work that he did and wish him the best of luck in the rest of his architecture studies!

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz speaks at the SJS’S STEAM Week

For Saint John’s School of Puerto Rico STEAM week, our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz spoke to upper elementary students about how a STEAM education can prepare them for a career in Architecture.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz speaks at the School of Architecture of the University of Notre Dame

Our CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, was invited as a guest speaker to talk about Santurce and its history, to a class of the Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. They have selected Santurce for their studio project!

WHAT’S NEW?

KEEP SAFE GUIDE FOR RESILIENT HOUSING DESIGN IN ISLAND COMMUNITIES

Our firm worked together with Enterprise Community Partners, the Puerto Rico Builder’s Association, and the University of Puerto Rico to help create the Keep Safe Guide for Resilient Housing Design in Island Communities. A free, first-of-its-kind illustrated manual, made to help people develop stronger, more resilient homes and communities that can withstand extreme weather events. Ricardo Álvarez- Díaz represented AD&V at the guide’s presentation.

You can dowload the guide by visiting Enterprise Community’s website: https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/resources/ keep-safe-guide-9310

OFFICE CULTURE

TWIN DAYS

This Fall twinning was taken to the next level. Matching shirts! This was the first time that two AD&V team members showed up wearing the exact same top to the office. Other team members just kept twinning with the same outfit colors, blue and beige.

FAMILY DAY

We had a blast at this year’s AD&V Family Day! The AD&V Team invited their family members and loved ones to spend a fun day with each other. This year’s festivities included delicious Puerto Rican food, coquito, awesome live music, and amazing company.

BOSSES DAY

We dedicated this day to our incredible AD&V bosses whose committed leadership helps us continue to grow and make a positive difference.

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST BREAST CANCER

For this year’s International Day Against Breast Cancerwe wore our pink helmets to show our support and raiseawareness about this terrible disease. We stand with allbreast cancer warriors and survivors, including our own,Nirmaliz Rodríguez!

HALLOWEEN

This Halloween, the AD&V Team went all out with their Spooktacular costumes! From movie characters to animal costumes, the Team outdid themselves.

CHRISTMAS PARTY!

We had the best time during our annual AD&V secret elf exchange! The AD&V Team exchanged gifts with each other and enjoyed delicious food at Asere Restaurant in Santurce for the second year in a row, to celebrate the holidays.

TEAM BUILDING AT ALTERNAVIDA

To jump-start the year, we participated in one of Alternavida’s team retreat. It helped us form a stronger connection with ourselves and with the Team through different exercises, all while enjoying a beautiful day at the beach. For the final team building activity, the Team was divided into groups and instructed to build homes with natural materials that could be found at the beach. It was definitely a challenge, but the Team managed to pull it off!

VALENTINE’S DAY

The Team celebrated AD&Valentine’s Day with joy, friendship, and tasty treats including brownies and cookies!

URBAN GARDEN UPDATE

Our AD&V Team was finally able to enjoy the urban garden’s seating area once again since the Hurricanes. The Team enjoyed having their lunch in the garden surrounded by beautiful flowers and wonderful weather. Also, our urban garden also grew some delicious star fruit!