AD&Vision Sixteenth Edition - Fall | Winter 2022-2023

THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF MY SANTURCE: PAST AND FUTURE BY RICARDO ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ, FAIA

Led by AD&V®’s Co-Founders Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA and Cristina Villalón, and Associate Partner Carla Joan González, Andelani Press® is pleased to announce the successful launch of the book My Santurce: Past and Future which was held on November 16, 2022, at the Contemporary Art Museum of Puerto Rico. This bilingual publication, authored by our CoFounder and CEO Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA, is the result of a multi-year journey of discovery into Ricardo’s hometown of Santurce, and his deep-rooted connection and unwavering passion to promote Santurce’s enormous potential as a great place to live, work, and play to a larger audience.

Inspired by conversations with influential figures like Jeff Speck and Harvard professor Richard Peiser, Ricardo embarked on a profound exploration of Santurce’s potential. My Santurce: Past and Future is the result of this extensive investigation, presenting readers with an inspiring vision of a revitalized Santurce as a thriving hub for living, working, and recreation. Santurce, the largest and most populous of the barrios of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is significant to both its community and Ricardo. With deep roots in Santurce, Ricardo aims to revive its former glory. Despite its decline by the 20th century, Ricardo seeks to rejuvenate it in his book, posing the idea of preserving and enhancing its original charm. He questions the practice of demolishing cities and suggests honoring their essence in redesigned structures. Ricardo invites his readers to understand the history of the area in order to build and plan for the future: to design new, more sustainable living spaces for people to live, learn, work, study, shop, create, and play. Viewed as a whole, My Santurce: Past and Future is a vision that can be accomplished. It will take collaboration. It will take connections. It will take a community. The intent of this book is to focus the conversation on simple attainable solutions that can be implemented by forging lasting partnerships between existing local and state governments, private enterprises, and residents at large, so Santurce can not only survive but prosper for years to come.

Andelani Press® takes pride in publishing works that educate and entertain, and My Santurce: Past and Future is a testament to this commitment. As a Puerto Rican publishing company established in 2019, Andelani Press® continues to provide a platform for authors who share a passion for art, design, planning, and entrepreneurship.

FEATURED STORY

AD&V® PROMOTES 4 WOMEN TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the recent promotions of four incredibly talented and exceptional women within our firm. These remarkable individuals have shown notable dedication and expertise, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.

Our Accounts & Human Resources Director, Neydin Alvarado, has been appointed as Business Manager; architect Estefanía Alejandro as an Associate Partner, and our Permit Specialist, IT & Security Manager, Jocelyn Torres, and Business Development and Marketing Director Carla Joan González as Associates of the firm. “The promotion of these four professionals is evidence of our company’s commitment to continue empowering professional women in the architecture and design industry,” shared architect Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, Co-Founder & CEO of AD&V®.

AD&V® Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Cristina Villalón, has been a driving force behind these efforts to support gender equality, and her dedication is truly inspiring. To further this mission, she continually highlights AD&V®’s alignment with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and how we wholeheartedly embrace the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) as a guiding light for fostering gender equality in all aspects of our operations. By aligning with the UN Global Compact and embracing the Women’s Empowerment Principles, we aim to create an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.

Last year’s promotions resulted in an impressive 87.5% representation of women in leadership roles within our firm, and we couldn’t be happier about it! “As a company, we believe it is important to provide opportunities for the women on our team. When women have access to executive and leadership roles, they pave the way for other women to grow and succeed,” expressed Monique Lugo-López, President and COO of AD&V®.

We hope that our actions can serve as an inspiration to others and encourage more organizations to recognize the immense value that gender diversity brings to the table. Let’s continue working together to build a more inclusive and equitable industry for all!

Once again, congratulations to our exceptional team members, and we look forward to witnessing their continued success as they take on these new leadership roles!

Estefanía Alejandro AD&V® Associate Partner

Jocelyn Torres AD&V® Associate

Carla Joan González AD&V® Associate

Neydin Alvarado AD&V® Business Manager

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

CONDADO RESIDENCE

Condado, Puerto Rico

CAGUAS MIX-USE & ELDERLY HOUSING

Caguas, Puerto Rico

ON THE DRAWING BOARD

CONDADO RESIDENCE

Condado, Puerto Rico

Condado, Puerto Rico

HARBOR WATERFRONT

San Juan, Puerto Rico

WATERFRONT PROJECT

San Juan, Puerto Rico

MARINA TOWNHOUSE REDEVELOPMENT

Bermuda

DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT

San Juan, Puerto Rico

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

In recent months, AD&V® has been featured in numerous publications including:

AD&V CARES

AD&V® CONTRIBUTES TO PUERTO RICO RELIEF AFTER HURRICANE FIONA ALONGSIDE PRBA & PARA LA NATURALEZA

After the devastating passage of Hurricane Fiona left historic flooding and widespread power outages in the entire Island, we at AD&V®, along with the Puerto Rico Builders Association and Para la Naturaleza, donated and sent supplies to Ponce to help those communities most affected by the hurricane. We donated a total of $410.00 to buy supplies for the Hurricane’s Response and Recovery.

INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY

AD&V® Team members celebrated International Coastal Cleanup Day by gathering at one of our local beaches and picking up trash alongside UPTURN, our Human Resources consulting firm. This event accounted for 8 cumulative hours of Community Service.

FUNDACIÓN HOSPITAL PEDIÁTRICO’S ALEGRE VENGO CASUAL DAY

We also participated in the Fundación Hospital Pediátrico’s Alegre Vengo Casual Day! We invited our team members to purchase the Foundation’s Alegre Vengo-themed t-shirts and funky socks. The funds raised from the purchase of the shirts and socks were donated to the Fundación Hospital Pediátrico, which focuses on improving the quality of life of its patients and the entire community. A total of $555.00 was donated to the foundation.

GIVING ELECTRONICS A SECOND LIFE THROUGH AD&V®’S ELECTRONIC RECYCLING STATION

Last year, we encouraged our team members to come together and responsibly part ways with their unused tech devices, ensuring they were disposed of and recycled in an eco-friendly manner. As a result, we successfully diverted a substantial 300 pounds of electronic equipment from landfills, embodying our dedication to a greener, more sustainable planet.

AD&V®’S RECYCLING PROGRAM: TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO IMPACT

Inspiring change, we introduced multiple recycling bins, encouraging the responsible disposal of plastic, glass, medical items, and more among the AD&V® team. Embracing innovation, we transitioned from paper to digital business cards, sparing one tree and saving over $3,234.00. Our actions echo commitment —a testament to our dedication to a greener future.

AD&V®’S COMPOSTING PROGRAM

We continued composting with our Tais Borikashi Kits containers where we dispose all of our food scraps. Tais then processes the waste from the compost bins and turns it into fertilizer. Throughout the year, we were able to compost a total of 2,783 pounds filling a total of 73 Tais Containers weighing an average of 35-40 pounds each. Adding up all our composting efforts, AD&V® has successfully composted a total of 2,973 pounds since we began this initiative with Tais in 2021.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

AD&V® TEAM MEMBER WAS RECOGNIZED AS A 2022 SDG PIONEER FINALIST BY THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COMPACT

Our very own Business Development & Marketing Director, Carla Joan González Vizcarrondo, was recognized as an SDG Pioneer finalist for her commitment & leadership in advancing the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

This is a celebration of years of hard work. Carla Joan introduced new & innovative ideas to help drive AD&V®’s sustainability journey forward. Her efforts and contributions have showed that small and medium businesses play a huge part in creating a sustainable & better future for all. Carla was recognized alongside companies like Microsoft and PepsiCo, empowering AD&V® and other SMEs to believe in the unique perspectives they can bring to the table. Bravo Carla! A genuinely well-deserved recognition.

BAYSHORE VILLAS WON A 2022 MULTI-HOUSING NEWS EXCELLENCE AWARD | GOLD AWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN: AFFORDABLE CATEGORY

We are delighted to announce that our Bayshore Villas project has been awarded the 2022 Multi-Housing News Excellence Award! Bayshore Villas received the Gold Award in the Affordable category for Best Development & Design.

Designed by us and developed by McCormack Baron Salazar, Bayshore Villas is a mixed-use and mixed-income housing development that serves as an example of what affordable housing can do to improve the lives of low- and medianincome families in Puerto Rico. As we celebrate this moment of success, we also look forward to continuing our commitment to creating more wonderful spaces and opportunities for families in need.

R3 PROGRAM WON THE DISASTER RECOVERY RECONSTRUCTION IMPACT AWARD BY THE ACPR

The Home Repair, Reconstruction, and Relocation (R3) Program project won the ACPR’s Disaster Recovery Impact Award at the ACPR’s 2022 annual convention. AD&V® provided Lead Design & Design Management Services for this project. This wonderful program provides assistance for the repair or reconstruction of single-family homes that were impacted by hurricanes Irma and/or Maria. We feel honored to be able to play a role in helping families in Puerto Rico have safe, worthy, and resilient homes.

RESIDENCE INN WON TOURISM IMPACT AWARD BY THE ACPR

AD&V® is thrilled to share that The Residence Inn by Marriott hotel project, in which our team proudly served as Lead Architect, has been honored with the Tourism Impact Award by ACPR at the ACPR’s 2022 annual convention.

This remarkable hotel opened its doors last year as Marriott’s very first extended stay in Puerto Rico. Our dedication to crafting exceptional spaces that positively influence the community and its guests continues to drive us forward!

BAYSHORE VILLAS WAS PROJECT FINALIST OF ULI’S 2022 VISION AWARDS

Bayshore Villas also achieved further recognition as one of the top five finalists for ULI’s prestigious 2022 Vision Awards in the Project of the Year category. This esteemed acknowledgment highlights Bayshore Villas as a project that embodies the mission and values of the Urban Land Institute as well as its outstanding contribution to the Puerto Rican community, both in terms of its design and its positive impact on residents’ lives. Being among the finalists is a testament to Bayshore Villas’ significance and its role as a model for affordable housing in Puerto Rico.

ENTREPRENEURIAL TOOLKIT TOWARD SUCCESS & THE COLLECTIVE GOOD

During the fall and winter seasons, our AD&V® Co-Founders Ricardo and Cristina were invited to speak at numerous events where they shared their insights on a variety of topics. However, there was one topic that consistently stood out during all their appearances: Their professional design journey and how it now serves as an entrepreneurial toolkit for success and using your business for the collective good.

Co-Founder, Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA, was a guest speaker at Puerto Rico ICON Institute’s Mentorship Day, AIAPR’s Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, and the 2022 Conference on Architecture. During those events he highlighted how his architectural journey unites community leaders, entrepreneurism, and design practice to rebuild, educate and transform social systems for the collective good. Co-Founder Cristina Villalón, was invited by Grupo Guayacán to talk about her experiences with the Guayacán Venture Accelerator (GVA) and the SDG Ambition Accelerator, and how through these programs, she gained invaluable knowledge that equipped her with the entrepreneurial toolkit to navigate the challenges of hypergrowth. Cristina and Ricardo remain committed to using AD&V® as a force for good, particularly during uncertain times, by prioritizing the well-being of their team and empowering them to make significant contributions.

As guests on podcasts like Architects at Work and The Leading Edge, Ricardo and Cristina discussed the evolving landscape of the architecture and design industry, noting the decline of the traditional business model and the need for innovative approaches. They shared success stories, emphasizing the value of a Smart City framework to address operational city and urbanization challenges. This approach tackles urban challenges by optimizing various aspects like infrastructure, mobility, and public services. It involves modernization, forward-thinking policies, technology adoption, efficiency improvement, cybersecurity, sustainability, and partnerships.

Through their expertise and inspiring examples, Ricardo and Cristina present a powerful model for how entrepreneurs can engage with their communities and transform social systems for the collective good. Their thoughtful insights and guidance continue to resonate, empower innovation, drive positive change, and create a lasting impact in our society.

AD&V® WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS OFFICE CULTURE

Throughout the fall and winter seasons, we extended a warm welcome to 7 new team members. Our joy and enthusiasm for our ongoing expansion knows no bounds!

AD&V BIRTHDAYS! NATASHA YORDÁN

September 6

ESTEFANÍA ALEJANDRO

September 15

SOFÍA ZARAGOZA

September 28

JOAQUÍN HERNÁNDEZ

October 7

CRISTINA CENTENO

November 3

RAFAEL VARGAS

November 24

CRISTINA VILLALÓN

November 29

CARLA JOAN GONZÁLEZ

December 1

EDUARDO ZAYAS

December 29

JUAN CARLOS RAMOS

January 8

ILIAN PÉREZ

January 18

MONIQUE LUGO

February 19

Lara Ibarra Project Manager & Architect Christian Reyes Design Staff

Alexandra Román Design Staff Eduardo Sepúlveda Design Staff

Joel Martínez Assistant Project Manager

Laurie Rivera Design Staff

Rafael Vargas AD&V Design Lab Specialist

OFFICE CULTURE

SPOOKTACULAR HAPPY HOUR

This year, the AD&V® Team brought Halloween to life with spooktacular costumes and a chillingly delightful office happy hour. We devoured frighteningly delicious snacks and bewitching beverages, all while having a scary good time!

BREAKFAST TEAMSGIVING AT THE OFFICE

Gobbling up both joy and pancakes, we made this Thanksgiving special with a team breakfast. Laughter and gratitude flowed as the AD&V® Team took turns appreciating each other. Lucky and thankful to have such an incredible team!

AD&V®’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Deck the halls, AD&V® style! Our annual Christmas party was a jingle-filled blast at Delavida restaurant. We turned secret elf-gifting into a genius guessing game based on monthly clues. Delicious bites, festive sips, and our favorite jingles set the scene for a night of unforgettable fun.

VALENTINES DAY COFFEE BREAK

Love was in the air at AD&V® on Valentine’s Day! Our office bloomed with a Valentine’s Day-themed bulletin board flowers, and heart decorations. We shared delicious treats during a team coffee break, where laughter flowed as freely as the coffee. Spread love and share joy – that’s the AD&V® Way!

AD&V®’S FIELD DAY @ ECO’S SPORTS PARK

This year we had our first-ever Field Day at Eco’s Sports Park where the showdown unfolded between Team Sharks and Team Ketchup in some intense goofy games. Who won? Well, the scoreboard might debate it forever, but the real victory was in the shared laughter, spirited cheers, and unforgettable memories we made. Until the next showdown, may the games continue!

YOGA CLASSES @ AD&V® HQ

Tuesdays are now transformational at AD&V®! Introducing Tuesday’s Yoga Classes, our weekly dose of wellness, where the team flexes muscles, clears their mind, and dials down stress with the magic of yoga. It’s not just a class – it’s a wellbeing revolution to a happier, healthier team!

AD&V®’S CHO TURNS 1!

Paws up for Emi, our fur-tastic Chief Happiness Officer, who turned into the wonderful world of one! The AD&V® Team gathered around to sing happy birthday while she enjoyed her own tasty treat. Here’s to more wagging tails, delicious treats, playful fun, and endless joy! Happy birthday, Emi! We love you!

THE AD&V® TEAM VISITS R3 HOUSES

AD&V® is proud to be part of the Repair, Reconstruction, and Relocation Housing Program that assists in the repair or reconstruction of single-family homes damaged by hurricanes Irma or María. Our team hit the ground, visiting houses we designed and helped build, spreading hope and joy among Puerto Rican families. Our contributions and talents positively impact people’s lives.