17TH EDITION
AD&VISION
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 2017
“WHAT GETS MEASURED GETS IMPROVED” AD&V®’S 2022 IMPACT REPORT
IN THIS ISSUE •AD&V® Launches its 2022 Impact Report. •AD&V® hosts the University of Notre Dame’s FIRE Program students during their visit to Puerto Rico. •Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz features the cover of the latest edition of Tiempo de Construir magazine by PRBA. •AD&V® officially joins the AIA 2030 Commitment! •AD&V® Celebrates Earth Day with #AD&VGreenCarpet Educational Campaign Initiative.
FEATURED STORY
“WHAT GETS MEASURED, GETS IMPROVED” AD&V® LAUNCHES ITS 2022 IMPACT REPORT
In 2021, AD&V® launched its first-ever Impact Repor t showcasing all organic companywide effor ts. We are firm believers that “what gets measured gets improved.” For this reason, in 2022, we continued to measure our effor ts and developed our second Impact Repor t, effectively showcasing our ambitious corporate targets and how we tied the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our core business management practices. In our 2022 Impact Repor t, we’ve elevated our commitment to taking company metrics and keeping a dashboard to provide an enriched and comprehensive overview of our initiatives. This repor t evidences all the new initiatives we’ve introduced that emphasize our culture of appreciation, our enhanced health and wellness benefits, and our strengthened professional development programs, fur ther solidifying our dedication to becoming a “best place to work.” Additionally, this repor t delves into our team communication strategies, general processes, and marketing initiatives and outlines our ambitious impact goals for 2022. As we look back on 2022, it’s extraordinary what we can accomplish when we work together with focus and determination. By striving to become a “best place to work” providing our team with growth and wellness oppor tunities, making a difference through community initiatives, scaling the business, working to close the gender gap, and positively impacting thousands of lives directly and indirectly with our built projects we have been able to tie the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into our core business practices. For us, the impor tance of the Impact Repor t goes well beyond the SDGs. It’s our biggest accomplishment of the year because it reinforces our belief that there is value in what we do and that our work matters. It also demonstrates the impact that we can have when we use our business as a force of good. We hope to continue inspiring other companies to join this amazing initiative!
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FEATURED STORY AD&V® HOSTS THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME’S FIRE PROGRAM STUDENTS DURING THEIR FIRST-TIME VISIT TO PUERTO RICO We’re honored to have hosted the students of the University of Notre Dame’s Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate (FIRE) Program at our office headquar ters. The FIRE program’s first-time visit to Puer to Rico was initiated by our AD&V® Co-Founders, Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA, a Notre Dame alumnus, and Cristina Villalón, both members of the FIRE Advisory Board. The program’s visit, which counts as an elective credit in Real Estate for Notre Dame students, focused on educating and inspiring students on the real estate industry and the creation of valuable communities. Allowing 14 students from various academic fields and three professors to explore Puer to Rico’s cultural and historical sites and meet with business and political leaders on the island. Guided by prominent business leaders, the students analyzed key elements of successful mixed-income affordable housing development, including financing, rights, land analysis, programming, conceptual design, construction cost analysis, and the impor tance of community involvement. The program also allowed par ticipants to explore historical sites in Old San Juan, visit affordable housing projects, tour proposed construction sites, evaluate key aspects of these projects, and attend sessions provided by stakeholders, including Notre Dame alumni, community leaders, government officials, developers, and service providers. At the end of the visit and sessions, the students presented their development proposals to the stakeholders. We are proud to have collaborated with the University of Notre Dame and the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate to offer these students a unique educational experience in the real estate industry of Puer to Rico. The visit allowed the young individuals to explore and analyze key elements of successful affordable housing development while immersing themselves in the rich history and culture of our island. We firmly believe that this collaboration has planted the seed for future leaders in the creation of valuable and sustainable communities.
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FEATURED STORY
RICARDO ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ FEATURES THE COVER OF THE LATEST EDITION OF TIEMPO DE CONSTRUIR MAGAZINE BY PRBA Our CEO, Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz was featured on the cover of the latest edition of the Tiempo de Construir magazine by Asociación de Constructores de Puer to Rico. The ar ticle highlights Ricardo’s professional journey, passions, and commitment to positively develop and impact the lives of Puer to Ricans. From a young age, Ricardo was drawn to architecture. A visit to his godfather, who was an architect, sparked his curiosity when he showed him a model of the house he planned to build. From then on, he knew he’d become an architect. His career is marked by a humanistic approach. He believes architecture is more than a business; it’s a chance to make a positive impact on the community. His social responsibility earned him recognition as an AIA Fellow last year, in the category of service to society. Ricardo’s impact extends beyond architecture to his family. With his wife, interior designer Cristina Villalón, they’ve built the successful firm Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón®, sharing a clear vision of creating purposeful spaces for individuals and communities. Their par tnership showcases how teamwork can lead to success and a lasting family legacy. AD&V® currently focuses on multi-family housing, hospitality and wellness, and institutional projects, with a mission to make real social impact. They emphasize the impor tance of turning conceptual architecture into real projects to make a difference in communities. Working as a team, both the architect and the interior designer strive to bring their vision of creating spaces that enhance people’s quality of life to fruition. Ricardo acknowledges the challenges that Puer to Rico faces in its sustainable development and highlights the impor tance of continuity and long-term vision in governance. However, he also emphasizes that responsibility does not solely lie with political leaders but with all sectors of society. He emphasizes that architects should embrace collaboration, humility, and a willingness to learn for a better future. By reducing self-impor tance and listening, architects can create a positive impact, fostering an inclusive and sustainable world through architecture. 4
UNDER CONSTRUCTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION CONDADO RESIDENCE Condado, Puer to Rico
CAGUAS MIX-USE & ELDERLY HOUSING Caguas, Puer to Rico
Condado, Puer to Rico
ON THE DRAWING BOARD CONDADO RESIDENCE Condado, Puer to Rico
DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT
MARINA TOWNHOUSE REDEVELOPMENT
HARBOR WATERFRONT
WATERFRONT PROJECT
San Juan, Puer to Rico
Ceiba, Puer to Rico
Morgan’s Point, Bermuda
San Juan, Puer to Rico
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SPECIAL APPEARANCES
CHAMPIONING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS THROUGH BUSINESS PRACTICES & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT We were thrilled to showcase our work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at a series of exciting events! Highlights included Pecha Kucha #44 and the Puer to Rico Impact Investment Network launch, featuring our CoFounder, Cristina Villalón, championing the power of sustainable business practices and encouraging others to align with SDGs and measure their impact. Similarly, during Seriously Creative’s Disruptive Leaders Camp, AD&V® was used as a case study to explore how to engage small and medium enterprises in sustainability effor ts while fostering collaboration and shared purpose. Another impor tant highlight was the visit from representatives of the United Nations Global Compact to AD&V®’s headquar ters in San Juan allowing us to discuss our SDG implementation effor ts, reinforcing our commitment to the SDGs and Puer to Rico. Throughout the year, AD&V®’s Co-Founders Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz and Cristina Villalón, have been discussing the impor tance of using business as a platform for social good when invited to various events and programs. Their presentation at the London Business School provided insight into their journey of transforming AD&V® into a force for positive change, while their interview on The Real Leaders Podcast also sheds light on the origins of our f irm and how its business model sustains impact. These innovative business practices have also earned AD&V® a feature in Invest Puer to Rico’s new book INNOVATE Puer to Rico by celebrating the f irm’s role in the development and grow th of Puer to Rico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, Ricardo and Cristina’s presentation at the AIA National Conference on Architecture 2023 encompassed their vision of scaling AD&V®’s existing practice into a sustainable and socially responsible business. These appearances are a reminder of our f irm’s commitment to using our business as a catalyst for making a positive impact in the world.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT In recent months, AD&V® has been featured in numerous publications including:
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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
AD&V® IS RECOGNIZED AS AN AIA FLORIDA 2023 DESIGN AWARDS RECIPIENT IN THE UNBUILT CITATION AWARD AD&V® has been named a recipient of the 2023 AIA Florida Design Awards. Our project for “Reconnecting San Juan, PR: The impact of inclusive and resilient design strategies in shaping its urban waterfront, San Juan, PR” received the Unbuilt Citation Award. Envisioned as a catalyst for connectivity, the project aims to promote urban connectivity by improving the existing infrastructure and transforming it into a space where people can walk and enjoy. The AIA Florida Design & Honor Awards represent the most prestigious awards bestowed by the AIA Florida program, celebrating architectural excellence and design innovation. These awards play a vital role in fostering a culture of architectural excellence, promoting an increased public appreciation for exceptional design, and honoring the architects whose contributions enrich our communities and the broader architectural landscape. Through this recognition, we were acknowledged for our architectural achievements. This award serves as a testament to the enduring impact of visionary architects on our built environment. More than 250 submissions were received for AIA Florida’s 2023 Design Awards while a Panama City-based jury of architectural exper ts evaluated work from Florida and Puer to Rico. We’re honored to have received this impor tant recognition for our work implementing inclusive and resilient design strategies that improve our communities.
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AD&V® IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A 2023 TOP DESIGN FIRM ON FIVE DIFFERENT LISTS This year AD&V® has garnered significant recognitions, securing a place on five distinguished lists at both national and international levels across various facets of the industry including architecture, design, and hospitality: •
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023 by Building Design + Construction
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Top 225 International Design Firms of 2023 by Engineering News Record
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Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms of 2023 by Architectural Record
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2023 Top Design Firms by Hotel Management
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Engineering News Record Southeast Top Design Firms in 2023
These achievements reflect AD&V®’s unwavering dedication to creating spaces that not only inspire and connect but also contribute to economic growth and community development. These recognitions are a testament to the talent of our amazing AD&V® team and the unwavering suppor t of our clients who allow us to design Places of Purpose where individuals and communities can thrive.
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AD&V CARES AD&V® CELEBRATES EARTH DAY WITH #AD&VGREENCARPET EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE For this year’s Ear th Day, we created the AD&V®’s Green Carpet initiative, an educational campaign focused on sharing tips about sustainable fashion choices and responsible textile recycling across our digital platforms to create awareness of the environmental damages caused by fast fashion and its irresponsible consumption. As par t of the initiative, we set up our very own AD&V® Green Thrift Shop where team members donated and adopted second-hand clothing items to extend their lifecycle in exchange for community service hours. All unwanted items at the end of the month were donated to charity. We also hosted an office fashion show where we had a special green carpet runway in which the team strutted to show off the items they found in the clothes swap. Our goal for this Ear th Day effor t was to get people to “walk the AD&V® Green Carpet with us” to help reduce textile waste and slow down negative consumption trends.
AD&V® OFFICIALLY JOINS THE AIA 2030 COMMITMENT! AD&V® is thrilled to announce that we’ve officially joined the AIA 2030 Commitment! This initiative serves as a comprehensive guideline aimed at achieving net zero emissions in the built environment. The built environment contributes to a substantial 40% of global emissions, underscoring the critical role played by architects, engineers, and owners as key figures in addressing this environmental challenge. As a signatory, we’re committed to designing carbon-neutral projects to achieve zero net carbon emissions. Every project is an oppor tunity to design and build more sustainable buildings that contribute to a greener future!
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AD&V® JOINS FORCES FOR #DEVIOLETAPORELLOS INITIATIVE AD&V® fully embraced the color purple to wholehear tedly suppor t the #DeVioletaPorEllos initiative, led by the animal welfare advocates, No Al Maltrato Animal (NAMA) and Rabito Kontento. These dynamic duos of do-gooders are on a mission to safeguard animals and spread awareness against animal cruelty. As animal lovers, we stand together to promote empathy, compassion, and respect toward all living creatures. Together, let’s paint the world a brighter shade of kindness for every animal.
AD&V® CELEBRATES EMBELECO DAY IN SUPPORT OF SER DE PR The AD&V® Team suppor ted SER de Puer to Rico, a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering medical and physical rehabilitation services to individuals with physical disabilities and autism in Puer to Rico, by par ticipating in their Embeleco Day. With the inspiring motto “We are diverse; We are Perfect,” this initiative encouraged our team to embrace our own perfect imperfections and revel in the splendid diversity that makes each of us truly unique!
AD&V® DONATES SUPPLIES TO THE HOGAR NIÑITO JESÚS In August the AD&V® team donated supplies to the Hogar Niñito Jesús (HNJ). Since 1993, the HNJ has been a home that offers shelter and protection to children who are victims of abuse. They offer children the help they need for their healthy growth and provide them with a home environment full of love, security, trust, good treatment, and moral formation. We hope our donations can help foster a brighter future for each child.
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FROM THE ACADEMY AD&V®’S 2023 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS In the past year, we were for tunate to welcome five exceptional interns into our team through our Summer Internship and 3[D]esign Lab Internship Programs. Both of these programs are tailored for college students in their third or four th year who aspire to gain valuable insights into how AD&V® contributes to shaping the architecture and design industry. Throughout their internships, our par ticipants engaged in a wide range of activities, from sketching and designing to collaborating in our state-of-the-ar t 3D printing Lab. These interns not only contributed to AD&V® but also played a crucial role in curating, generating, and organizing design models that showcased our firm’s impressive design por tfolio. Get to know them! SIP Program | Architecture Department • Ismarie Valentín, a 1st-year Architecture graduate student at the University of Puer to Rico in Río Piedras. SIP Program | Interior Design Department • Zurisadai Burgos, a 3rd-year Interior Design student from the University of Puer to Rico in Carolina. 3[D]esign Lab Internship Program • Carolina Pérez, a 4th-year Environmental Design student at the University of Puer to Rico in Río Piedras. • Adriana Torres, an incoming 5th-year Architecture student at the Universidad Politécnica de Puer to Rico. • Jean Carlos Nieves, a 5th-year Architecture student at the Universidad Politécnica de PR We’re grateful for their hard work and wish them ongoing success in the Architecture and Interior Design fields!
Ismarie Valentín SIP Program | Architecture
Zurisdai Burgos SIP Program | Interior Design
Adriana Torres 3[D]esign Lab Program
Jean Carlos Nieves 3[D]esign Lab Program
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Carolina Pérez 3[D]esign Lab Program
UNDER CONSTRUCTION OFFICE CULTURE KEEP GROWING WITH AD&V [U]NIVERSITY This year, the AD&V® team actively par ticipated in a variety of AD&V [U] sessions, a fantastic initiative where every Friday, one of our team members takes the stage for a 30-minute presentation on a topic of their choice. It’s a unique oppor tunity for them to express themselves, allowing us to get to know them and for us to connect with and nur ture their professional development and presentation skills. The beauty of it is that every topic is different, yet somehow, they all connect back to our work and our office culture. Throughout the year, we’ve explored a diverse range of subjects, from emerging technologies to joy, from phenomenology in architecture to ar tificial intelligence, Brazilian architecture, the impact of colors, digital fabrication, digital marketing secrets, and even the ar t of enhancing creative industries and talent retention. We can’t wait for more presentations and the exciting, unexpected topics that will pop up in the future! At AD&V® we keep growing and learning every day.
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OFFICE CULTURE AD&V TEAM VISITS EMERALD VISTA The AD&V® team visited the Emerald Vista construction site! This project is more than just housing – it’s a combination of mixed-use and mixed-income living, merging safety, connectivity, and quality in one dynamic setting. We’ve given special attention to family and senior housing, making it inclusive and resilient. Our vision for this project is to transcend the standard concept of ‘home’ and foster a community that is integrated, sustainable, and conducive to a thriving lifestyle.
AD&V HOSTS 3D LAB & TWIN MOTION & VR TRAININGS Embracing the future of design, our talented Design Lab Specialist and Manager, Rafael Vargas, led an incredible training session to equip AD&V® team members with the skills to master our cutting-edge 3D printing lab, navigate the Twin Motion program, and explore the limitless possibilities of our vir tual reality equipment. We’re definitely living in a new era of design!
AD&V CELEBRATES MOTHER’S DAY For Mother’s Day week, we celebrated the remarkable moms at AD&V® who make our team shine brighter every day. To show our appreciation, we gifted them beautiful ar twork by the talented Saritza Mar tínez. From juggling work and family to being sources of inspiration, there’s nothing that these extraordinary women can’t do. We’re grateful to all the supermoms out there!
AD&V THROWS A BABY SHOWER! AD&V® hosted a surprise baby shower for our amazing Project Manager, Sofía, who’s expecting the arrival of her daughter, Amira! We swapped gifts, rocked our best shades of pink, and had an absolute blast. Amira, we’re counting down the days until we get to meet you! The AD&V® family just keeps growing and glowing!
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AD&V’S FATHER’S DAY PASTELILLO VS. EMPANADILLA EXTRAVAGANZA This Father’s Day, the AD&V® team celebrated our amazing AD&V® dads with a Pastelillo and Empanadilla extravaganza! We indulged in these delectable treats and got into a playful, never-ending foodie feud about what defines a real Empanadilla or Pastelillo. It’s official: the battle of the bites rages on!
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY As a women-led business, we par ticipated in this year’s #EmbraceEquity campaign for International Women’s Day to spread the word about the impor tance of having equal oppor tunities. By working together, we can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. Collectively, we can all play an impor tant role in forging an equal world.
DRESS AS YOUR BOSS DAY! In an exciting and unique pre-bir thday surprise, we paid tribute to our fearlessly awesome Co-Founder Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz. We aimed to honor his one-of-a-kind personality by dressing like him to reflect his signature look. Here’s to hoping we successfully captured his style and spirit!
AD&V HOSTS MINDFULNESS SEMINAR AD&V® infused our office environment with a sense of tranquility by inviting mindfulness exper t and life coach, Delia Román! She led a Health & Wellness Seminar that got the AD&V® team breathing easy, meditating, and relaxing to some soothing tunes. Delia shared her wisdom of navigating life with an open hear t, mindfulness, and self-compassion. We’re feeling zen-tastic and ready to rock our daily lives with mindfulness! 15
SAN JUAN
MIAMI
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9000 NW 15th St., Unit 5,
Suite 201 San Juan, Puer to Rico 00907
Doral, FL 33172 t: 786. 703 5737
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