Fulfilling the obligations of such a demanding career, not only in terms of time but also financially, especially considering that these resources are often scarce, represents a great responsibility, both in terms of personal aspirations and the quality of the country's professionals. Achieving these accomplishments demonstrates to young people that anything is possible if you want it.
By Amelia Cuesta
Editorial Staff El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO.- The victory of the Dominican Steel Association (Adoacero) 2022 competition is in the hands of three passionate architecture students from the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU): María Gabriela Dotel Hernández, Romina Mejía Mejía and Rohanny Ureña Mejía.
The idea arose thanks to the School of Architecture and Urbanism of UNPHU and its annual tradition of promoting the competition among students, encouraging them to participate by using the creativity and technical knowledge acquired during their studies, the main foundation of the challenge.
The future architects are in their 11th semester of a total of 12. During their studies, they have demonstrated their dedication and passion, always giving 100% in everything they set out to do, virtues that have been positively rewarded in their grades throughout the program.
This is what they told us during a conversation with El Inmobiliario, an interview they agreed to after clarifying that they couldn't give further details about the project until the winner of the international competition was announced. We're sharing the five questions we asked the newly crowned student winners.
What do you think of the architectural models that RD is currently implementing in its constructions?
In general, with the country's architectural vision, we should take more into account the tropical climate of the Dominican Republic, making the design and materials used more flexible, while still considering the conditions of natural disasters.
We believe that the new generations of architects that are emerging have the possibility of proposing these changes, making Dominican architecture part of the country's identity.
Do they consider themselves role models for young people?
We believe that every graduating undergraduate student, especially in our case, architecture, is an example for young people because carrying out and fulfilling the obligations of such a demanding career, not only in terms of time but also financially—keeping in mind that these resources are often hard to come by—represents a great responsibility, both in terms of personal aspirations and the quality of the country's professionals. Achieving these milestones shows young people that if you want something, you can achieve it.
What are your plans for the future?
María Gabriela Dotel Hernández: “My plan for the future is to specialize in a field within architecture and possibly start my own company.”.
Romina Mejía Mejía: “I hope to gain experience for a few years in a company related to set design or ephemeral architecture, and God willing, if possible, pursue a master's degree in set design abroad, since there are no postgraduate schools with this focus in the country. At the same time, I will dedicate myself to dance and teaching it.”.
Rohanny Ureña Mejia: “To study another career and develop different ventures that I have in mind.”.
What specialty would you like to pursue?
María Gabriela Dotel Hernández: “Scenographic Architecture or Interior Design.”.
Romina Mejía Mejía: “The branch of architecture that most appeals to me is set design, since I am also a dancer and it would be the ideal way to combine my two passions, complementing my knowledge of one with the other.”.
Rohanny Ureña Mejia: “I’m still not sure if I want to specialize in Architecture, but I do want to study another career, which is Fashion Design.”.
What can you tell us about your project?
The preliminary project is a laboratory for the industrialization of housing and lighting technology. It addresses certain problems identified in Santo Domingo, incorporating recycling and industrial prefabrication, and constitutes a model that can be considered in the future as a basis for solving these problems.
The students, led by architecture professor Jenny Annelisse Garrido Gautreaux, will present their project at the 15th edition of the Congress of the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero), whose main focus is industry, innovation and infrastructure.
The steel design competition for architecture students will take place in Brazil next November.
