By Amelia Cuesta
Editorial Staff El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO.- In recent years, buildings and designs have evolved: they are increasingly taller, more luxurious, and more spacious… Should buildings be like this when climate change forces us to be increasingly aware and attentive to the damage we cause?
El Inmobiliario interviewed architect Yermys Peña, who gave her point of view on architectural trends in the Dominican Republic for 2023 and offered her recommendations.
“Without a doubt, this will be the year of ecological awareness. Climate change has been a central theme in international forums, and for good reason: its effects are visible, not only in natural habitats but also in urban environments. Events like COP27 highlighted the importance of efforts to achieve net-zero emissions and the challenges we face. The construction industry accounted for 38% of global CO2 emissions,” the expert comments.
He understands that in 2023 sustainable architecture will continue to grow from the optimization of green spaces for urban heat management, the reduction of energy and water, and the use of materials with lower emissions to minimize the carbon footprint.
"On the other hand, the use of technology continues to increase. In design, the implementation of the BIM (Business Information Modeling) method is becoming increasingly common, which serves to optimize resources and reduce construction costs and time, making them more precise," the environmental activist points out.
In his opinion, new technologies allow the creation of intelligent buildings whose objective is to self-manage, learn, anticipate and adapt without the need for intervention or recognition from their users.
“A smart building uses its intelligence to collect actionable data from the devices, sensors, systems, and services used by people on the premises. Ambient temperature, lighting, shadows, energy, and water usage can all be easily and automatically adjusted based on sensors and monitors,” explains the architect
Yermys Peña believes that the real estate market has evolved favorably in terms of size and design, embracing the use of diverse materials and new techniques. Thanks to this, the trend toward mixed-use buildings is gaining momentum, she notes.
Ecological constructions
"The Dominican Republic is in a stage of awakening regarding sustainability in construction. A legislative and financial boost is needed to move forward at the speed that climate change demands," the architect explains.
In his case, he explains, he owns several buildings with LEED and EDGE international certifications. "It hasn't been easy, but we've shown that it's possible and profitable," he asserts.
For Yermys Peña, green building depends largely on the willingness of promoters and developers. "One is not legally obligated to do it; it's a matter of education, responsibility, and sound judgment in order to preserve natural resources for future generations," she maintains.
He recommends that the various stakeholders in the sector align themselves with best practices. “Good architecture is sustainable, it’s that simple. Similarly, a responsible builder will be concerned with making their business successful and profitable, but will also be concerned with ensuring that the building they construct and put into operation has reduced costs for owners and minimal environmental impact,” Peña concludes.
