Today is Architect's Day in the Dominican Republic, in tribute to Guillermo González, who designed Santo Domingo's first modern building and the Jaragua Hotel, which has served as an architectural model for the sector in the Caribbean. The date was designated by decree 503-88.
SANTO DOMINGO.- In the Dominican Republic, architectural trends have changed due to the boom in the real estate industry, coupled with the arrival of teleworking and the focus on offering projects with amenities that attract buyers.
With nearly three decades of experience in the Dominican market, architect Daniel Pons observes that mixed use has seen a resurgence in construction, which not only increases the profitability of projects but also revitalizes their surroundings with proposed uses.
“Many residential projects are now being developed in the “condo hotel” category, with amenities that were not previously considered but are now necessary for remote work. Mixed-use development has also seen a resurgence, which not only increases the profitability of projects but also revitalizes their surroundings with new uses,” explains the CEO of Pons Arquitectos.
In his mid-teens, while in his second year of high school, his math teacher introduced him to descriptive geometry. Immediately, he caught the architecture bug, and from then on, the path he would take became completely clear to those around him.
Architect Pons graduated in 1993 from the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU). He worked for only six months in a private office and since then has taken flight on his own, his first project being La Furgovilla, his family residence.
On National Architect's Day, when we pay tribute to these important art professionals, we share some questions we asked this veteran of the fine arts.
What area of architecture do you work in?
So far we have had the opportunity to work on almost all types and scales of design; from the headquarters of a bank to its small regional offices, from affordable housing to luxury residential towers, from urban art elements to city-scale projects.
As a company, we certainly started by focusing on corporate and commercial design; but today our portfolio includes residential, tourism, hospitality, urban, and public space projects, entertainment and cultural projects, as well as decorative pieces and textile design. Once you get involved in a design, you want to bring that vision to every possible element.
How many projects has he designed?
As someone passionate about design and tireless in the work that is architecture, we have been fortunate enough to gain the trust of numerous clients with whom we have worked repeatedly; the number of projects for me is currently a number that I do not manage.
¿What inspires an architect when designing?
Daniel Pons' architecture can be described as a geometric discourse that does not adhere to particular styles, but rather takes and leaves behind all architectural and aesthetic solutions to give each project what he calls "its personality".
How long does it take an architect to design a building?
That can vary greatly. An idea might emerge the moment you meet with the client and they describe their needs and intentions, or it could take days or weeks of brainstorming ideas and possibilities for the project, revisiting previous plans, and making adjustments until you arrive at what you want to achieve
What trends stand out today?
We are seeing projects becoming increasingly abstract in their geometry, simpler in their lines, and with an increased use of cladding and new materials. Many residential projects are now being developed in the "condo hotel" category, offering amenities that were previously unthinkable but are now essential for remote work. Mixed-use development has also seen a resurgence, not only increasing project profitability but also revitalizing the surrounding area with new uses.
How do you rate the buildings currently being erected in the Dominican Republic in terms of architectural design?
The surge in real estate activity in recent years has led to a greater number of architectural proposals, many of them of high quality and significant contribution to the urban landscape. This has differentiated one product from another and is allowing clients and developers to understand the value this brings to their projects.
Does Dominican architecture compete with international examples?
I understand that in our country we have excellent architectural works, from those of Guillermo González, Antonio Caro and Rafael Calventi, to many that are currently being carried out by young architects who are working with excellent judgment.
Do you know any talented young architects?
Right now we have a lot of emerging talent; but it is up to each of them to continue on the path of excellence and exploration, and to demonstrate their value in architecture over time.
