“I am interested in architecture that leaves a mark on the community, that transforms the landscape and that generates visual and emotional impact.”.
By Danielis Fermín
El Inmobiliario
The effects of climate change have driven a transformation in the construction sector. In this context, Yermys Peña has become a leader in the market, providing innovative and sustainable solutions.
Peña, who is an architect and executive director of Construger, has more than 20 years of experience and has led innovative projects that combine functionality and sustainability, setting trends in the design of residences, commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings, corporate buildings and exclusive villas.
In addition, he runs Studio YP, his international architecture firm, specializing in custom designs and consulting on sustainable certifications for large developments in the country, Miami and New York.
Achievements
From a young age, she had an innate need to transform spaces, which led her to study architecture. “Building isn’t just about erecting structures; it’s about designing the future, and from the very beginning, I knew my calling was to create spaces that challenge limits and provide real value.” Through Construger, she manages a portfolio of construction and development projects valued at over US$120 million.
The executive notes that she measures her milestones based on the changes they drive. “I have brought sustainability to the center of the debate in Dominican architecture, I have designed spaces that redefine the way we live, and I have built a solid career in a sector that traditionally didn't open many doors.”.
Yermys Peña believes that architecture is not just about aesthetics, it's about purpose. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
Thanks to her work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) awarded her the “Quisqueyanos por el Mundo” prize, while the Ibero-American University (UNIBE) recognized her as a “Distinguished Graduate 2024.” In 2023, Shine Magazine recognized her as a “Women Who Shine” in sustainability, and Latin Wall Street (Miami) named her a “Visionary Businesswoman and Architect” in 2024.
“If anything defines my work, it’s the way I challenge the conventional with bold and daring shapes and facades. I don’t design to follow trends or to fit into expectations; I design to provoke, to generate conversation, and to give each building its own identity,” he says.
Sustainability
“Architecture isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about purpose,” says Peña, emphasizing that “a project must be intelligent, efficient, and emotionally meaningful. Every design has to engage with its surroundings, improve the lives of its inhabitants, and challenge the conventional. If a project doesn’t make an impact, it’s not well-designed.”.
She emphasizes that “good design is not a luxury, it’s a right.” That’s why she believes that “architecture has the power to influence how we live, work, and interact. A well-designed space can increase productivity, improve mental health, and transform communities.”.
As an architect and builder, she not only conceptualizes ideas, but also executes them, leading projects that go beyond the functional and seek to generate real value.
Integrating sustainability “cannot be seen as an option, but as a minimum standard for any responsible development,” she says, emphasizing that “designing efficiently is a commitment; as a construction company, executing responsibly is an obligation.”.
The architect has led projects that combine functionality and sustainability. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
Gender
Being a woman hasn't been an obstacle to excelling in this sector. “It's been my advantage. My difference is my power,” she asserts, encouraging those seeking to make their way in the industry to find “what makes them unique and turn it into their strength. Don't try to fit into a mold, because innovation and leadership come from authenticity.”.
For Peña, barriers are tests of endurance. “The key is not to fight against them, but to overcome them with actions. When I've been underestimated, I've let my work speak for itself. It's not about proving anything, it's about doing what we know how to do and doing it better than anyone else.”.
She asserts that “excellence has no gender, but leadership is taken, not waited for. Architecture needs more women, not because inclusion is lacking, but because vision, determination, and talent are needed. And we have plenty of those.”.
Originally published in Mujer de Concreto.
Photos: External source.
