Anyone can be an architect, but few can be visionaries, as brilliant architecture can translate the needs, desires, and language of a brand into a physical space that is efficient, beautiful, and ultimately, well built. This is what clients have come to expect from V Architecture. It’s no secret that the firm has been designing some of Puerto Rico’s most news-worthy projects alongside top developers and builders for more than 4 decades.
Photo by Max Touhey
A Rich History
Throughout generations, some of the most impressive buildings in San Juan were once on the boards at V Architecture. In 1980, V Architecture was founded as Jiménez + Rodríguez Barceló, and the namesake duo was a big part of some of the most significant ventures in hospitality, commercial, and public assembly projects in Puerto Rico. “It’s been 40 plus years of amazing work, and we are ready for more exciting changes with incredible optimism. We’ve had ups and downs – as has everyone – but our rich history has taught us so much. These valuable lessons give us confidence in our plans, and really help us give assurance to our clients and our team,” explains Partner and Senior Principal José A RodríguezBarceló. The team is deeply grateful to their clients, some of whom have been on for decades. For the past 20 years, President and Principal Architect Ilia Ríos has been at the helm of the firm.
Photo by Max Touhey
Photo by Max Touhey
An Eye for Design
Attesting to their motto “V is for Vision”, the drawing boards at V Architecture have been graced with some of the biggest names in and out of Puerto Rico, including top-echelon developers, and leading private brands, and V Architecture’s collaborations include architecture firms with global reach. For every project, the focus has been evidently placed on the high-style design, taking the lead through high-impact hospitality, commercial, entertainment, and healthcare projects that grab worldwide headlines. “We have made a significant mark in the hospitality scene, with over a dozen architecture, design, and site planning projects under our belt. With new projects that continue to support the Island as a leading tourism destination, we are asserting ourselves in a field that is highly demanding – in terms both of aesthetic and function”, adds President, Ilia M. Ríos.
One of their most noteworthy projects is the Puerto Rico Convention Center, a symbol of vast cultural and commercial significance for local and international audiences. The design concept for this 580,000 sq ft center brings the distinctiveness, vibrancy, and uniqueness of Puerto Rico to a world-class waterfront setting. Completed in November 2005, V Architecture succeeded in creating a state-of-the-art business destination for both residents and visitors from around the world. More recently, the Puerto Rico Convention Center District’s new Distrito T-Mobile has become the island’s premier entertainment destination. The project consists of a performance venue for 6,000 patrons and more than 80,000 sq ft of other entertainment spaces, as well as the 177-room Aloft Hotel.
Meanwhile, the high-profile Sabanera Health Center is a new, state-of the-art healthcare facility that elevates the local standard of care and maximizes its potential as a medical tourism hub. The predominant design focus has been placed on “nature as healer”, maximizing the use of natural light and showcasing the gorgeous surrounding views.
V Architecture has also designed ambitious urban planning projects, amazing corporate and institutional spaces, and successfully dabbled in interior design for high-profile clients. To complete our wide range of services, V Interiors was created in 2021 to provide dedicated interior design work to new and existing clients.
Photo by Todd Mason
Photo by Todd Mason
Resilience and constant evolution
Through the feasts of the construction boom in Puerto Rico, and enduring the famine of an uncertain economy, V Architecture has seen it all. In a post-pandemic commercial environment, V Architecture came out not only standing strong but thriving, evidencing that resilience and constant evolution are values they know too well.
Photo by Max Touhey
