Places of Purpose

PLACES OF PURPOSE showcases the 15-year combined portfolio of the Puerto Rican husband-and-wife team, architect Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz and interior designer Cristina Villalón, who merged their previously separate architecture and interior design practices to create ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ & VILLALÓN® (AD&V®). This book was in the works even before Hurricane María devastated the duo's home island of Puerto Rico-but its passing made it imperative that they finish and publish the book as planned. What...
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PLACES OF PURPOSE showcases the 15-year combined portfolio of the Puerto Rican husband-and-wife team, architect Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz and interior designer Cristina Villalón, who merged their previously separate architecture and interior design practices to create ÁLVAREZ-DÍAZ & VILLALÓN® (AD&V®). This book was in the works even before Hurricane María devastated the duo's home island of Puerto Rico-but its passing made it imperative that they finish and publish the book as planned. What is most impressive about the body of work chronicled within is that most of the projects that comprise this stunning portfolio were designed and completed during Puerto Rico's 11-year ongoing recession. Beyond the beautifully photographed images lies a story of resilience, perseverance, and pride: each project telling a powerful and moving individual story of self-realization. Against all odds, this husband-and-wife team has not only managed to sustain their design firm throughout the turmoil, but simultaneously, has built around them a solid staff and thriving office culture that has allowed them to expand their business and export their creative services-with clients as far away as Dubai- while evolving as thought leaders in their own industry and beyond.