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Wrapping up on Women’s History Month and our Women Who Shape Space campaign, one thing becomes very clear: the women sha...
31/03/2026

Wrapping up on Women’s History Month and our Women Who Shape Space campaign, one thing becomes very clear: the women shaping space in Puerto Rico are doing more than designing buildings—they are reshaping the very idea of belonging in architecture.

Their journeys are rooted in persistence. In showing up, even when representation was limited. In leading with excellence, even when recognition was not guaranteed. And in continuing to create, lead, and inspire—often with quiet strength, but undeniable impact.

Because their work goes far beyond architecture: it lives in the teams they lead, the paths they open, and the voices they uplift. It lives in the way they balance roles, navigate challenges, and remain grounded in purpose.

This is why representation matters. Not as a symbol—but as a force. When women are present in decision-making spaces, the conversation shifts. The perspective expands. The outcome transforms.

Because space is not neutral—it reflects who shapes it.

And women shape space in powerful ways. Not only through design, but through care, connection, and vision. They shape not just the physical environment, but the social, cultural, and emotional experiences within it.

So this is not just a conclusion—it’s a commitment.

To continue making these stories visible.

To keep opening doors.

To ensure that more women can lead, design, and transform the spaces we inhabit.

Because in the end, shaping space is shaping the world we live in—and there is still so much more to build.

Emma H. Colón Muñiz, AIA, is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience across diverse project types, budgets...
31/03/2026

Emma H. Colón Muñiz, AIA, is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience across diverse project types, budgets, and complexities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Her professional work spans healthcare, commercial, and hospitality design. Emma has served as Project Architect on public and private healthcare projects, federally funded clinics, and large-scale retail projects in Puerto Rico and the USVI. She has also led projects as a Senior Project Manager and held leadership roles as Facilities Director and Director of Construction and Projects within the property management sector. She currently serves as an Architect at the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Juan.

In academia, Emma has been an Adjunct Professor in the Interior Design Department at the University of Puerto Rico since 2017. She has been an active member of AIA Puerto Rico since 2010, previously serving on its Board of Directors as Secretary, Director, and most recently as Vice President in 2022. She has also contributed to professional committees within the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas.

Emma is the Co-Chair of the AIA Puerto Rico Women in Architecture Committee, which she co-founded with fellow architect Monique Lugo in 2025—one of the most meaningful roles of her career to date. Deeply committed to elevating the visibility and impact of women in architecture, she creates spaces for mentorship, dialogue, and shared growth. Through her leadership, she champions equity in both practice and history, celebrating the diverse talents that shape our built environment and our collective future. Her vision is seen in campaigns such as Women Who Shape Space which create a platform for visibility and dialogue amongst the architecture and design community.

Instagram: .colon.muniz_aia

Monique Lugo, AIA, is an architect with over 28 years of experience who has defined her career by a commitment to excell...
31/03/2026

Monique Lugo, AIA, is an architect with over 28 years of experience who has defined her career by a commitment to excellence, technical rigor, and the advancement of the architectural profession. Currently serving as the Architecture Department Head, Business Development Executive, and Associate at Benítez Ramos & Associates (BR+), she manages complex, large-scale projects that transform the future of the island’s landscape.

A proud alumna of the University of Michigan, Monique earned both her Bachelor and Master of Architecture in Ann Arbor before returning to Puerto Rico to leave her mark on the built environment. Her expertise spans infrastructure, disaster recovery, and community development, where she is known for a proactive, intelligence-led approach to design strategy and project implementation. To Monique, architecture is not just about design; it is about navigating the intricate balance of cost, schedule, and risk to deliver meaningful results.

Beyond her technical contributions, she is a leader within the architectural community in Puerto Rico. Having served as the President of AIA Puerto Rico in 2022, she continues to lead as the Co-Chair of the AIA PR Women in Architecture Committee. Her work with WIA is fueled by a passion for visibility and mentorship, ensuring that the contributions of women in design and construction—from architects and engineers to contractors and interior designers—are recognized and celebrated.

Monique remains dedicated to her roles as a professional leader, a board member for Caras con Causa, and a mentor. When she isn't managing design or planning the next WIA campaign, she is a proud mother of two adult children and an advocate for the transformative power of women who shape space.

Instagram:
Facebook: monalugo19

Elisa M. Umpierre López, AIA, is a licensed architect with 28 years of experience and the founder of EMU ARCH Green Arch...
31/03/2026

Elisa M. Umpierre López, AIA, is a licensed architect with 28 years of experience and the founder of EMU ARCH Green Architecture Studio LLC, a women‑led and WOSB‑certified firm in Puerto Rico. She leads commercial, retail, and adaptive‑reuse projects with a 360° approach that integrates education, design, strategy, compliance, and sustainability.

She believes in technical excellence, professional ethics, and the idea that reputation is built through consistency and persistence. Designing well is not enough; one must also lead well and sustain results over time.

She is passionate about art, architecture, and fashion as expressions of creativity and structure. For her, design is not just aesthetics; it is character.

As a Senior Mentor for AIA Puerto Rico's Women in Architecture Committee, she actively prepares women to lead, become licensed, and occupy decision‑making spaces. Her commitment is to shape leaders with judgment, discipline, and vision.

www.emuarch.com

Instagram:
Facebook: emuarchgreenstudio
LinkedIn: Elisa M Umpierre Lopez, EMU ARCH green architecture

Isabel Pérez Franceschini, AIA, is a Puerto Rican architect and artist with more than two decades of experience in desig...
31/03/2026

Isabel Pérez Franceschini, AIA, is a Puerto Rican architect and artist with more than two decades of experience in design, project management, and creative practice. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame in 1999 and began her career in the private sector, where she worked on the design of schools, residential buildings, and mixed‑use developments, while also managing multidisciplinary teams through 2008.

Since 2009, she has practiced independently, focusing on residential design and the management of rental properties while raising her three children. This period strengthened her organizational skills, spatial sensitivity, and her commitment to human‑centered design.

Isabel is currently dedicated to her artistic practice, continually exploring new techniques, materials, and creative challenges that expand her visual language.
She also contributes to the architectural community in her role as the Communications Director for AIA Puerto Rico's Women in Architecture Committee, where she supports visibility, collaboration, and representation for the women who shape space.

Instagram:

Verónica A. Castro, AIA, is a registered architect with over 15 years of professional experience in the design and const...
31/03/2026

Verónica A. Castro, AIA, is a registered architect with over 15 years of professional experience in the design and construction of hospitality, multifamily, transportation, and commercial projects. Her work spans a wide range of project scales, budgets, and collaborative team structures, with contributions across California, New York, and Puerto Rico. As an Associate at Marvel, she works closely with firm leadership on business development efforts and participates in firmwide strategic initiatives.

Her professional focus is on delivering well‑executed architecture from concept through design and construction. She values a highly collaborative process, working closely with clients, multidisciplinary consultant teams, and contractors to ensure that each project meets design intent while serving both the client and the broader community with integrity and care.

In addition to her project work, she is deeply committed to professional mentorship. As the current Senior Mentorship Director for AIA Puerto Rico's Women in Architecture Committee, she actively supports emerging professionals, emphasizing the development of both technical expertise and essential soft skills. Through mentorship and leadership, she aims to help shape a more inclusive, confident, and capable next generation of architects.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/castroveronica/

Kiara De León Rivera is an architect in training and a graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Puert...
30/03/2026

Kiara De León Rivera is an architect in training and a graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where she earned both a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture. Her professional interests center on sustainability, bioclimatic design, and the integration of emerging technologies into contemporary architectural practice.

Before assuming her current role, Kiara worked as a research assistant at FabLab UPR, contributing to projects that explored the intersection of digital fabrication, parametric design, and biomaterials. Her work focused on material and finish innovation, and she provided guidance in digital prototyping processes, including laser cutting and 3D printing.

Kiara currently serves as a Project Architect at Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto csp., where she supports the preparation of construction documents and participates in construction administration for institutional, educational, and historic preservation projects.

In addition to her professional practice, Kiara is actively engaged in leadership and service within the architectural community. She serves as Website Director and Continuing Education Director for Women in Architecture Puerto Rico (WIAPR), supporting digital communications and professional development initiatives. She is also the Associate Director of the AIA Puerto Rico Board of Directors and represents the chapter nationally as the State/Territory Associate Representative (STAR) within the AIA National Associates Committee. Additionally, she serves as Co-Chair of the AIA Puerto Rico Emerging Professionals Committee and was a mentee in Arquitina Cohort 10.

Kiara has completed all Architectural Experience Program (AXP) requirements and is currently focused on completing the remaining divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) as she advances toward architectural licensure.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiaradeleonrivera

Sofía Capllonch, Associate AIA, is an architect in training at HACEDORMAKER_Arquitectos, with a Bachelor in Environmenta...
30/03/2026

Sofía Capllonch, Associate AIA, is an architect in training at HACEDORMAKER_Arquitectos, with a Bachelor in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Her work experience includes institutional projects of varying scales. She has also served as a mentor in architecture workshops at Fundación por la Arquitectura and as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture. She is currently a licensure candidate completing the ARE.

Sofia volunteers as the Director of Mentorship for the Women in Architecture Puerto Rico Committee and she is also a Board Member of the CAAPPR serving as the Delegate for Architects in Training and Landscape Architects in Training.

She combines architecture with her passion for music, writing, and playing guitar as part of a local punk band, Tapaboka. Her interests include architectural theory and research, graphic design, and the intersections between music and architecture.

When she’s not studying or rehearsing for a gig, you can find her spending time with her three cats or listening to vinyl.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sofía-capllonch-pérez
Instagram: .ia.png

Adriana M. Torres, Associate AIA, is an architect in training with professional experience across institutional, commerc...
30/03/2026

Adriana M. Torres, Associate AIA, is an architect in training with professional experience across institutional, commercial, residential, and retail projects.

Throughout her career, she has participated in the design process, project development, construction documentation, and construction administration. This exposure has led her to gravitate toward project coordination and to develop a strong understanding of the full life cycle of a project, from concept through completion.

Her education and work experience have shaped a practical, detail-oriented approach, with a strong interest in clear processes, collaboration, and accountability.

She is passionate about contributing to honest architecture—projects that are thoughtful, responsible, and mindful of their impact on people and communities—while continuing to learn, grow, and support initiatives that empower women and emerging professionals in the field.

Adriana has played a pivotal role in the Women in Architecture PR Committee since its early days and currently serves as Administrative Director.

LinkedIn: Adriana M. Torres Martínez, AIT

Zairiangely García Planas, Associate AIA, is an architect in training from Ponce, Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of the ...
30/03/2026

Zairiangely García Planas, Associate AIA, is an architect in training from Ponce, Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

As a student, she contributed to several notable projects, including Casa Amparo, an architectural response to the aftermath of Hurricane María in Loíza, Puerto Rico. This project received an Honorable Mention in the Student Work category at the 2018 AIA PR Awards. Her thesis, “From Vestiges to Memories: Resignification of the Road Worker Shelter System”, was also highly acclaimed, receiving the American Institute of Architects Puerto Rico Honor Award in the Student Category for Theory and Research. It also won awards for Best Project in the Urbanism category and Best Capstone Project from the Puerto Rico College of Architects and Landscape Architects (CAAPPR).

With experience at various architecture firms, Zairiangely has collaborated on the design and development of projects of diverse scales and programs. She currently works as an Architect in Training at Benitez Ramos and Associates while also pursuing her architectural license.

Zairiangely serves as the Research and Data Collection Director for the Women in Architecture PR Committee and is passionate about the co-existence of old and new architecture and how they communicate and the importance of inclusive architecture.

Instagram:
LinkedIn: Zairiangely Garcia

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