Recently I made use of Lego’s Design by Me service to purchase a model of one of my father’s architectural designs. The experience with the purchasing experience was bitter-sweet, but the model arrived and I was able to build it in under seven hours!

This past week, while researching through Dr. Arturo Dávila’s personal library, I came across a stack of pamphlets, about 11 of them in total, sewn and bound in varied marbleized papers. Trim-wise, these are considerably small, ranging from 3×4.5 inches to 5.5×8 inches, and yet, they called my attention. Don Arturo, as wise as he is, felt as my eyes were drawn to the colorful spines. “Pick them up; take a look“. In the process, he explained that these reproductions were used by the Church to spread its message. Little did I know, my curiosity had brought me to a series of original 18th Century texts—printed versions of homilies recited by Catholic priests in Mexico.

To share these, I took the time to scan one of the leaflets in its entirety. Please note a curious type treatment that has been killing me since I became aware of it: at the end of every page the typesetter included the first few characters of the word that follows on the next page. I had never seen this kind of strategy employed, and it was used in almost all of the documents, printed in a range of many different years, which means it was not a one time thing.

In their time, these documents would have probably not attracted any aesthetic conversation, but today, I can’t help but see them with a clinical eye, and hold them in my hands with admiration. Right now, everything about them—texture, color, smell, sound—is just fantastic. More importantly, each and every one of them holds some kind of typographic lesson that I can learn from.

Click on any of the images for a larger look.

Cover | Indice Anotado, 13 years of Mid-Career research investigations from architecture students of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

Jorge Rigau, FAIA, founding dean of the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico; Miguel Rodríguez, current dean; and funds from the Historic Preservation Office of Puerto Rico have made it possible to publish the Índice Anotado (Anotated Index). This publication documents the Mid-Career research investigations completed by students at the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

These texts were completed between 1996 and 2009 and executed by students at the end of the 3rd year of study. Their topical range is extensive, and most are complemented by photographs, drawings and inventories that will be useful to others following similar lines of research. While the collection is mainly about Puerto Rico, some projects look at Cuba, Dominican Republic and Panamá.

The index is organized by themes, and while some overlap, researchers will have to asses the focus areas of each of their topics to find relevant investigations. The documents are written in Spanish, but the the index provides a blurb about each of them in English to expand the ideas to a larger audience.

Copies of the full writings will be available for public consult at the library of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and at the library of the Historic Preservation Office. The Índice Anotado has been designed by Alberto Rigau and published by Editorial Revés.

Back in the 60′s, Puerto Rico’s government considered the development of a social housing project called “Habitat“. The monstrous structure had its life, for pre-fabricated pieces were actually ordered and many arrived on the island. Thankfully, it was never built.

As this cartoon from 1969 satirically emphasizes, the social implications associated to the design of this structure would have only lead to a catastrophe. It’s labyrinthic layout would have provided a space for crime and drugs to prosper, and a new meaning to the term “cacerío“.

It’s a learning experience to look back at these materials. As a designer, I can imagine all of the blind efforts that must have been pushed forward by the building’s creators. As this case clearly illustrates, designers have the responsibility of understanding the implications of one’s work, specially if the social impact is at a scale that affects communities or cities. Of course, you may think “duh”, but proposals like Habitat make me aware that not everyone out there actually thinks this way.

Today, there are a few of the prefabricated pieces of the Habitat still around Puerto Rico.

Recently my father, an avid architectural historian, managed to track 2 of them down in the town of Arecibo. These pieces never fulfilled their original purpose, but today form a new kind of habitat that keeps intriguing some of us whose curiosities never sleep.

Study for a commercial booth in a 1/2 scale model to test the assembly system.

While at NC State University’s College of Design I was encouraged to consistently prototype. Even though we had access to a full machine shop and a laser cutter, I always prototyped in paper. I loved the quick success granted by playing with some post-its and markers (I have to say my friend Valentina was the grad-school queen of markers who got me into the habit of using them again).

Now, a few months after leaving NC State, I am still consistently prototyping. I have to say that now, because I am trying to establish a multidisciplinary practice, I require more quick iterations than ever before, be it to keep my mind fresh or to be able to collaborate with another designer on a project.

Here I want to show a few images from two projects that are currently underway. In each of them I have prototyped using a laser cutter and some acrylic.

Custom typographic family study
Currently I am trying to make the case for a custom alphabet to be used in a company’s corporate headquarters. To make my case stronger, I decided to prototype a few of the custom letters by laser cutting them out of 1/2″ thick frosted acrylic to illustrate the presence and graphic authority that such a strategy could grant. I have yet had the opportunity to share this, but here a few images of what came out. I am now using these to study the vertical and horizontal stresses caused by the rough joints I have in my letters. I will use these models to re-shape the original hand drawn designs.

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Commercial Booth Project
For another client, Miguel Ortiz and I collaborated to design a commercial booth out of laser cut acrylic that can be re-used in many professional conventions. In order to be sure that the design would be made with precision, we made a 1/2 scale model of the final piece to study its structural system. We underwent two rounds of changes and adjustments before going into final production.

The final product, measuring 7 feet tall. It can be assembled with no ties or adhesives and reused.

Where were the Campana brothers? Did the One-Laptop Per Child deny an interview? Was Phillip Stark not available? Javier Mariscal? How come no electric cars made it to the edit? How about Massimo and Lella Vignelli? And those unsung heroes who today produce some of the most amazing work on the sustainability front? How about Catalan designer Juli Capella who constantly writes about Spanish objects, their design and influence in culture? How come Scandinavia’s and India’s work did not make it? And why were there no architects? (they happen to design a large percentage of the objects that surround us) I bet you can also instantly think of a few more examples.

This project being a film, I understand its need for editing and focus. Not everything can make it. I understand that, but… Would it have been too hard to minimize the fourth showing of one person and introduce the perspective of an up-and-coming designer? And how come Latin American design has not been referenced? (I am so shocked about the non-showing of the Brazilian Campana brothers).

As you can tell, I am a bit disappointed, but don’t let that discourage you from watching it. The film offers a rare look into the process and thinking of some of those whose work has changed the contemporary way of living. It is a good reference. It just left me with too many questions that probably only a design nerd like me will ever make…

Impressive facade overlooks the city.

I have to say that this fabric shading system not only looks beautiful, but it is very effective as well. I wish others in Puerto Rico could see that effectiveness of such an instrument. Concrete coverings are not the only solution to certain problems.

You know me, there needs to be some typography involved.

Impressive spatial sensation is provoked by the space.

A nice vertical play is at work in this interior space. Massive columns are actors in this play of architecture.

I really wonder if any of these vaults are filled with clay jars, just like it happened at Iglesia San José.

Even though it is a national icon, it still remains a church for those who wish to meditate, talk to god, etc.

Graphic tiles. Nothing less could have been expected.

When more is just definitively more.

More ceiling vaults.

And just in case, just a bit more ceiling vaults.

I wonder if this organ still works… but I have a feeling it does.

Huge space. Makes me feel so small.

6:00pm was rung when I was standing here. Ouch!

Of course, first thing is first. I have to hunt down some nice typography.

I am always surprised that more typography like this is not found in Puerto Rico.

Maybe I am the only person who finds this odd, but a young man searching to take care of older people… hmm, suspicious in my book.

Bar Europa. Strongly recommended by my father, mother and uncle. After enjoying it, I fully endorse their recommendation.

Small, cozy place.

Menu of this bar. It had some of the tastiest ham croquettes I have had in my life. (and if you know me, you are aware of my experience on the topic. jeje)

Caught my eye.

Right across from the bar.

Today I used Renfe’s Ave train as a means of transportation from Madrid to Sevilla. I had heard a lot about it before, but I had never used it. I have to say that I am very impressed with it. More so, I am even more impressed with the graphic and visual landscapes which are born when the train reaches very high speeds. Probably I am the only person in the world who like it but you can be the judge for yourself.