This project involves the design of a modern, ecologically focused boutique guest house located in Condado, San Juan’s premier tourist district. The site, measuring just under 500 square meters, sits within a coastal community where the beach is a central attraction. To make way for the new sustainable development, an existing structure with no architectural or historical significance will be demolished. The design aims to balance urban density with a strong environmental ethos, creating a building that is both contextually grounded and forward-thinking in its sustainability approach.

Condado’s vibrant culture, shaped by its close relationship with the sea, climate, and outdoor leisure, served as a key inspiration for the architectural concept. Water, particularly its movement, was chosen as the guiding motif of the project, informing both the design language and spatial organization. This is most evident in the undulating horizontal sun-shading screen that wraps the building’s south façade, a direct reference to the movement of ocean waves. The screen not only reinforces the cultural narrative but also provides critical solar protection for the guest rooms oriented in that direction. A contrasting rectilinear vertical void cuts through this flowing screen, housing the circulation core and connecting all public spaces, which are positioned on the upper floors to maximize views and natural ventilation.

The guest house incorporates a range of passive and active sustainable strategies. Public areas feature double and triple-height volumes arranged through a split-level configuration that enhances airflow, promotes visual connectivity, and captures views of the ocean. Water remains a unifying element throughout the interiors, expressed through textures, patterns, and framed views. At the roof level, a photovoltaic solar array and two wind turbines designed for urban use work in tandem to reduce the building’s energy footprint. Rainwater harvesting systems support maintenance and cleaning needs, while permeable pavement at the ground level helps manage stormwater runoff. Together, these features position the project as a model for ecological urban hospitality in Puerto Rico.