Creating tangible experiences for both brands and people alike

Principal, M. Arch., NCARB, AIA, AIAPR President- Elect, Real Estate Broker

 
Licensed Architect with over 15 years of diverse professional experience spanning teaching, architectural and interior design, construction supervision, and real estate. As the founder and principal architect of ALMATERIA, he leads projects across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors, with a strong emphasis on material innovation and socially impactful designs.

Berríos earned his Bachelor’s in Environmental Design and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico. He also participated in the Advanced Design Seminar at the National Autonomous University of México, as well as in architecture, urbanism, and art seminars at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya in Barcelona.

His passion for education has led him to an extensive teaching career. He has been an instructor at the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico and the School of Plastic Arts and Design of Puerto Rico, as well as a mentor and lecturer at the Architects and Landscape Architects Association of Puerto Rico, of wich he is a member. He has also served as an adjunct professor in architecture and interior design at the University Ana G. Méndez, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus.

Berríos has been part of the AIA PR Board of Directors since 2023, initially serving as secretary and later as president-elect. He is set to begin his term as chapter president in January 2025.  

M. Arch., AIT

Maldonado has over 15 years of extensive professional experience in design and construction supervision. She specializes in interior architecture, focusing on creating personalized experiences that incorporate exclusive furniture, custom design, and material exploration to create unique and timeless spaces.

She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico. She also participated in the study abroad program at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture in Vicenza, Italy. Additionally, she is a member of the Architects and Landscape Architects Association of Puerto Rico.  

M. Arch., AIT, AIA Associate

Artistic and creative designer focused on capturing the unique qualities of each project, crafting designs driven by innovative concepts across various scales.

Candelaria holds both a Barchelor's and a Master’s in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia where he participated in the study and design of a Cultural Center at the Convento La Recolección in collaboration with the University of the Isthmus of Guatemala. He is an AIA Associate and member of the Architects and Landscape Architects Association of Puerto Rico.

Architectural Intern  

Portuondo earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from the University of Puerto Rico, where she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Architecture. She also holds a Master’s in Advanced Studies in Architecture, specializing in Restoration and Architectural Rehabilitation, from the Polytechnic University of Catalunya in Barcelona. She is a consultant specializing in interventions on historical structures. Her focus is on culture, anthropology, and art applied to architecture, exploring new trends and techniques to achieve harmony between the past and the future.

M. Arch., AIT, AIA Associate

Feliciano holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design, a Master’s in Architecture, and a minor in Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure (Rise-Up Program) from the University of Puerto Rico. He is an AIA Associate and member of the Puerto Rico College of Architects and Landscape Architects Association of Puerto Rico.

Office Administrator

Morales holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico.

ALMATERIA is a highly creative and skilled architecture firm based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, specializing in commercial, institutional, and residential design. The firm’s approach focuses on enhancing spaces while preserving the authentic integrity of forms and materials.

Founded in 2015, ALMATERIA has successfully completed projects across the Puerto Rican archipelago, with international collaborations in México, Colombia, and Miami. The studio promote a collaborative process, integrating professionals from various design disciplines and the fine arts into each project. Committed to exploring architectural heritage, ALMATERIA also seeks to expand the possibilities of architecture’s role in the society and enriching communities.

Pillars:

- Contextual Sensitivity

- Minimalism

- Material Honesty

Values:

- Functional Creativity

- Multidisciplinarity

- Collaboration

- Sophistication

- Commitment