Ongoing project  that consists of a collection of ceramic tiles created from images I manipulate into patterns of former residential homes that have been converted into Airbnbs or "luxury" apartments, stripping them of their original character. It also includes images of abandoned high-rise hotels and apartments, as well as half-abandoned high-rise condos that never achieved their tenant goals.  These are meant to mimick the traditional Puerto Rican style tiles

With a predominant focus on the phenomena of gentrification and displacement in Puerto Rico. Over the past several years, I have documented these issues, observing their gradual exacerbation, culminating in my personal experience of displacement last year.  An alarming trend has emerged where foreign investors, predominantly from the mainland United States, are purchasing a vast number of properties across Puerto Rico. These acquisitions often lead to either the displacement, demolition of existing structures or their substantial renovation.                                               

This process frequently entails stripping the buildings of their distinctive Puerto Rican architectural style, which in many cases, is protected under cultural heritage laws depending on the location. These legal protections are in place to preserve the cultural and historical identity of Puerto Rican neighborhoods. However, despite these regulations, there is a growing prevalence of redevelopment projects that transform traditional Puerto Rican architecture into designs that are distinctly American. This shift is not merely an aesthetic concern, though the resulting structures are often visually incongruent and unappealing within the Caribbean context. More critically, these new constructions are unsuitable for the Caribbean climate and environment. The architectural designs being implemented are typically developed with the continental United States in mind, disregarding the specific needs and conditions of the Caribbean region.

The implications of these are profound. Culturally, the erosion of architectural heritage undermines the historical and social fabric of Puerto Rican communities. Practically, the new constructions fail to address the environmental and climatic challenges unique to the Caribbean. These buildings are often ill-equipped to withstand the weather conditions prevalent in Puerto Rico, thereby compromising their habitability and sustainability.