THE FIRM: VIEQUES VERDE, LLC

Vieques Verde was established for the purpose of developing quality building projects that work with the environment to satisfy the functional and financial requirements of the sponsors while contributing to the aesthetics and sustainability of La Isla Nina in a demonstrably positive way.

The creation of buildings is a two part process. The first is design, and the second is construction. Vieques Verde takes the integrated approach of design/build to provide a continuum of service from beginning to end for clients for whom this is important .

Vieques Verde, LLC is owned by me, Paul H. Lutton. (Narrative) I received my architectural license from the State of California in 1980 and my Puerto Rican license (19884) in 2004. I am a full time resident of Vieques.

I love what I do!

Design Philosophy

Great architecture requires a great architect and a great client. Historically, great architecture often leaks, but let’s not go there. The role of Vieques Verde is to work with the client to develop a building that meets the financial, aesthetic, and functional needs of the owner in a way that works with the environment and provides a solution contributing positively to the island’s goals of sustainability and becoming an ecotourism destination.

The resources and infrastructure on the island are, of course, limited. It only makes sense to design structures that will function appropriately for their intended use with the minimum draw on those resources. Design to provide the required thermal comfort with the minimum energy is a cause worth the effort. Landscape design to stabilize slopes and to reduce the water requirements is essential. Use of on-site recycling of water is very appropriate. A favored approach is to select building materials that are: locally available, low in energy cost (to manufacture & transport), durable, low maintenance, non-toxic, and recyclable at the end of their lives.

The climate and weather patterns are extremely enjoyable – most of the time. Nature, though, must be accounted for in the design of any structure. Obvious elements include sun, wind, rain, temperature, and storms (read hurricanes). Less obvious are tiny termites and large earthquakes. Concrete is therefore the structural material of choice. Concrete block is often used in combination with poured in place concrete. Some prefer raw gray concrete, some want concrete with integral color which I encourage, but most opt for a colored or painted stucco coat as the final finish.

Aesthetics are important to both the owner and the community. Because of the very rural nature of the island, there are few neighborhoods with homogeneous architecture worthy of emulation in any way. Prior to Hugo (a major hurricane that hit the island in 1989) many built structures from wood. Since then, FEMA has indicated reluctance to compensate storm victims for damage to homes built after Hugo unless built of reinforced block or concrete. Banks will not lend on wooden structures. Therefore, there are many simple concrete homes that have been built all over the island since then. While there are isolated architectural gems of historical significance, there is no predominant style that requires cloning. In many locations on Vieques, one has a clean canvas on which to create a structure that addresses the key issues of environment, sustainability, function, and form without competing historical constraints.

Scope of Services Offered

There are several phases to the development process:

• Program Development. This phase is composed of compiling the limits of the budget and the goals of the design solution. Functional requirements and aesthetic considerations will help determine form. The focus of this effort is in response to the stated objectives of the client.

• Design. This phase is composed of analyzing the program data, in the context of the site, and developing a couple of preliminary plans and simple sketches that will be suitable for review and discussion. Several iterations are typically required to achieve a satisfying design. After mutual agreement is reached, the preliminary plan is expanded to add the detail necessary for final approval of the design. Drawings from this phase will be submitted for pre-permits (called ante proyectos) and variances, if required, before proceeding to the next phase.

• Construction Documents. The final design is then used as the basis for the more extensive drawings. The major purpose of the drawings is to give the building department (SIP, formerly ARPE) sufficient information to issue permits and subcontractors the information required to bid and build the project under my direction.

• Construction. The design is built by Vieques Verde and subcontractors managed by Vieques Verde or by others chosen by the client.