Team — MAPA Arquitectos LLC

Our Team

Arq. José R. Pagán Parés
Principal MAPA Arquitecos LLC

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, a Master of Architecture degree from the College of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, and a second Master's degree in the Design and Restoration of Architectural Structures from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona. I was one of the founding professors of the School of Architecture at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Since the school's opening, I served as Coordinator of the Structures Department while teaching architectural design and structural systems. I also taught at the School of Architecture of the University of Puerto Rico, where I taught advanced design studios and structural courses. Currently, I serve as an instructor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, where I teach a third-year design studio and act as a structural consultant for thesis projects.

Arq. Mercè Martínez Martín
Principal MAPA Arquitecos LLC

I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Urban Design and Architecture from the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB). As part of my academic training, I completed a year abroad at the College of Architecture of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, which broadened my international perspective on architecture and urban design. Today, I am a professor at the School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, where I teach Architectural Design, Final Design Studio, Conservation, and Construction. I also serve as the Associate Dean of the School, contributing to its academic leadership and strategic development.

Arq. Ent. Leonardo Guadalupe Correa
Junior Architect
2021 - present

I earned a Bachelor's in Environmental Design from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, between 2017 and 2022. I then completed a Master of Architecture at the same institution from 2022 to 2024, further developing my expertise in architectural design, planning, and the built environment. Focused on residential and sustainable architecture, I view design as a tool for exploration, understanding that quality and attention to detail emerge through communication, curiosity, and the relationship between people and the environment. Currently pursuing architectural licensure, I aspire to continue leading the design studio while developing into a well-rounded professional committed to contributing to a better future for Puerto Rico.

Arq. Ent. William Guzmán
Junior Architect

I earned a Bachelor's in Environmental Design from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, between 2017 and 2022. I then completed a Master of Architecture at the same institution from 2022 to 2024. I listen to the world, sketch it, and reimagine it. Trained as an architect, a musician at heart, and a designer by vocation, I navigate each project through my own creative rhythm. In constant dialogue with context and place, I am guided by a single question: what music is the space asking for?

Arq. Ent. Alejandro Rodríguez
Junior Architect

Architect in training with a Bachelor of Environmental Design (2017–2023) and a Master of Architecture (2023–2025), both from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Passionate about design, art, history, and architectural theory, his approach focuses on creating spaces with purpose, identity, and sensitivity to context. His work combines research, creativity, and attention to detail to develop projects that thoughtfully respond to the needs of people and the places they inhabit. He believes in collaboration as an essential part of the design process and in architecture as a tool for creating meaningful experiences and contributing to a better Puerto Rico.

Yariana Irizarry
Student Intern
2024 - present

I am currently pursuing a degree in Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (2021–2027) and participated in an academic exchange program at the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2025. As the field of architecture continues to evolve and innovate rapidly, I am committed to further developing my technical skills to stay current with the profession. I aspire to gain experience working on a diverse range of projects that integrate architecture and design as a whole.

Our Team

Past Collaborators