Since 2014, the School of Architecture at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in the Dominican Republic has developed several editorial projects. For this fourth initiative, students, alongside professor and architect Alex Martínez, have produced the inaugural edition of 'Statu Quo,' a publication examining the advanced deterioration of the country's modern heritage buildings.
The academic project is divided into two parts: a book compiling research on the selected buildings and synopses of a series of short films that make up the second, video-based component.
Foreword by Arch. Alex Martínez: Statu Quo is an academic project that joins initiatives led by the Dominican Committee of Docomomo, specialized media, and other institutions that have worked for years to preserve the architectural heritage of the Modern Movement.
This collective effort, developed within the Theory of Architecture course at UNIBE's School of Architecture, is the fourth consecutive editorial project produced in this class since 2014. Previous editions are available on Issuu.
For this first edition of Statu Quo, the study includes 15 buildings and two modern urban complexes across various locations in the country. Students researched and analyzed the current condition of these sites, creating audiovisual materials to document and project a specific concept related to their history, state, or current use. This iteration serves as a pilot to allow future classes to continue adding new case studies to the project.
This publication summarizes that research, including a brief assessment of each case's current condition. It also provides a synopsis of each audiovisual piece, accompanied by still photographs that visually introduce the reader to the themes explored.
This initiative invites reflection, but even more so, action. It is a wake-up call to society, our own profession, and the authorities in charge, who must prioritize the recognition, legislation, and protection of our heritage.
Editing and coordination: Arch. Alex Martínez Suárez [Professor, Universidad Iberoamericana UNIBE / docomomo_do]
Students: Verónica Areche, Karen Dicló, Diana Encarnación, Elízabeth Esquea, Heciara Luciano, Emely Madera, Olga Modesto, Diana Morel, Alba Reynoso, Yura Rodríguez, Nicole Rodríguez, Ashley Pepén, Daniela Pérez, Víctor Valenzuela, Maria Claudia Vásquez, and Simona Vega.
Graphic design and editorial assistance: Simona Vega
Coordination assistance: Arch. Judit Germán Céspedes
Graphic assistance: Verónica Areche and Karen Dicló
Special collaboration: Arch. Mauricia Domínguez [President of docomomo_do]
This article was written by Fernanda Amaro. The translation is powered by AI.
