Jesús Meléndez Vazquéz
Es un académico de la arquitectura cuya trayectoria profesional se distingue por su sólido enfoque en la Historia, la Teoría, con una especialización en el contexto de Latinoamérica y Puerto Rico. Posee una maestría de Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), lo que respalda su rol actual como Coordinador de Historia y Teoría y Profesor Adjunto en la Escuela de Arquitectura y Diseño PUCPR desde 2019. Su compromiso con la disciplina se manifiesta a través de una intensa agenda de investigación teórica de vanguardia (con publicaciones y presentaciones sobre temas de cambio climático, Gen-AI y morfología digital), que ya le ha merecido un Honorable Mention en los premios AIA Design Honor & Awards de 2025. Es un profesional con experiencia práctica previa y un candidato activo para la licencia NCARB, lo que lo posiciona como un perfil integral que une la enseñanza crítica con la práctica reflexiva de la arquitectura.
Courses Taught:
- ARHT 301: Architectural History III: Latin America & Puerto Rico
- ARAD 102: Architectural Design Fundamentals II
- ARAD 201: Analytical Design Studio I: History & Theory
- ARLA 201: Ethics, Professional Practice & Contractual Procedures
Educational Credentials:
- 2017-2019| Master of Architecture: Advanced Standing Program, Rhode Island School of Design
- 2012-2016| Bachelor of Architecture Pontifical, School of Architecture and Design PUCPR
- 2014| Jose Ortega y Gregorio Marañon Foundation | Minor Degree in History & Theory
Teaching Experience:
- 2021- Present| History & Theory Coordinator, School of Architecture and Design PUCPR, Ponce, PR
- 2019- Present| Adjunct Faculty, School of Architecture and Design PUCPR, Ponce, PR
- Spring 2019| Course instructor, Rhode Island School of Design
- Fall 2018| Teaching Assistance: Rhode Island School of Design
- Spring 2018| Teaching Assistance: Rhode Island School of Design
Professional Experience:
- 2018| Junior Architect | Mendez, Brunner, Badillo and Associates, Puerto Rico
- 2012-2015| Architectural Intern | TagD3, Puerto Rico
Licences/Registration:
NCARB: Architectural Licensing Candidate | Jurisdiction: Florida
Selected Publications and Recent Research:
Publication 2024: Melting: Can you see the heat?
- 2024 International Conference- Inflections | Querétaro, Mexico
- Authors: Jesús Meléndez & Marisela López Rivera
Publication 2019: In the Wake of the Atmos+Sphaira
- Arch Dissertation
- Supervisors: Amy C. Kulper and Carl Lostritto
Publication 2016: Primitive Rule: Space Recalibration for City System
- Arch Capstone Project
- Supervisor: Luis Ayala Rubio and Alberto Dueño Jordan
Publication 2014: Marvel: Vida y Obra de Thomas S. Marvel
- Academic Research Project
- Authors: Jesús Alfonso & Jesús Meléndez
- Supervisor: Dr. Luz Marie Rodriguez
Recent Research: Cool Memories: On Re-Animated Personification, Pixelization, and Generative-AI
- ACSA 114th Annual Meeting: Convergence/Divergence 2025 | Chicago, IL
- Authors: Jesús Meléndez, Maireliz Luciano & Oscar Santiago
Ice Cold Manners: On Pixelization, Gen-AI, & the Morphology of Dissolution
- ACADIA 2025, Computing for Resilience | Miami, FL
- Authors: Jesús Meléndez, Maireliz Luciano & Oscar Santiago
Melting: Can you see the heat?
- 2024 International Conference- Inflections | Querétaro, Mexico
- Authors: Jesús Meléndez & Marisela López Rivera
Colonial Popsicles: Revisiting Climate Change Under the Caribbean Sun
- Academic Research Development (2023) | ARHT Experimental Unit
- Authors: Jesús Meléndez & Marisela López Rivera
Builtspace: The Ambidextrous Natures of Miesian Space
- Manuscript completed (Summer 2020) | Submission for JAE 75:1 Built
- Author: Jesús Meléndez
Professional Memberships:
- American Institute of Architects, AIA: Associate Member
- National Council Registration Board, NCARB: Architectural Licensing Candidate | Jurisdiction: Florida
Awards, Grants, and Fellowships (Selected):
2025| Honorable Mention for Theoretical Research, Category: Associate | AIA Design Honor & Awards
- Project: Ice Cold Manners. Authors: Jesus Melendez, Maireliz Luciano, Oscar Santiago.
2016| First Prize, Category: Student | XIV Biennial of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico, Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico (CAAPPR)
- Project: Liberty Priest Residency. Author: Jesús Meléndez Vázquez.
