Pedro José Borrell Bentz is an internationally recognized Dominican architect and archeologist who has earned several awards and is recognized for the transcendence in his architectural designs.
Biography
Pedro José Borrell was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on October 6, 1944. His parents were Agustín Borrell Hungría and Rosa Bentz de Ferrari. He graduated with a degree in arts from the NationalSchool of Fine Arts in Santiago and later in architecture from the University of Santo Domingo in 1967. From 1967 to 1971 he was director of the Planning Office for the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. From 1971 going forward, Borrell has been devoted in the field of architecture and construction with distinguished contributions in the fields of photography, underwater archeology and environmental conservatism. Among his most notable architectural works are the National Aquarium, Headquarters for Banco Popular Dominicano, Juan Pablo Duarte Government Building and Novo Mundo XXI, a coastal reclamation project which will be hosted by a million square meters on the Caribbean Sea, along the waterfront of Santo Domingo. In pursuit of his interests of underwater archaeology and conservation he has been Executive Director of the Underwater Archeological Rescue Committee since 1979, responsible for rescuing national heritage immersed in the remains of ancient shipwrecks off the Dominican Republic’s coast. His experience in this field has prompted him to write several books and articles on the subject which have been published both nationally and internationally. He has written articles in Geomundo, Unesco's Museum Magazine and in Dominican News Paper Listín Diario. Has also published several books: Arqueología Submarina en la República Dominicana, Planificación Física de la Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra y Rescate del Galeón Concepción. He is also co-author of Navegantes y Náufragos and co-editor of La Aventura del Guadalupe, both published in Madrid, Spain and Novo Mundo XXI, a coastal reclamation project which will be hosted by a million square meters on the Caribbean Sea, along the waterfront of Santo Domingo.
Notable Works
Mall Galería 360, 2010
Cerarte's Eastern Branch, 2009
La Altagracia Museum, 2009
Playa Turquesa Project, 2006
Stanza Mare Project, 2004
Novo Mundo XXI, 2003
Centro León, 2000
Santo Domingo's National Aquarium, 1986
Headquarters for Banco Popular Dominicano, 1990
Barceló Tambor Beach Hotel, 1992
Master Plan Facenda, 2008
Americana Hardware Store, 1995
Headquarters for Group León Jimenes, 2000
Nestlé Headquarters, 1997
Government Building Juan Pablo Duarte, 1971
Titles
1967-1971 Director of the Office of Physical Planning of the Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra
1968 Founder of the famed photo group “Jueves 68”
1975 Founder of Underwater Research Group
1979-2000 Led the Submarine Archaeological Rescue Committee
1967 Award for best student in architecture awarded by CODIA
1972 Highest Silver Prize of the Jaycees
1990 The Dominican Society of Architects selected "20 Paradigms Buildings in the Dominican Republic in the 20th century”, two of which were designed by Borrell
1992 The Dominican Chamber of Construction awarded the prize "Work most Technologically advanced for its time" for the design and construction of the National Aquarium
1993 The Scientific Community Loyola awarded the Loyola Prize for his scientific contributions to the national community
1994 His name appears in "International Who's Who in art and antiques"
1997 One of the Dominicans included in "One Thousand Profiles of the World"
Contests
1970 Duarte Market
1971 Government office Buildings
1974 Dominican College of Engineers and Architects
