profile

Architect Nataniel Fúster is the principal partner of ‘FUSTER + Architects, PSC’, Alazar by FUSTER and a managing member of ‘CASA-i ’, both firms based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He completed his Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico and subsequently a Master’s degree in Urban Design (MAUD) and a Doctorate of Design (DDes) at Harvard University. He is the only Puerto Rican with this degree (DDes). His work explores the possibilities of natural light, prefabrication, sculptural spaces and forms as well as the integration of cultural, site specific and sustainable aspects into his designs.

His work has received numerous awards, both locally and internationally, including 9 Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA, PR chapter) and the 2011 National Prize of the CAAPPR for his residential, institutional and commercial buildings. His projects are featured in The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture (this being the first time that a project from Puerto Rico had included in the atlas), The The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century Architecture (among the world’s 1,000 best buildings of the 21st century), and in the Phaidon Atlas of Brutalist Architecture (NYT Best Art Book of 2018). One of his designs, El Blok hotel, was named as one of the best hotels of 2015 by Travel and Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller, Vogue Paris and Fodor’s Travel (of 2020). Fúster’s work has also been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and magazines such as Dwell, Architectural Record, Domus, Architectural Review, Architectural Digest, Surface and Wallpaper. He was the first Latin American whose work was included in Barcelona’s ‘Escofet’ catalog.

He is a full professor teaching Architectural design and Technology at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Architecture.