Meet the architect.
With a vision and passion for contemporary, functional architecture, José Ml. Álvarez trained between Santo Domingo and Barcelona. After 14 years at Selman Arquitectos, where he rose to Senior Design Director, he founded Álvarez Arquitectura in 2024.
In August 2024 he took a one-year pause to join Gensler Dominican Republic as a Senior Designer, gaining experience within a global design practice and strengthening his collaborative approach. In August 2025 he returned to the studio to keep developing projects that balance real possibilities with visionary ideas, guided by functionality, context and meaningful design.
- 2006Bachelor of Architecture, Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) · Santo Domingo
- 2008Master's in 3D Design and Visual Simulation in Architecture, Fundació UPC · Barcelona
- 2009Master's in Advanced Architecture, IAAC · Barcelona
- 2010–24Selman Arquitectos · rising to Senior Design Director
- 2024Founds Álvarez Arquitectura · Santo Domingo
- 2024–25Senior Designer, Gensler Dominican Republic
- 2025Returns to Álvarez Arquitectura
Our values
Our work is guided by values that keep every project grounded and meaningful.
- 01
Real functionality
Each design responds honestly and practically to the needs of its users.
- 02
Closeness
We work hand in hand with our clients so they feel part of the creative journey from start to finish.
- 03
Context
Each project is rooted in its surroundings, its possibilities, and what makes it unique.
- 04
Balance
Above all, we strive for harmony between what is possible and what is envisioned.
Our philosophy
Architecture, through design, sets out to create experiences that matter.
Each project begins with what is real —people, their aspirations, and the environment they live in— and evolves into a vision that both inspires and endures.
We see design as a way to shape not only spaces, but also the everyday lives of those who inhabit them.
Our approach
We believe the process is just as important as the outcome. That is why we work closely with our clients from the very beginning, integrating them into every step, decision, and idea. This collaborative approach ensures that the final result is not only a space that works, but a journey that feels shared.
Every project is grounded in reality: understanding the client’s possibilities, context, and environment. From there, design becomes the tool to amplify experiences, transforming ideas into spaces that bring value and meaning to daily life.
Results that balance what can be achieved with what can be dreamed.