Marvel Architects has released plans for a new research institution in Ceiba, a small town in rural Puerto Rico. The MBRIC is an innovative and practical design solution that integrates pragmatic, eco-friendly, and immersive approaches.
The new Maritime, Business, Research, and Innovation Center will be located on a site that provides academics and visitors with a unique opportunity to experience a variety of ecosystems typical to the Roosevelt Roads region, from the ocean and the Straight of Vieques to mountaintops and the rainforest.
Aside from physically situating MBRIC at the water’s edge, this viewpoint also aesthetically links it to the highland mountain ecosystems crucial to coastline life, the surrounding forest environment, and aquatic life.
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MBRIC Roosevelt Roads’ Concept
The suggested design is a circular building with a central atrium, reminiscent of the ring-shaped islands found in coral reefs. The proposed plans take cues from atolls, which are nature’s healing reactions to catastrophic disasters like volcanic eruptions and deterioration, both aesthetically and conceptually.
Marvel’s strategy begins with imagining the new MBRIC as a symbol of the region’s and the maritime economy’s commitment to ecological, educational, and commercial prosperity.
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The foundation of the design is based on a thoughtful plan to restore the site’s natural and ecology. This is accomplished by striking a balance between the facility’s program, specs for design, projected uses, and the environment in which it is located.
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The designed landscape and building concept aims to enhance the pristine state, authenticity, accessibility, and ecological balance of the site, which will, in turn, help the new MBRIC become more robust and capable of supporting cutting-edge research and innovative use of its resources in the long run.
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MBRIC is a resilient and environmentally conscious functionally equipped facility, combined with a design strategy that prioritizes calculated therapeutic site improvements, creates a harmonious use of this exceptional site that benefits not only the primary purpose for which it was intended but also the surrounding ecology, users, and the local community as a whole.
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To help secure Puerto Rico’s position in the United States more than 200-mile-long Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Caribbean, Marvel submitted a proposal in response to a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads (LRA).
Jonathan Marvel, a citizen of San Juan and the firm’s director, has overseen the completion of numerous sustainable designs across various categories on the island. If chosen, the MBRIC plan, comparable in scope to the company’s earlier Buffalo DL&W Corridor project, would be partially supported by $16 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The LRA’s Evaluation Committee, Board of Directors Selection Committee, and representatives from the local organization Bluetide, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Roosevelt Roads Community will evaluate the submitted proposals. There is currently no published project timeframe for review.
Aly Bayoumi is an editor with a sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to clarity and precision. Passionate about architecture and design, he sees every project as an opportunity to shape compelling narratives that bring creative visions to life. With a focus on accuracy and engaging storytelling, Aly combines editorial expertise with a dedication to elevating the voices and ideas that shape the built environment.