Designing a dream in the Caribbean: my experience at Larimar City & Resort

When I think back on my professional journey, there's one moment that will always hold a special place: the start of my work at Larimar City & Resort. I remember that stage perfectly — full of emotion, vertigo, and above all, immense excitement. At the time I had only been practicing as an architect for a short while, and suddenly I found myself in front of a project of a magnitude I had never imagined.

I knew it was a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and leave a mark on something that would transcend through its scale, vision, and purpose. From day one I knew this wouldn't be just any project. I was the first architect to join the Larimar City team, and that meant starting from scratch: imagining how an entire city should be conceived, how to integrate it with its surroundings, and how to make the design dialogue with nature, comfort, and technological innovation. Every decision, every line, and every sketch carried enormous weight, because we were laying the foundations of a vision that was only just beginning to take shape.

The challenge of creating something unique

Being the first to shape such an ambitious project was a mix of responsibility and excitement. I felt the weight of each decision, but also the thrill of knowing we were building something that would go far beyond the architectural. You don't get the chance to participate from scratch in the creation of a city every day — much less in a setting as spectacular as Punta Cana.

My main source of inspiration was always the place. I imagined Larimar City atop the cliff, a hundred meters above the sea, surrounded by tropical vegetation with infinite views of the Caribbean. Designing with that landscape in mind was a privilege and a responsibility. I wanted every person who lived in or visited the city to feel that connection with nature from every corner. Each space had to be functional, aesthetically appealing, but also welcoming — designed for wellbeing and everyday life.

Learning and shared leadership

From the start, I had the luck of working closely with Juan Andrés Romero, who trusted me from the first day. Despite my limited experience on projects of this scale, he saw my attitude and my eagerness to learn, and gave me the opportunity to take on important responsibilities from the beginning. That trust marked a before and after in how I work.

Our collaboration was very close: we shared ideas, discussed sketches, analyzed possibilities, and made decisions that little by little gave shape to the project. Juan Andrés taught me a great deal — not only technically, but on a human level. I learned from his vision, his way of leading, and his ability to always keep the focus on excellence without losing passion.

I especially remember a trip to Punta Cana, when I was able to see for the first time the land where Larimar City would rise. Looking out at the cliff, the sea, and the nature surrounding us was an impressive experience. In that moment, Juan Andrés told me something I'll never forget: "Each person has their own life and experiences, and what we're doing here will be something very important in ours. This is something big."

Those words marked me. I understood that Larimar City wasn't just an architectural project, but a life experience — an opportunity to build a legacy that would transcend through time. From then on, I made every line and every design decision with renewed awareness and passion.

The effort behind the dream

The first months were very intense. Organizing my time and energy became a constant challenge. I learned to divide my days between strategic planning, sketches, reviews, and tracking the project's progress. I also understood the importance of listening to myself and knowing when to stop to recharge.

The most demanding phase was the conceptual definition: structuring the city from scratch, making sure every decision fit with the global vision. It was a process of continuous learning, review, and adjustment, but also an immense source of satisfaction. Every small advance reminded me we were building something truly special.

Seeing the dream take shape

Today, after several years of work, seeing how Larimar City & Resort is starting to materialize fills me with pride. The Origen restaurant and the initial structures of the Prime Towers are already a reality, and they represent much more than buildings: they're the result of thousands of hours of effort, dedication, and shared passion.

Seeing standing what once only existed on plans is a feeling that's hard to describe. It moves me to think that those spaces will soon be part of many people's lives — that they'll enjoy and create memories in places we once dreamed up on paper.

What Larimar taught me

Working on this project has profoundly transformed my way of understanding architecture. I learned that it's not just about designing buildings, but about creating experiences and bonds between people and their environment. Larimar taught me to combine creativity with technique, to make strategic decisions without losing sensitivity, and to value every detail because every line has a purpose.

On a professional level, it gave me the confidence to take on big responsibilities and the certainty that passion, discipline, and teamwork can turn the impossible into reality.

A dream made real

If I had to sum up what Larimar City & Resort represents for me, I'd say it's a dream made real — where each design reflects passion, learning, and the opportunity to create a legacy that connects people with nature, wellbeing, and the life we always imagined.

Looking back, I know Larimar marked my career and my way of seeing architecture. But beyond that, it marked me as a person. It was, and continues to be, a unique experience: a reminder that great projects aren't built only with plans and materials, but with vision, trust, and an inexhaustible passion to create something that inspires.

By Jesús Molina Trujillo

Architecture Department