Puerto Rico, in it’s short 516 year-old political history, has been under the sponsorship of two different parent countries. Such a diverse context equipped the island with a rich and detailed history of its construction sector, particularly in techniques, practices and ways of building.

This publication chronologically documents this record through a balanced presentation of research and a dense photographic archive, some of it unpublished before. The book jacket, a touch-point with potential readers, hints at the never ending nature of the topic through visual cues about the completion of the illustrated work-in-progress. A book of this size, both in pages and dimensions, called for a layout where readers could read, learn, reflect, enjoy, share, or just use as quick reference. Image captions, traditionally attached in proximity to the content they represent, here portray a narrative of their own, not only complementing the visual, but also providing a secondary text that can be read in conjunction with the rest of the composition or in an independent manner.

The publication concentrates on the process of construction, not the final outcome.

For those with more curiosity and interest, the cover hints at the finalization of the illustrated bridge.

There is a constant play between images and text, repeatedly changing the landscape and revealing new surprises for the engaged reader.

BOOK CREDITS _ Historical Investigation and Content Guillermo A. Baralt Editing Matilde Albert Robatto Design and Concept Alberto Rigau, estudio interlínea Layout Production Assistant Alfonso Gómez Arzola Typography Auto, designed by Akiem Helmling, Bas Jacobs y Sami Kortemäki of Underwear Cover Rendering Eduardo Miranda Printing RR Donnelley of Puerto Rico Printing Rep Luis González

PRINTING SPECS _ Print Run 3,000 Color 4/4 Paper Local matte, 157 grams Binding Hard-Cover Smythe Sewn