Can Boriken's Eco-Innovations Become a Blueprint for the Caribbean?
We were delighted to be invited to visit the Earthship Puerto Rico community center in Aguada where we witnessed a beautiful vision of what sustainable living could look like for Boriken when we embrace the principles of nature like our ancestors. Designed by Biotonomy's Michael Reynolds, the local community built this space using locally sourced or recycled materials. This off-grid oasis demonstrates how innovative solutions can restore and regenerate the environment. From private wells to rainwater collection and ceilings made of local plastic waste, the Earthship is testing the best ways to disconnect on an island where electricity continues to be unstable.
Operated by Carlos Chaparro of Taína Soy Apiario and Ralfy Rabassa III of Biotonomy, this space is open to visitors and guests who want to experience off-grid living. We spent hours talking with its founders about the process of building each room and how they improved the design as it was created. We also talked about other Biotonomy projects happening around the globe, like green walls to cool city streets in Malaga, Spain.
Ralfy is Head of Business Development at Biotonomy, and has over 15 years of experience in sustainable construction and development. His expertise in aquaponics, hydroponics, and self-reliant architectural design guided us through the space.
Carlos, founder of Taína Soy Apiario and Earthship PR, who shares his knowledge as a farmer, beekeeper, arborist, and resilience specialist, helping us connect with the land and learn from nature.
A special thanks to Bilqis Benu for the introduction, we were able to visit this inspiring space alongside Alexandria Cruz (myself), Delilah Ramos, and Estrella Caban. My partner Andy helped capture some amazing group photos, which perfectly encapsulated the excitement and energy of our gathering. This visit filled us with hope and excitement for future collaborations and community-building projects in Boriken.
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This off-grid community center, nestled in Aguada's green hills, focuses on teaching sustainable practices. The Earthship buildings demonstrate six key design principles: harvesting rainwater, utilizing solar power, passive heating and cooling, using repurposed materials, sewage containment, and food production. Visitors can even rent rooms to experience off-grid living firsthand.
Biotonomy applies Nature-Based Solutions, Biomimicry, and Innovative Technology to develop autonomous buildings, communities, and cities. With a focus on collaboration and education, their work aims to create regenerative environments that go beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems.
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