Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel | Sergio LpezSanto Domingos Colonial City, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, is a complex urban fabric where historic layers coexist with modern interventions. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this district embodies a Renaissance urban layout dating back to the 16th century. However, as with many historic centers, the challenge lies in preserving its architectural heritage and adapting it to contemporary needs without compromising its essence. The Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel by Moneo Brock is a critical addition to this evolving narrative, engaging with the urban and historical context while proposing a forward-thinking integration model.Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel Technical InformationArchitects1-14: Moneo BrockLocation: 155 Las Mercedes Street, 10210 Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicArea: 6,380m2 | 68,674Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2019 2024Photographs: Sergio LpezEach of our 130 rooms is a reflection of the harmony between the historical and the contemporary Beln Moneo, co-founder of Moneo BrockKimpton Las Mercedes Hotel PhotographsEntrance | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezPatio | Sergio LpezSwimming Pool | Sergio LpezTerrace | Sergio LpezCourtyard | Sergio LpezHotel Room | Sergio LpezInterior | Sergio LpezBedroom | Sergio LpezArchitectural Concept and Spatial OrganizationThe architectural approach to Kimpton Las Mercedes is centered on adaptive reuse, balancing preserving historical elements with introducing contemporary spatial strategies. The project retains the existing buildings colonial facades, ensuring continuity with the surrounding urban fabric, while incorporating elevated structures and new courtyards that redefine the spatial composition of the block. These interventions avoid overwhelming the historic scale, ensuring the new additions remain subordinate to the original context.The courtyard concepta typology deeply rooted in the colonial architectural tradition of the Caribbeanbecomes a primary organizing element. The original central patio, preserved during the renovation, serves as the hotels core, linking interior and exterior spaces while maximizing natural light and ventilation. Additional open-air spaces reinforce this logic, creating a network of interconnected courtyards that foster permeability and spatial fluidity.The circulation strategy further emphasizes this integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Perimeter corridors surrounding the courtyards allow for uninterrupted views, reinforcing a sense of continuity and openness. Balconies and terraces extend the private realm into semi-public zones. At the same time, rooftop amenitiesincluding a solarium and swimming pooloffer a distinct vantage point over the historic city and the Caribbean Sea beyond. Through this careful orchestration of spatial relationships, Kimpton Las Mercedes achieves a nuanced balance between privacy and engagement with the urban landscape.Materiality, Construction, and SustainabilityMaterial selection is fundamental in embedding the project within its cultural and environmental context. The architects have employed a restrained palette of locally sourced materialstravertine, ceramics, and woodto establish a tactile dialogue between the hotel and its surroundings. Using these materials enhances the projects aesthetic coherence and reinforces a commitment to sustainability through regional sourcing and craftsmanship.Ceramics, traditionally associated with vernacular architecture in the Caribbean, are used as vertical cladding elements, lending a sense of continuity between interior and exterior surfaces. Travertine flooring, with its natural variation in texture and tone, complements the warm climatic conditions, while wooden elements contribute to a sense of material authenticity. These materials, selected for their durability and environmental responsiveness, demonstrate an understanding of the sites historical and climatic demands.Beyond materiality, the project incorporates passive design strategies to enhance environmental performance. Shading devices, such as aluminum louvers, mitigate solar gain while preserving visual connections to the exterior. Cross-ventilation principles are embedded in the courtyard typology, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. Vegetation within these open-air spaces further contributes to microclimatic control, creating shaded, comfortable environments throughout the hotel. By integrating these sustainability measures seamlessly into the architectural language, Kimpton Las Mercedes exemplifies a model where environmental responsibility enhances, rather than compromises, design integrity.Architectural Legacy and Broader ImplicationsKimpton Las Mercedes represents a critical shift in the discourse surrounding heritage conservation and contemporary architectural intervention. Rather than treating preservation as a static exercise, the project reframes it as an active process that accommodates change while maintaining historical continuity. This approach challenges the conventional dichotomy between old and new, illustrating how sensitive design can reconcile historical authenticity with modern functionality.The project also serves as a case study in rethinking hospitality within a heritage context. By embedding public spaces within its program, the hotel extends its role beyond that of a private accommodation facility, becoming an active participant in the citys life. This blurring of boundaries between private and public realms fosters a more inclusive model of urban integrationone where architecture facilitates rather than isolates social interaction.Kimpton Las Mercedes contributes to ongoing discussions about sustainable urban development in historic centers. As cities worldwide grapple with preservation, tourism, and urban growth challenges, projects like this offer valuable insights into how architecture can mediate between conservation and progress. The hotels design demonstrates that contemporary interventions in heritage contexts need not be disruptive; they can serve as catalysts for thoughtful, context-sensitive transformation.Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel PlansSite Plan | Moneo BrockGround Plan | Moneo BrockFirst Floor | Moneo BrockSection | Moneo BrockElevation | Moneo BrockElevation | Moneo BrockKimpton Las Mercedes Hotel Image GalleryAbout Moneo BrockMoneo Brock is an international architecture, planning, and design studio founded in 1993 by Beln Moneo and Jeff Brock. With offices in Madrid and strong ties to New York, the firm focuses on sustainable and context-driven design across various scales, from urban planning to interiors. Their work integrates environmental responsibility, material innovation, and a deep sensitivity to cultural and historical contexts, with projects spanning Spain, the USA, Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.Credits and Additional NotesLead Designers: Beln Moneo, Jeff BrockClient: Megeve Investment OfficeDesign Team: Javier del Pozo, Federico Prez, Laura Cerpa, Peter Rae, Laura Alonso, Francisco Blzquez, Gador Potenciano, Yaiza Camacho, Maite Rodrguez, Enrique Gonzlez, Miguel de la OssaStructural Engineers: Calter IngenieraBuilding Services Engineering: Engineers AssesorsTechnical Architect: Aparejadores ACCContractor: Aybar ConstructoraInterior Designers: Pepe Deudero and Linette NardiLighting Design: CA2LLandscape Design: PWP StudioBrand: Kimpton IHGOperator: IberostarElectrical Consultants: EstelWoodwork: Alumader