image: Vilma Pérez Blanco
I met Vilma Pérez Blanco in 2004 when I returned home to Puerto Rico from the Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design after completing a Master in Landscape Architecture. Vilma was one of the first landscape architects I contacted while searching for jobs in Puerto Rico. She could not offer me a job at the time, but instead, she offered me her guidance, advice, and friendship, which have been way more valuable than any job. Her strong will and character, her energy and enthusiasm for each project she has worked on for the last 54 years have inspired many of her colleagues and young professionals. Through friendly conversations on her rooftop terrace and more formal interviews for local newspapers, I learned about her passion for design and her commitment to improve the public spaces in Puerto Rico. She has been a key person in the development and recognition of landscape architecture in Puerto Rico. Her design work includes a wide range of projects in scale, types, and clientele, while her active role in public and private organizations has created a positive impact on the role of the landscape architect in society.