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ABOUT US

DESIGN. SYSTEMS.
AI GOVERNANCE.

An independent practice.

Bytes & Mortar is led by Ricardo J. Rodríguez De Santiago, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP — a digital innovation and strategy consultant, educator and speaker. His work bridges architecture and the built environment, organizational transformation, AI adoption and AI governance.

Ricardo J. Rodríguez De Santiago, founder of Bytes & Mortar
IDEASSYSTEMSPEOPLEPLACES
TEACHING
Taught AI for architects and designers through the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design.
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DIGITAL ALCHEMY
Instructor of the Digital Alchemy AI Bootcamp for design and built-environment professionals.
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SPEAKING
50+ talks and professional presentations on AI, practice and governance.
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LANGUAGES
Works in English, Spanish and French, from Paris and San Juan.
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CONNECT
Follow the work and get in touch on LinkedIn.
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PROFILE
BIO

RICARDO J. RODRÍGUEZ DE SANTIAGO

Ricardo is an architect, technologist and educator from San Germán, Puerto Rico, with more than 18 years across architecture, construction and digital innovation. He has managed the design and development of more than two million square feet of real estate, led global digital and emerging-technology programs in the construction industry, and now advises leadership teams on AI strategy, governance and capability.

He founded Bytes & Mortar in 2023 as an independent practice: senior, hands-on, and focused on decisions that hold up in operation. He works in English, Spanish and French, from Paris and San Juan.

  • Assoc. AIA · LEED AP
  • AIA DC Emerging Architect of the Year
  • BuiltWorlds Top 50 Adoption Leader
  • DCCEAS Young Architect of the Year
  • Former Advisor, AIA Strategic Council
  • 50+ talks and professional presentations

Bachelor of Architecture, Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico. Former AIAS Liaison to the AIA National Board.

EXPERIENCE

CAREER

  1. 2023–NOW
    Bytes & MortarFounder · Paris and San JuanAI strategy, assurance and capability for professional organizations: executive workshops, governance, and workflow-intelligence pilots with human review built in.
  2. 2024–NOW
    ABEXUS AnalyticsDirector of Innovation and Strategy (fractional) · San JuanAI, data and content strategy for an economic-intelligence firm, including AI-governance frameworks and accessibility reviews to WCAG 2.1 AA.
  3. 2018–2024
    MBCC Group / Master Builders SolutionsFormerly BASF Construction Chemicals · global rolesGlobal Head of Digital Marketing Excellence (2021–24); digital innovation, startup scouting and VDC/BIM leadership (2018–21). Assessed 133 digital ideas in four weeks and moved 22 into pilots; scouted 65+ AEC-tech startups; launched analytics adopted by 300+ marketers in 12 regions.
  4. 2012–2018
    WDG ArchitectureAssociate and Project Manager · Washington, DCBuilding repositioning and capital-improvement contracts of $2M–$7M; BIM/VR workflows, proposals and staff training.
  5. 2010–2012
    NIKA A+EDesigner II and Project Manager · Rockville, MDInternational design-build and federal capital projects; BIM practice development.
  6. 2008–2009
    GenslerArchitectural Designer · Washington, DCConstruction administration for the 2,000-key Gaylord National Harbor Hotel and Convention Center; hospitality, interiors and master planning.
  7. EARLIER
    Architecture practice in Puerto RicoUrban renewal, mixed-use, social housing and adaptive-reuse projects. Across his practice career: 2M+ sq ft over 80+ projects.
TEACHING

TEACHING

  • 2024
    University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of DesignLecturer, AI in Design and Speculative Innovation · 2024Designed and taught the course to 50+ graduate students and professionals, with labs across architecture, urban design and public policy.
  • BOOTCAMP
    Digital Alchemy: Generative AI for Architects, Designers and Creative ProfessionalsInstructor. AI concepts, generative design and prompt practice, applied to real creative workflows.
Bring this to your institution: Institutional AI Faculty Pilot →
SPEAKING

SELECTED ENGAGEMENTS

Current talks:

  • Rage Against the Machines
  • From AI Experimentation to Operating Advantage
  • Profane Codes: AI, Practice and Governance
  • Teach the Teachers

2024

  • ASLA Conference on Landscape ArchitectureWashington, DCDesign Ethics, Storytelling, and Collaboration with AI
  • 2024
    JADE Philly SummitPhiladelphiaBefore the End: Reimagining Creativity and Identity with AI
  • 2024
    UPenn Sustainability Design SummitUniversity of PennsylvaniaA Collaborative Journey Through Generative AI
  • 2024
    Simposio Bajo Presión · Poli/Gráfica de Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoAntes del Fin
  • PODCAST
    Practice Disrupted, Episode 143Architecture and AI: integrating AI into practice and digital strategy

2023

  • BuiltWorlds Paris SummitParis, FranceScaling innovation in AEC through AI governance frameworks
  • Understanding Economic and Industry TrendsGensler · Washington, DCAI in Architecture: How Emerging Technologies Are Disrupting Design and Construction Practices
  • AI and Creativity: Challenges and Opportunities for CreatorsPuerto Rico Science, Technology & Research TrustProfane Codes: Dystopias and Utopias in the Age of AI
  • FEATURE
    AEC+TechUpdating the Tech Stack: Ask a Design Technologist

2022

  • Fundación por la ArquitecturaSan Juan, Puerto Rico

Book a keynote or executive briefing →

EXHIBITIONS

AI & ART

  • 2024
    Poli/Gráfica: Reinterpreting Culture Through AIAntiguo Arsenal de la Marina Española · Old San Juan · April–September 2024Puerto Rican folklore, history and AI storytelling.
  • 2023
    Present Futures: Generative AI Art for Climate ChangeDistrict Architecture Center · Washington, DC · September–December 2023Speculative landscapes of climate collapse and adaptation, drawn from Puerto Rico’s post-hurricane recovery.

INDEPENDENT. SENIOR.
HANDS-ON.

Specialist collaborators are brought in only where they add real value.

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