/ WE ARE
Since 1983 our firm has devoted to hotel architecture and design. We have designed original, timeless hotels for the world-leading chains. While our designs remain true to the brand, they express the distinctive aesthetic language of the main cities in South America and Mexico.
As well as being the most highly experienced studio in conversions of existing hotels, we have led an integrated design approach in the hotel industry.
Architect Daniel Piana
Founder & Partner // Principal
A graduate from Buenos Aires University, Daniel is DPA’s founder and partner. Over 35 years, Daniel has led teams that carried out more than 100 projects; mostly architecture and interior design hotel projects for properties across South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Daniel has established three offices from where he runs the firm’s work in their varied locations.
From the start his business vision has been future-oriented, in seek of innovative, sustainable, and timeless designs that may render profitable business for their operators. In recognition to his track record and contribution to the industry, Daniel has been distinguished with the SAHIC Hospitality Award 2019, awarded by the community of hotel business developers in Latin America.
Architect Elina Pumarega
Founder & Partner // Director of Interior Design
A graduate from Buenos Aires University, Elina is DPA’s cofounder and partner. She has led interior design teams from the very beginning. As a director, Elina ensures that architecture and design are integrated into both aesthetic and functional responses, while meeting the high standards of the brands as well as the local savoir-fair of each project.
Architect Jorge Lafferriere
VP
A graduate from Buenos Aires University, Jorge has been a member of the firm since its inception. He runs and coordinates architectural and engineering tasks, and is responsible for engineering costs, one of the pillars upon which DPA bases the firm’s profitable and achievable designs.
Architect Sebastian Piana
Director of Architecture
A graduate from Buenos Aires University and currently a professor at the same institution, Sebastian joined DPA’s in 1996. He leads Architecture and Design teams for the development of projects and documentation. As a director, he has allowed for and enabled the most ambitious projects in order to accomplish DPA’s functional and aesthetic solutions.
Rafaela Lia
Director of Communication & Business Development
A member of the firm since 2010, Rafaela began working in the area of marketing and communication. From there she took the leadership of the consultancy services area that gave birth to DPA Development, the new firm’s division created to structure real estate projects in the hospitality industry. Rafaela coordinates a multidisciplinary team of professionals through which investment and development projects are articulated in the region.
/ WE ARE RECOGNIZED FOR
Integrated Design. Our approach provides coherent design solutions for an optimal and sustainable operation that stays over time.
Brands. We have gained a dynamic aesthetic language to express each brand’s core characteristics.
Sustainability. Economic, social and environmental sustainability are integrated into our design response.
Efficiency and profitability. Owners and Operators experience that our designs are cost-effective and operationally efficient.