Carla Gautier Castro

BSA, M.Arch, Dr. (h.c.), LEED GA Carla Gautier Castro is a third-generation architect from Puerto Rico with a strong commitment to community and sustainability. She earned her BA, M.Arch, and an honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.) from Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) in Boston, where she focused on eco-friendly design. Her studies and work took her to Berlin and Benin, where she gained valuable experience in sustainable construction. In 2017, Carla returned to Puerto Rico just before Hurricane María. While working as a FEMA construction inspector, she saw how bureaucracy delayed recovery efforts, which inspired her to found KONTi Design in San Juan. KONTi specializes in building sustainable, resilient homes using recycled materials like shipping containers and structural steel. These homes are designed to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes, ranging from affordable to luxury markets. Carla’s firm also achieved the first LEED Platinum-certified single-family residence in the Caribbean, proving that eco-friendly construction can be profitable for homeowners. Carla has been recognized as a CNN Champion for Change, a Grist 50 Fixer, and a member of Forbes 30 Under 30. She is also a Re-Generation Future Leaders Fellow. Outside of her work, Carla enjoys hiking, swimming, sailing, scuba diving, and all things related to the ocean. She also loves traveling to learn from different cultures.