If there's one thing that has defined me since childhood, it's curiosity. I've always wanted to know how tall buildings stand up, how they work internally, what makes a structure remain strong no matter what. Instead of just playing around, I was obsessed with understanding why things stayed upright and what was behind each building. I suppose that's where it all began.
Today I'm part of the CLERHP technical department as a civil engineer, directly involved in the structural development of Larimar City & Resort. I've been with this team for six years, and looking back, I realize I've grown not only professionally, but also personally. A lot.
Who is Juan Nova?
I consider myself a cheerful, fairly calm, but very proactive person. I like to work intensely, but without losing my good humor. I'm a perfectionist—I admit it without hesitation—and in my profession, that's not a flaw, but almost a necessity. When you're working calculating structures, there's no room for improvisation.
I studied Civil Engineering and then completed a Master's degree in Roads, Canals, and Ports Engineering. While I was finishing my Master's, I started working at CLERHP. It was a natural transition: I was training to build big things, and suddenly I was given the opportunity to actually do it.
From day one, I understood that I wasn't just coming here to "do calculations." I was coming to be part of a family and to collaborate on ambitious projects, with their own identity and a real impact.
My role at CLERHP: building from scratch
I work in the technical department, where I'm mainly responsible for structural calculations. Simply put, we shape the structure of buildings and ensure they are safe, efficient, and durable.
What I enjoy most is starting a project from scratch. Designing a structure from the beginning, studying the loads, deciding on the structural system, avoiding potential conflicts with the architectural design… It's like solving a giant technical puzzle where every piece has to fit together perfectly.
Over the past six years, I've been fortunate enough to participate in major projects in Bolivia, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic. Each country has its own unique technical, regulatory, and construction characteristics. Adapting to each context is a constant challenge, but also an incredible learning opportunity.
Four years ago, I began traveling to Bolivia for work, an experience that marked the beginning of my international career within the company. The following year, the opportunity arose to travel to Paraguay several times, where I was able to fully immerse myself in new projects. And since then, the Dominican Republic has become an important part of my daily professional life. I combine travel with work in the technical department, which makes each week unique.
Traveling isn't just about logistics; it's a way to work better. Traveling and speaking directly with teams, solving problems in real time—everything flows much faster than remotely. Communication is more direct, decisions are quicker, and the project progresses more effectively.
And yes, I'm quite adventurous, so I love this international aspect of the job. Discovering cultures, ways of building, different approaches to projects… it keeps me engaged and motivated.
Larimar City & Resort: a project with its own personality
If you ask me what I love most about Larimar City & Resort, it's clear: its personality.
This is not just another development. It's a project with character, identity, and a clear vision of what it wants to be. From a technical standpoint, it's a challenge.
Participating in a project that is unique in the world, where design, functionality, and sustainability are all carefully considered, is a privilege. This isn't just about erecting buildings; it's about building a meaningful, coherent city, designed with the long term in mind.
From the technical department, we work to ensure that this vision is rigorously realized. Every structure we calculate is part of something larger. Knowing that you're contributing to shaping a city from its foundations is an enormous responsibility, but also a tremendous motivation.
Furthermore, at CLERHP I'm fortunate to share this journey with outstanding professionals. I learn something new every day. From my office colleagues, from the on-site teams, from the local technicians in each country… There's always something new to discover, a different solution, a more efficient way of doing things.
That shared growth is, for me, one of the greatest strengths of the project. It's not just about Larimar City growing; we all grow with it.
What drives me
I'm very motivated by the projects we've completed and those yet to come. Each one has its own complexities, technical challenges, and moments of tension. But when you see the final result, when you know that what was once just a blueprint is now a built reality, the satisfaction is hard to describe.
In the end, I think it all boils down to one idea: building with purpose. Not just erecting solid structures, but being part of something that has an impact, that leaves a mark, and that is well done.
I still have the same curiosity I had as a child. The difference is that now I work on large-scale projects, in different countries, with incredible teams, and with the opportunity to contribute my bit to something as ambitious as Larimar City & Resort.
And if there's one thing I'm sure of after all these years, it's that this is just the beginning.
By Juan Nova
Technical Department
Civil engineer