In the early days of humanity, we lived outside our own limitations. We camped near water, sought shade where nature offered it, and built only out of necessity: a roof for shelter, a wall for protection, and a fire for warmth.
With the passage of time and the advancement of civilization, technology has made the unthinkable possible. Today we look out from skyscrapers in seismic zones, we travel underwater, we build cities in the middle of the desert, we build on clay, even on water. None of this was natural. Each of these achievements has been the fruit of human ambition: setting a challenge and finding a way to make it possible.
Today, progress is staggering. We have international standards, advanced tools, and the privilege of accessing the knowledge accumulated by generations of engineers around the world. We know how to do it: design structures that won't collapse under severe earthquakes, neighborhoods that withstand extreme flooding, and self-sufficient and sustainable cities. Technology is no longer the limit. Although there is always room for improvement, the real challenge now is deciding what we want to build with all that knowledge.
At some point in our technical evolution, we stopped building solely out of necessity and began building to leave a legacy. That moment isn't recent; it happened centuries ago. Just look at the Pantheon in Rome: it wasn't conceived to meet an immediate need, but to transcend time. That same spirit remains present in many modern buildings, and this is true of Larimar: a city designed not only to offer quality of life today, but to endure as a beacon of modernity, efficiency, and resilience.
In an increasingly uncertain world—climatically, economically, and socially—resilience is no longer optional. It's a moral obligation. We have a duty to build ever better, to use all our knowledge and experience not only to solve current problems but also to leave a legacy worthy of being remembered.
Why will Larimar City be a structurally safer city?
On Monday, June 23, 2025, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the northeast of the Dominican Republic, with its epicenter approximately 70 km from Punta Cana.
Those of us who have experienced an earthquake know well what it feels like in those first few seconds: Will it be intense? Will it last long? And above all: Am I safe in this building?
At Larimar, tranquility is one of the pillars upon which everything else is built. And naturally, that tranquility begins with the structure: designed and built under the strictest regulatory standards and quality controls.
At CLERHP, we have many years of international experience in structural design and construction, which has given us a thorough understanding of various construction regulations and methodologies. This comprehensive knowledge allows us to apply best practices to each project.
At Larimar, the structures not only comply with local regulations but are also designed according to American codes and internationally recognized seismic recommendations. Whenever the architectural layout allows, our seismic-resistant structural system consists of special shear walls, which allow for high energy dissipation and a high yield strength without collapse.
This system not only offers exceptional seismic performance, but also improves construction efficiency: it reduces the need for deep beams, minimizes unevenness in floors, and facilitates formwork, shortening construction times.
International regulations are clear: in the event of an earthquake or fire, the primary objective is to protect life. If a structure allows the building to be evacuated before collapse, it fulfills its purpose, even if it becomes unusable afterward. At Larimar, we go further. Our buildings not only meet the minimum requirements but also undergo advanced nonlinear analysis to evaluate their behavior in severe earthquakes. All of them remain operational, which means that, even in the event of the largest earthquake that can be expected, the structure not only remains standing, but also suffers no structural damage and can continue to be inhabited without problem.
Last Monday's earthquake was a reminder that not all buildings are created equal. And that the peace of mind that comes with living in one designed and built by true experts is priceless.
By the Technical Department
Javier Martínez Burgos
Engineer