Casa Antonio Roig, 66 Calle Antonio Lopez, Humacao, Humacao Municipio, PR

2016 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Second Place
Significance: The Roig house was designed by the Czech architect Antonin Nechodoma and built in 1920 for Antonio Roig, a prominent businessman in Humacao. The house was inhabited by the Roig family until 1960. The University of Puerto Rico at Humacao restored the house in 1977 to use it as a Regional Museum. Born in Prague in 1877, Nechodoma moved with his parents to the United States in 1887. He worked in Chicago as a general contractor until 1904 when for unknown reasons moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He later returned to Puerto Rico and established a prolific architectural practice with the general contractor Frank B. Hatch. He pioneered the use of cement blocks and reinforced concrete in the Caribbean. Between 1908 and 1925, Nechodoma designed myriad buildings which Hatch erected. His architectural style varied, from Neo-Classical Style for public schools, Neo-Gothic and Mission Style for church, and Prairie Style for private residences. The later, has been the most controversial since he based his designs to the point of plagiarizing Frank Lloyd Wight's residential work. Multiple architectural historians have discussed Nechodoma's direct use of Wright's Wasmuth Portfolio, rendering exact residential perspectives which in turn had to be adjusted to specific local conditions. Many condemn Nechodoma's actions while others believe that it made possible for local architects to become familiar with Frank Lloyd Wright's masterworks.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N2175
Survey number: HABS PR-82
Building/structure dates: 1920 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 77001550