Great spaces begin with great vision. Where others see empty land, PIASA CONSULTORES sees potential—a place where communities succeed, businesses grow, and life unfolds. This is the power of thoughtful design, expert engineering, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Their work covers every detail—site selection, architectural design, construction planning, permits, budgets, and inspections—so clients can trust that nothing is overlooked. By collaborating with global experts and staying ahead of industry trends, they bring fresh ideas and proven expertise to every project.

But what truly drives PIASA is their belief that great design improves lives. Whether it’s a home, an office, or an entire community, they create spaces that feel right—functional, beautiful, and made for people. Built on Excellence, Trust, Innovation, Accessibility, and Creativity, their approach is both professional and personal. They don’t just deliver blueprints; they build relationships, solve challenges, and turn possibilities into reality.

Mauricio Arce Lara, President of PIASA CONSULTORES, shared exclusive insights with CIO Bulletin about how he approaches every project with purpose and passion. His work goes beyond building structures - it creates spaces that foster connection, spark joy, and empower communities.

Interview Highlights

What is your definition of yourself as a professional?

I am a civil engineer specializing in project structuring and the design of business parks. We have participated in the conceptualization of more than 40 parks in the region, and it fills me with great satisfaction to be able to provide consulting on the genesis of the parks, as well as on industrial and logistics buildings in particular. I also actively participate in the design of infrastructure for parks, residential developments, hotels, and commercial projects.

In a few lines, can you share your experience as a professional?

In our countries, traditionally, designs have been made only based on the needs of local markets, without taking into account the new demands of multinational companies and what globalization requires. Being able to participate in the transformation of the industry by contributing to many projects that incorporate this new vision is a gratifying experience, but one that comes with many challenges. This has been my best experience to share: the transformation of the industry through the language of infrastructure design.

What are three emblematic projects you have participated in, and why do you consider them the most important in your professional career?

Parque Global, Zona Franca Coyol, and Parque Logístico LATAM Coyol are three projects that mean a lot in my professional career because I believe all three were transformative for the industry. At Parque Global, we began planning with world-class infrastructure, offering multinational companies a solution that met the needs of their operations and quality requirements. Zona Franca Coyol was the evolution of this experience, providing an emblematic park in the region with all the characteristics of a first-world park and hosting first-class companies. Parque Logístico LATAM Coyol significantly supported the transformation of the logistics warehouse market by raising the standard for the optimization of the processes of mass consumption companies and service outsourcers.

From your perspective, how has construction evolved in recent years?

In reality, for construction practices around the world, not much has changed. Some techniques have been adopted, especially in computer analysis, that allow us to get a little closer to optimization, but the practices are still similar to those we have had for years. The most relevant change I observe in industrial and logistics facilities is the globalization of the steel market with pre-engineered products, which allows projects to be a little more efficient in terms of cost and time.

But, in my opinion, we are still building as we did two centuries ago—with reinforced concrete, steel, wood, and masonry, relying mostly on intense labor. Building finishes have improved, allowing us to achieve similar results to those of the Renaissance era, but with less time, money, and effort invested.

What trends will we see in terms of design in the coming years?

What we really need is to see important technological advances in construction materials. As I mentioned before, we continue to use steel, concrete, and masonry extensively, just as we have for several centuries. I would like to see companies evolve in materials technology to create more efficient buildings in terms of structure—using lighter materials with a lower carbon footprint.

If we consider that PIASA serves all of Central America, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia, Peru, and Jamaica as markets, in addition to Costa Rica, we might think that there is little time for other activities. However, Mauricio is finding time for another of his passions: horses—an activity in which he has been so involved that he became president of the Association of Purebred Spanish Horses. I am passionate about horses. They are among the noblest and most intelligent animals. They give me a lot of peace.

And that peace, we might say, is in harmony with the way he faces life’s challenges. My attitude has always been very positive; I always see the glass as half full. I believe the secret to happiness is doing what you want to do, in the place you want to be, and with the people you want to be with.

Mauricio Arce Lara: Positivism with Strong Foundations

Motto: “I am an entrepreneur above all else.”

From a young age, Mauricio Arce Lara knew engineering was his calling. Growing up with the inspiring example of his father, architect Jorge Arce Montiel—founder of PIASA in the early 1970s—Mauricio’s path was shaped by innovation and determination. After completing his education in engineering at the University of Costa Rica, the National University, and Texas A&M, he joined the family business, where he now serves as President and Director.

Over the past three decades, Mauricio has combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision, transforming PIASA CONSULTORES into a benchmark for excellence in engineering and design. His leadership reflects his core belief: that great projects begin with strong foundations—not just in concrete and steel, but in purpose, passion, and positive impact.

“My attitude has always been very positive; I always see the glass as half full. I believe the secret to happiness is doing what you want to do, in the place you want to be, and with the people you want to be with.”