March 16, 2021

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  • Rebeca Ruiz-Ulloa was born on May 13th,1961 in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. She migrated to the United States with her parents, René and Osaida Ruiz, and her sister, Cristina, in 1968. She first lived in Miami, Florida, and then settled in Butler, New Jersey once her father received a Spanish teaching position at Kinnelon High School. She attended Aaron Decker Grammar School, Richard Butler Middle School, and Butler High School. After graduating from Butler High School, she attended NJIT where she met her husband, Luis Ulloa, and graduated in 1984 with a degree in Architecture. Rebeca started her career with the prestigious firm of The Grad Partnership and worked at various architectural firms before partnering with Louis Jacobitti to form the Jacobitti-Ruiz Architects. In 2009, the firm was dissolved, and she joined the Diocese of Paterson as the Diocesan Architect. There, she worked on her most challenging and rewarding project, which was the renovation of the Paterson Cathedral.

  • Rebeca has been instrumental in the renovations of many parishes, including St. Michael’s Church Façade Stabilization project, church additions, roof replacements and repairs, boiler replacements.  Pastor consultations to include site investigations to evaluate facilities, recommend repairs, provide reports of findings, avoid costly mistakes by finding the best solutions, ensure compliance to Federal, State, and Municipal regulatory requirements (avoiding code violations). Site inspections during and at the completion of the work.

    Rebeca is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Luis, her parents, René and Osaida, and nephew, Alexander. Rebeca is survived as well by her mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-laws, aunts, uncles, cherished nieces, godchildren, grandnephew, and cousins. Rebeca was predeceased by her sister, Cristina.

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    Architects are creative professionals, educated, trained, and experienced in the art and science of building design, and licensed to practice architecture. Their designs respond to client needs, wants and vision, protect public safety, provide economic value, are innovative, inspire and contribute positively to the community and the environment. Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through a dynamic network of more than 250 chapters and more than 95,000 member architects and design professionals, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architectural profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has over 2,000 members across six sections. For more information, please visit http://www.aia-nj.org

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA Newark and Suburban, Women in Architecture | Tagged: #RebecaRuizUlloa, In Memoriam | Comments (0)