Latin American Architecture: Resilience, Heritage, and Environmental Design in Focus
This month, significant developments in architecture across Latin America have emerged, addressing themes such as disaster preparedness and sustainable building practices. On August 10, Colombia experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that affected several cities, including Cali and Manizales, where the city's cathedral suffered damage. In Argentina, the newly inaugurated Lola Mora Cultural Center in San Salvador de Jujuy showcases six marble sculptures and sustainable design elements. Meanwhile, a report revealed that Hispanic/Latino candidates often take about 13.5 years to achieve licensure. Notable projects include Medellín's Children's Playground Network and Ecuador's Chocó Pambil Refuge.
Key facts
- Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, damaging heritage and infrastructure.
- Partial collapse of a side tower at Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Manizales.
- Pelli Clarke & Partners completed Lola Mora Cultural Center in San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina.
- NCARB report: people of color 49% of licensure candidates, women 47%; Hispanic/Latino candidates take 13.5 years on average.
- Medellín Children's Playground Network transforms underused plots into sustainable public spaces.
- Audiovisual Experimentation Center in Avellaneda adapts a former oil mill into a cultural facility.
- Chocó Pambil Refuge in Ecuador is a 53-square-meter house on wooden platforms.
- Michael Smith Masís named PLEA Honorary Fellow.
- Antonio Yemail leads AULAS Translocales project in Las Cruces, Chile.
- UNESCO maintains Calakmul World Heritage status but raises concerns over Tren Maya impacts.
Entities
Artists
- Julien Polti
- Lola Mora
- César Pelli
- Michael Smith Masís
- Antonio Yemail
- Ashok B. Lall
- Giancarlo Mazzanti
- Belinda Tato
Institutions
- Pelli Clarke & Partners
- NCARB
- Alcaldía de Medellín
- Dirección General de Arquitectura
- Secretaría de Planificación
- Municipalidad de Avellaneda
- Minqa Atelier
- University of Costa Rica
- PLEA
- Barco Galería
- Coastal Marine Research Station of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Committee
- National Institute of Anthropology and History
- ArchDaily
Locations
- Colombia
- San José del Palmar
- Chocó
- Cali
- Pereira
- Manizales
- Armenia
- Argentina
- San Salvador de Jujuy
- Andes
- Yungas forest
- United States
- Medellín
- Avellaneda
- Ecuador
- Chocó region
- Costa Rica
- Las Cruces
- Chile
- Mexico
- Calakmul
- Campeche