Hispanics in Architecture: Influential Hispanic Architects Making An Impact Around the World

Happy September everyone! Labor Day is a couple days away and just like that our summer is coming to an end. Still, September brings one of my favorite celebrations which is Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15^th to October 15^th. Fun fact, September 15^th is the Independence Day for El Salvador and a few other Latin American countries. I wanted to take the time to highlight some influential Hispanic architects that have made and/or are making an Impact around the world.

I would like to start not a specific architect but a group of Latina Architects that I am proudly a member of, which is Arquitina. Arquitina is a non-profit organization that hosts two cohorts a year, educating and mentoring non-licensed Latinas. All the mentors are Latina licensed women who provide their experience and expertise to elevate others. This group was started by Alicia Ponce, Founder and Principal Architect of APMonarch. Her company is in Chicago, IL provides sustainable architectural designs and aims to create healthy environments. She is also the creator of Latinas in Architecture book series, which I was a co-author. I love the work we do through this group because less than 2% of licensed architects in the USA are female Hispanics, 4.9% are Hispanic overall, out of 119,906 licensed individuals. The future does look bright because the recent statistics show that 10% of new Architects are Hispanic and hope those numbers keep increasing over time.

Another influential Architect that is state side, yet also expands into Latin America is Via Chicago. Also, a Chicago-based architecture and design firm that also has a satellite office in Panama. They design contextually with the aim to create timeless designs. It is co-founded by Cristina Gallo and Marty Sandberg, who are not only partners at work, but also partners in life. I had the opportunity to meet Cristina since we are both co-authors for Latinas in Architecture and Allies Vol. II.

There are many more state-side Architects I could highlight and mention, especially, others I admire and know; but I would like to highlight 4 of the more well-known Architects around the world.

One that is very well known, even to the public, is Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012). He is a Brazilian native and is one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. He is known for his use of bold curves and his fluid, sculptural forms. His most famous works include the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York City and the National Congress of Brazil in Brasília. Furthermore, he was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1988 (which is the highest prize an Architect can receive in their lifetimes, equivalent to all other Noble Prizes.)

Another Architect who also received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, but in 1980, was Luis Barragán (1902-1988). He is a Mexican Architect, known for his use of bold colors, geometric shapes, and natural light. His most famous works include the Casa Barragán in Mexico City and the Torres de Satélite in Ciudad Satélite. Furthermore, his influence has gone as deep as inspiring some of the pink tones and usages in the Barbie movie released this year.

Another Mexican Architect that is making a great influence is Tatiana Bilbao. Tatiana has been making her name known in the international architecture world. She is known for her use of simple, geometric forms and her sensitivity to the natural environment. Her most famous works include the Casa Gilardi in Mexico City and the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.

One last influential Architect I would like to highlight is Sophia Hayden (1868-1953). Sophia was born in Santiago, Chile and then moved to Boston at the age of 6. She was the first woman to graduate from the MIT with a degree in Architecture. She is most known for her design of the Women’s Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which she entered the competition due to not being able to find work post-graduation.

Through the decades, there have been many great Hispanic Architects pushing boundaries, expressing our culture, and creating works of art that are inhabitable spaces. Hope highlighting some of these great Architects, influences others to keep working towards their vision of what it means to be an Architect or to appreciate the built environment around us. You never know it might be a Hispanic person who designed it.

Friendly reminder that though fall and winter are not the time to start a construction project with exterior work, I beg to differ. This is the perfect timing to begin a construction project because it starts with pre-design and design which can be completed in time to then begin the actual construction in spring or summer of next year. Free to reach out with any topics you want me to cover in a blog or social media posts. As well as, if you wish to discuss the possibility of working together on your next project. To do so, go to our contact page and send me a message or go to my Calendly and schedule a call/Teams meeting.

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Keep growing,

Katherine A. Serrano Sosa, AIA | NCARB