Dearq

Dearq | eISSN 2215-969X

Letter to my Colombian Friends

No. 29 (2021-01-01)
  • Fernando Lara
    School of Architecture University of Texas at Austin fernandolara@utexas.edu
https://doi.org/10.18389/dearq29.2021.02

Abstract

Fernando Lara’s essay in the format of a letter highlights the achievements of Colombian architecture in the past decades, with a focus of institutional building. The author departs from decolonial theory to argue that we need to move beyond the Eurocentrism that is still prevalent in our discipline. One possible route to decolonize our architectural conversation comes from the work of Colombian anthropologist Arturo Escobar. Despite layers of colonization that are inherent to the modernization processes, Colombian institutional design is something that we should discuss as a success case in our continent.

Keywords: contemporary Colombian architecture, modernization/colonization, institutional framework, urban design

References

Alter, Kevin y FernandoLara, eds. Latitudes. 2. Austin, TX: Center for American Architecture and Design, 2014.

Carranza, Luis E. y Fernando LuizLara. Modern Architecture in Latin America: Art, Technology, and Utopia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2015.

Escobar, Arturo. La invención del desarrollo, 2.ª ed.Popayán: Universidad del Cauca, 2014.

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Lara, Fernando. “Brazilian Architecture: Centripetal and Centrifugal Moments”, introduction. In Brazilian Architectural Guide, editado por Bruno Santa Cecilia. Berlin: DOM Publishers, 2013.

Lara, Fernando. “Dissemination of Design Knowledge: Evidence from 1950s’ Brazil”. The Journal of Architecture 11, n.º 2 (2006): 241-455. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602360600787165

Lara, Fernando. “Incomplete Utopias: Embedded Inequalities in Brazilian Modern Architecture”. Architectural Research Quarterly 15, n.º 2 (2011): 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1359135511000558

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