Investigative architecture
Introduction
Alberto Varas (1943) is an Argentine architect, researcher and educator who has developed his practice based in the city of Buenos Aires since 1966. He was a founding member that year of the successful Baudizzone-Díaz-Erbin-Lestard-Varas studio, with which he received, along with his associates, a Konex Award for architecture. Since 2000 he has been the owner of the “Alberto Varas & Asociados” Studio, and founding partner of the “VOV Group” established in La Coruña, Spain in 2002.
He has received numerous professional distinctions, carrying out his activity both in the private sphere and in the public service. According to Graciela Silvestri, Argentine architect and historian, Varas' work “has exerted a great influence on Argentine architectural culture.”[1].
Biography
Contenido
La carrera profesional de Alberto Varas se inició en 1966, con su graduación como arquitecto de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, aunque ya desde 1964 se había desempeñado como ayudante docente.
En 1966, tras el golpe de Estado que llevó al poder al General Juan Carlos Onganía, la dictadura determinó la intervención a las universidades públicas. Luego un irrupción violenta conocida como La Noche de los Bastones Largos, se produjo una renuncia masiva de académicos que se oponían al régimen militar. Las condiciones políticas predominantes desde entonces forzaron a Varas y a muchos otros de su generación, como Justo Solsona o Javier Sánchez Gómez, a mantenerse alejados de la actividad pública, y de los ámbitos de discusión e investigación universitarios hasta 1985, luego del retorno definitivo a la democracia.
Professional practice
Beginning in 1966, Varas developed private practice, in association with Miguel Baudizzone, Jorge Erbin, Jorge Lestard, and Antonio Díaz. He participated in several competitions, obtaining significant awards such as the Buenos Aires City Auditorium (1972) and the Mendoza Cultural Center (1972).
He developed numerous collective housing projects within Buenos Aires, such as the building at Avenida Coronel Díaz 2521, and others in neighborhoods in the northern part of the city.[2].
During the 1990s, Varas' professional activity was developed mainly based on projects obtained through public competitions. The Auditorium in Mendoza, the Project for the Retiro Urban Area (not carried out), and the Parque de la Memoria, in the University City of Buenos Aires, stood out.