On November 27, four major works of brutalist architecture in Argentina were declared "National Historic Monuments" four: the Mariano Moreno National Library, the Manuel Belgrano School of Commerce, the 6 de Julio Municipal Palace, and the School of Architecture at the University of Mendoza. These buildings, considered outstanding examples of brutalist architecture, will be protected under Decree 791/2019, which establishes that they cannot be modified, sold, encumbered, or alienated, nor can their facades be altered without the prior intervention of the National Commission of Monuments, Museums, and Historic Places.
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"10 Iconic Works of Brutalist Architecture in Latin America"
Brutalist Architecture was a movement that manifested in different parts of the world from the 1950s to the 1970s and held great significance in the public and private architectural expressions of the Argentine Republic. Its name refers to the aesthetic qualities of works characterized by the expressive role of the load-bearing structure, the materiality of architectural elements, and building services infrastructure, among which the Mariano Moreno National Library, the Manuel Belgrano High School of Commerce, the 6 de Julio Municipal Palace, and the School of Architecture at the University of Mendoza stand out as prominent examples. - Statement from the Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic
School of Architecture at the University of Mendoza / Enrico Tedeschi
Designed by Italian architect Enrico Tedeschi, the School of Architecture at the University of Mendoza was built between 1962 and 1964. The technology used in the project plays a primary role, integrally addressing the structure, building envelope, solar control, architectural language, and functionality. Few buildings constructed with industrial elements manage to achieve such an almost sculptural finish, notable for its minimal use of parts. Its significance is recognized both nationally and internationally, and in 2015, it was selected for the exhibition “Latin America in Construction: Architecture 1955–1980” at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
6 de Julio Municipal Palace (Municipality of Córdoba) / SEPRA
The “6 de Julio” Municipal Palace in the city of Córdoba was built in 1953. Designed by the firm SEPRA—composed of architects Santiago Sánchez Elía, Federico Peralta Ramos, and Alfredo Agostini—the building was the result of a national design competition organized by the Municipality of Córdoba. The building complex is characterized by the sobriety and balance of its volumes, which separate administrative and executive functions. It stands out for its rational and modern expression, which connects with the surrounding environment through its plazas and base terraces.
Manuel Belgrano School of Commerce / Bidinost, Chute, Gasó, Lapacó, Meyer
The “Manuel Belgrano” School of Commerce in the city of Córdoba was designed by architects Osvaldo Bidinost, Jorge Chute, José María Gassó, Mabel Lapacó, and Martín Meyer. Built between 1960 and 1971, it was the result of a national design competition organized by the National University of Córdoba. Developed on a one-hectare site, the architectural scheme consists of a single volume that opens toward the Suquía River through terraces under a single roof plane, which shelters all indoor activities. Reinforced concrete is used both structurally and as the primary element of an architectural language of brutalist beauty. The program is organized in a pavilion-like layout, featuring high permeability between the interior and exterior.
Mariano Moreno National Library / Testa, Bullrich and Cazzaniga
The Mariano Moreno National Library was built on the grounds originally occupied by the Unzué Estate, which served as the presidential residence at the time. In 1961, the then-Ministry of Education and Justice launched a design competition for the construction of a new headquarters for the library. The first prize was awarded to the project submitted by architects Alicia Dora Cazzaniga, Francisco Jorge Bullrich, and Clorindo Testa. The building was not inaugurated until April 10, 1992. The design introduced a radical inversion of the traditional layout for the program's core components: the book stacks and the reading room. By separating these two functions, the architects placed the archives underground and elevated the reading room volume on massive pillars.
- Bibliography: Argentina.gob.ar under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This article was written by Belén Maiztegui. The translation is powered by AI.
