Edificio SOMISA / Mario Roberto Álvarez y Asociados. Image Cortesía de Estudio MRA+A
The Teniente General Castiñeiras building stands on a triangular plot of land in the heart of Buenos Aires, one of the most emblematic of the city's modern architecture. Better known as the SOMISA Building, its origin was the result of a design competition for the design of the new headquarters of the Sociedad Mixta Siderúrgica Argentina company. The first prize was won by MRA+A, Mario Roberto Álvarez & Associates, and its construction began around 1966, with the works completed in 1977.
Located in the Retiro district of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires is the IBM building designed by Mario Roberto Álvarez & Associates. Conceived to house the headquarters of the IBM company, this office building was designed around 1979 and consists of a tower supported by two large concrete structural cores on a base, which is separated from the ground and the shaft of the tower to house the ground floor and a level of common areas in order to maintain the urban scale. The language of the building is recognizable from a distance as it is formed by an enclosure of horizontal bands of glass and exposed concrete parapets-parasols, which achieve a dialogue and balance in the proportion of full and empty spaces.
From September 28 to October 2, the 18th edition of the Buenos Aires International Architecture Biennial will take place at the Faena Art Center in Puerto Madero, featuring an exhibition that will bring together the most prominent professionals in contemporary architecture. Designed to serve as a platform for connection and visibility, the event will include a central exhibition and a conference program featuring national and international leaders in architecture and urbanism, alongside a series of special activities and associated programs. Admission is completely free and open to the public.
On Thursday, August 8, at 7:00 PM, Pierre Alain Trévelo, founder of the firm TVK, will deliver a lecture organized by the Center for Studies of Contemporary Architecture (CEAC) at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, with the support of the French Institute and the Embassy of France in Argentina, and featuring an introduction by Darío Graschinsky.