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Past
In 2016, Emilio Eva approached Alejandro Biguria with the idea of designing an astronomical observatory in Guatemala. This idea quickly evolved and as Biguria suggested the initial idea became an open competition for the design of the observatory . It was a unique opportunity to invite anyone who wanted to take part in it and to present their ideas and architectural concepts through an "Architecture Competition for Observatory Design — 16." The competition brief consisted in developing a center for astronomy and for scientific dissemination of technology in Guatemala; where astronomy could be pursued through and architectural program that fosters the dissemi“ation of astronomical knowledge and instigate curiosity in the discipline. . The brief also required a space where teams of professionals could meet and share knowledge and promote scientific and technological innovations, thereby enabling Guatemala to contribute to the advancement of science.
The competition sought to establish the first astronomical observatory of its kind in Guatemala; a facility dedicated to the education and research of astronomy. The competition’s main objectives were:
(1) The provision of a facility for the dissemination of scientific, educational and innovative development of future commercial technologies.
(2) To provide the means and methods by which commercial opportunities can be created in order to expand the local economy through the creation of jobs in sectors such as agriculture, change climate research, sustainable technologies, and STEM-related industries.
(3) The provision of a state-of-the art observatory that would enable the dissemination of scientific study and technologies in the field of astronomy. A facility open to the general public where the study of space exploration and the cosmos is taught by practicing scientists, academics and aficionados in a classroom setting as well as through interactive methods.
Within conceptual architectural explorations established by the competition brief , the jury pool suggested that competition participants respond the following questions:
1 — How can architecture articulate abstract concepts, such as the universe?
2 — What is the role of astronomy in mesoamerican culture?
3 —Can architecture foster a productive exchange of ideas through debate and impart knowledge?
4 — How can a facility provide an experiential understanding of abstract concepts such as space-time to visitors?
Jury
Benjamín Cadena
AIA, LEEDAP, NCARB
Founder of Studio Cadena. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, he received a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Architecture from the same institution. Prior to founding his architecture studio, he gained experience working with Rice+ Lipka Architects, Stan Allen Architect, WORKac, and Atelier Bow-Wow. Benjamin has taught courses at various institutions, is the co-founder of talk20, and received the 2016 AIA New York New Practices Biennial Award.
Luis Diego Quiros
He is an architect and professor of design. After completing his studies at the College of Architecture at the University of Design, he pursued his postgraduate studies at Kansas State University and later participated in workshops on teaching architecture at institutions such as the Architectural Association in London. In recent years, Quirós has practiced his profession in parallel with research and teaching, working as director of his own studio – Luis Diego Quirós Arquitectura, and postgraduate professor at the University of Maryland in the United States. Quirós currently directs the School of Architecture at VERITAS University where, in addition to teaching, he continues his research on urban conditions in Latin America – where he continually seeks alternative knowledge produced by the mix between the formal and informal. Over the years, Quirós has presented conferences in several countries, including South Korea, Turkey, England and the United States, and has been invited as a jury member at universities such as the Graduate School of Design at Harvard, the GSAPP at Columbia University and Virginia Tech's WACC.
Ana Ingrid Padilla
Architect graduated from the Francisco Marroquín University with a master's degree in History and Theory of Architecture from the Architectural Association of London. Founder of the architecture firm TARQ (Theory and Architecture) in 2000. Professor at the UFM in the Faculty of Architecture from 1998 – 2010 and from 2015 to date in the Faculty of Education. Professor of the Master's and Bachelor's Program in Architecture at UNIS from 2009 to date. She has been a visiting professor at the Isthmus School of Architecture in Panama in 2010. Founder and director of the magazine "Perspectives of architecture and design" in 2007 and co-founder of the company Project Perspectives in 2009, a company dedicated to the production of publishing services and projects, events, workshops and forums related to the world of architecture, art and design. In 2015, she created Artefactura, a line of woven products with exclusive handmade designs that will be exhibited and presented to the public in design establishments at the end of 2016 in Guatemala.
Ivan Azurdia Bravo
M.E., MSc, PhD.
He has more than 25 years of experience in rural development with an emphasis on renewable energies. Dr. Azurdia is a member of the Academy of Sciences and has conducted research on adaptive resilience and technological syncretism, based on traditional Mayan knowledge and renewable energy technology.
Rodolfo Solares
Architect graduated from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. Collegiate No. 141. Founding partner of the firm Solares & Lara. Founding partner of Seis Arquitectos, S. A., and member of the Board of Directors. Founding partner and member of the Administrative Council of the real estate company Decaterra. His great professional career as an architect has achieved the design and development of multiple projects, from countless residential buildings such as offices (more than 35), shopping centers (more than 15), educational and cultural centers, residential condominiums, more than 250 private residences, and multiple master plans in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Paraguay. In addition, he has been professor of design at the Rafael Landívar University, Francisco Marroquín University, and professor of architectural presentation at IFES (ITSMO University).
Eva Hinds
Director of EMC
Alejandro Biguria
He has a BA in Economics from Boston University and an M.Arch from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently Director of TORUS, designing and developing from residential, commercial and institutional interiors and exteriors, to master plans. He has participated as a speaker in multiple institutions giving conferences on Design and Technology, Design Thinking, innovation and Social Entrepreneurship.
He has been a professor, lecturer and/or exhibitor at the University of Pennsylvania, University of TUFTS, VERITAS University, University of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, University of the Istmo, Francisco Marroquín University, University of San Carlos de Guatemala, Centro Universitario del Occidente, Mesoamerican University, Rafael Landívar University, among others.
Carlos Valladares
Salvadoran architect, self-taught and social and technological entrepreneur. He is currently Co-founder of INNBOX-Innovation Box, REACTION-Community Action Network and President of the Fablab El Salvador Association, he also coordinates the extension of the FABLAT Latin American Network for Central America. Finalist of the TIC Americas Eco-Challenge, organized by the OAS/YABT, Guatemala, 2013. Finalist of the Fab Awards 10th Fab Lab World Conference, Spain, 2014. Winner of the FRIDA Grants 2014-2015, financed by LACNIC, Uruguay, 2014 .
Emilio Eva
Tireless by nature, graduated with two degrees from the Universidad del Istmo, in Marketing and International Business. An entrepreneur and tireless practitioner of Tai Chi, he is the founder of V Producciones, a company dedicated to sporting events, where he co-created the emblematic 21K and 10K races in Guatemala City; Member of the board of directors of Grupo 361, a company dedicated to experiential marketing from Guatemala to Costa Rica. He made history by founding the Aerostatika company, being the first Guatemalan hot air balloon pilot, and bringing the same balloons to Central America. Founder of Plenum Promotional Products Worldwide; company dedicated to the massive distribution of promotional products for Central America. Amateur astronomer graduated from the Astronomy and Basic Astrophysics diploma at Galileo University, and founder of the Guatemala Astronomical Observatory.
Edgar Castro Bathen
Systems Engineer graduated from Francisco Marroquín University. Co-founder of the Guatemalan Astronomy Association (AGA), amateur astronomer for more than 30 years. In 2009 he designed the curriculum for the Diploma in Astronomy and Basic Astrophysics. In 2016, he designed the curriculum for the “University Technician in Astronomical Instrumentation” career, both at the Galileo University of Guatemala. In 2001, he appeared in the magazine "Sky & Telescope", in an article written by David Levy about his life as an astronomical disseminator, entitled "Guatemala rising star". Astronomy columnist for Prensa Libre, Siglo 21, El Green Times and Soy 502, publishing more than 500 astronomy articles to date. Currently Director of the Basic Astronomy and Astrophysics Career at the Galileo University of Guatemala.
Walter Peter Brenner
His training includes Architecture at the UFM of Guatemala, Sculpture at the School of Fine Arts of Zürich, Switzerland and Visual Arts at the Superior School of Art of the USAC. Master of Philosophy at the UFM of Guatemala. He is Director and Professor of his own ARS ARTIS SCHOOL OF ART. He has served as Professor of Artistic Drawing in the Faculties of Architecture, Interior Design and Graphic Design at UNIS and URL. He has presented 7 individual painting exhibitions, two of them in Switzerland, and has participated in approximately 40 collective exhibitions, as well as in several Auctions. Walter is best known as the creator of the play "EL COLOSO DE INMACO". First Place in the Art Competition of the Guatemalan Olympic Committee to participate in ART & SPORT 2000 in Laussanne, Switzerland. Recently, in 2014, he inaugurated his sculptural work “DAWN: El Gigante de Cayalá” on Paseo Cayalá.