Alejandro Zohn
Encyclopedia
Alejandro Zohn was a Mexican
architect
. He was a Holocaust survivor who grew up in Western Mexico.
Alejandro Zohn studied at the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico, graduating as an engineer
in 1955 and as an architect in 1963. His abilities as an engineer are reflected in several bold and ingenious structures that derive partly from the precepts of Félix Candela
. Notable examples are the acoustic shell (1958) in Agua Azul Park, the Libertad Market
(1959) and the 'Adolfo López Mateos
' sports centre (1962), all in Guadalajara.
The market is especially noteworthy for its roof of hyperbolic
paraboloids, which allow for wide areas without supports. He also built residential blocks, paying careful attention to details of interior functionality, the durability and maintenance of materials and residents’ individuality. The housing complex 'CTM-Atemajac' (1979), Guadalajara, is one of his main achievements in this area, comprising several buildings with brick facing, none more than five stories.
Among his numerous other designs in Guadalajara, the most notable are the Banco Refaccionario de Jalisco (1973), the Plaza del Sol
, the 'Mulbar' shopping centre and car park and the Archivo del Estado de Jalisco building (1989). The latter is in exposed concrete and has a minimum of openings, emotional style and has affinities with the vernacular architecture of the Jalisco
area.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He was a Holocaust survivor who grew up in Western Mexico.
Alejandro Zohn studied at the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico, graduating as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
in 1955 and as an architect in 1963. His abilities as an engineer are reflected in several bold and ingenious structures that derive partly from the precepts of Félix Candela
Félix Candela
Félix Candela Outeriño was a Spanish architect known for his significant role in the development of Mexican architecture and structural engineering. Candela’s major contribution to architecture was the development of thin shells made out of reinforced concrete...
. Notable examples are the acoustic shell (1958) in Agua Azul Park, the Libertad Market
San Juan de Dios Market
Mercado Libertad, better known as Mercado San Juan de Dios is located in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. It is one of the largest indoor markets in the country with an area of 4000 m²....
(1959) and the 'Adolfo López Mateos
Adolfo López Mateos
Adolfo López Mateos was a Mexican politician affiliated to the Institutional Revolutionary Party who served as President of Mexico from 1958 to 1964...
' sports centre (1962), all in Guadalajara.
The market is especially noteworthy for its roof of hyperbolic
Hyperbolic
Hyperbolic refers to something related to or in shape of hyperbola , or to something employing the literary device of hyperbole .The following topics are based on the hyperbola etymology:...
paraboloids, which allow for wide areas without supports. He also built residential blocks, paying careful attention to details of interior functionality, the durability and maintenance of materials and residents’ individuality. The housing complex 'CTM-Atemajac' (1979), Guadalajara, is one of his main achievements in this area, comprising several buildings with brick facing, none more than five stories.
Among his numerous other designs in Guadalajara, the most notable are the Banco Refaccionario de Jalisco (1973), the Plaza del Sol
Plaza del Sol
Plaza del Sol is one of the largest shopping malls in the urban area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, located in the municipality of Zapopan. Built at the end of the sixties by the architect Alejandro Zohn, it was the first mall in Latin america...
, the 'Mulbar' shopping centre and car park and the Archivo del Estado de Jalisco building (1989). The latter is in exposed concrete and has a minimum of openings, emotional style and has affinities with the vernacular architecture of the Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
area.