The CA Awards, organized and curated by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile, aim to recognize professionals who stand out for their "excellence, work, and contribution" to the field of architecture across the country. Marking the end of the institution's 79th anniversary celebrations and Architecture Month, the awards honored 12 members who, according to the National Board, are "role models for architects throughout the country." See below the awards and distinctions for each category in this new 2021 edition.
Sergio Larraín García-Moreno Award, Category: Academia or Research
Dr. Cecilia Wolff, architect, is an associate professor in the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Chile. She has spent over 20 years in research and teaching, specializing in heritage rehabilitation, institutional buildings, and commercial architecture.
She developed and patented the ATRAPALUZ natural lighting device. She has led over 30 research seminars, theses, and projects. She is the Architecture Coordinator for the Art Creation Directorate of the Vice-Presidency of Research and Development, and has developed proposals for the newly formed VER (Virtual Environment Research) Group, which promotes virtual reality research, creation, teaching, and outreach. Wolff also represents female architects who have faced gender inequality and discrimination in teaching, research, and the creation of their projects and writings.
Fermín Vivaceta Rupio Award, Category: Technology Applied to Architecture
An architect from the University of Chile with a Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Hannover, he is recognized for his work in sustainability and energy efficiency, being a pioneer in the field in Chile. He earned his accreditation as a Certified Passive House Designer from the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany, and serves as a residential energy rater for the Chilean Ministry of Housing and Urbanism.
He served as Technical Secretary for the new NTM11 thermal regulations, the updating of the New Housing Energy Rating System (CEV) and Existing Housing Energy Rating System (CEVE), and the second stage of Chilean Thermal Regulations. He has consulted on the energy certification of housing developments, educational facilities, and hospitals, delivering projects through his firm ARQUIAMBIENTE Ltda. He teaches at the University of Chile, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Central University of Chile, and Universidad Mayor, and participated in the Ibero-American CYTED program network.
His work successfully and enthusiastically incorporates new technologies into architecture, integrating computational design and digital fabrication into architectural works, design objects, and public art. He is an architect from UNIACC and holds a Master of Architecture from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
His studio, gt2P, was awarded an Innovation Fund for the "avant-garde furniture" project, and took first prize in the public art competition with the work *Vibración Parronal*. His practice integrates and applies new technologies at various scales, highlighting local culture and public space. His work *Remolten* has been exhibited at the Met, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the London Design Museum. By incorporating new technologies, his practice designs works in Chile that are installed worldwide.
Alfredo Johnson Award, Category: Public, State, or Municipal Official
He is an official at the Directorate of Architecture of the Ministry of Public Works, where he has worked in the Araucanía and Metropolitan Region regional offices and as director of the Public Building Division. Currently, he works in the Procedures Department of the National Directorate's Technical Secretariat. His leadership in incorporating indigenous perspectives into public buildings was key to developing the Mapuche and Aymara Architectural Design Guides project.
He participated in projects seeking to integrate the Mapuche worldview into design, including the Trawupeyüm Intercultural Village in Curarrehue. As Regional Director, he oversaw projects such as the restoration of the former National Congress in Santiago, the La Florida Bicentennial Stadium, the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, the Elections Court Building, and the Plaza de Abastos and Pérgolas de las Flores. He has taught at the University of Chile and the Universidad Autónoma del Sur. He was also the Director of Chile's First Indigenous Art and Culture Biennial for Mideplan-CONADI-IDB, headed the Cultural Unit of the National Corporation for Indigenous Development, and served as a CONADI board member.
Manuel Moreno Guerrero Award, Category: Valuation of National Architectural Heritage
Architect from the University of Chile with a Diploma in Heritage Conservation and Restoration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Sewell Foundation and Director of the Large-Scale Copper Mining Museum.
He was the Project Manager for the Sewell Mining Town Heritage Enhancement Project and directed the preparation of its Strategic Conservation and Management Plan. The management plan focused on heritage conservation, financial sustainability, public outreach, the implementation of the Large-Scale Copper Mining Museum, the creation of the Sewell Foundation, and its UNESCO World Heritage nomination. As Executive Director of the Sewell Foundation, he designs, coordinates, and manages its restoration works. He is also the creator, museologist, and director of the Chilean Large-Scale Copper Mining Museum.
Architect from the University of Chile. She led the Young Architects Committee of the Colegio de Arquitectos. She worked at the Ministry of Public Works Directorate of Architecture, heading its Heritage Department, where she designed and implemented the IDB Heritage Enhancement Program, executing conservation and restoration projects nationwide.
She served as Head of the Heritage Department at the Municipality of Santiago and later joined the Spanish firm Kalam to manage heritage restoration works. She is also recognized for her role as a board member of the National Monuments Council representing the MOP Directorate of Architecture, and as a restoration expert.
Promoción Joven Award, Category: Member Architect Under 35
Architect and teacher at the University of Chile. His work focuses on recovering, strengthening, and promoting traditional craftsmanship through regional projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of local artisans.
He founded the Ruta País Foundation, which highlights the trails of local crafts and intangible heritage. Through the Wicker, Clay, and Stone Routes, he promotes a balance between local production and regional identity. He also founded Arquitectura Normal, where he explores the use of unconventional materials, applying them to projects such as the Temporary Wicker City, La Luz del Cochayuyo, the Pavilion for 170 Years of Architecture in Chile, the Tokyo Olympics Convention Center, and the UN Pavilion in Chile. He has received numerous awards, including first place for the FAU Master Plan, the Grand Prize for the Best National Thesis Project, the Expo Milan Award, and first place in the YAP Constructo program. His work has been exhibited at the MAC, Centro Cultural La Moneda, COAM in Madrid, MoMA, the Atacama Desert Museum, and the Chile, Oslo, and Venice Biennials, among others.
Architect from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso and holder of a Master's in University Pedagogy. She teaches and has participated as a guest lecturer at the Universidad Politécnica de Hidalgo in Mexico. She served as President and Treasurer of the Tarapacá Regional Chapter of the Colegio de Arquitectos. She is also the co-founder and Vice President of the Gender Committee of the Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile, and a member of both the Professional Action Committee and the Young Architects Committee. She has helped reactivate the Arica y Parinacota and Antofagasta Regional Chapters and organize the first Northern Macro-Regional Meeting of CA Chapters. Salinas stands out as a female leader and a role model for new generations, fostering engagement in institutional work and the social purpose of architecture.
Regional Architecture Award, Category: Architect living and practicing in regional areas
Architect from the Catholic University of Valparaíso. His notable works include *Habitáculo* in the hills of Machalí—capped by a poetic act from the UCV School of Architecture—and *Supervivencia*. His built projects include *San Damián* and the integration of the neighborhoods of Rancagua, *Anunciación del Océano Pacífico* in Pichilemu, the Master Plan for Pichilemu, the *Vientos del Sur* building, *Condominio Los Vínculos del Quillay*, *Vista al Valle* in Cachapoal, and the *Altas Tierras* shelter, among others.
CA Distinctions
Juan Parrochia Beguin Distinction, Category: Planning, Urban Design, or Urban Management
Lecturer in Urbanism at Delft University of Technology. Architect from the University of Chile, Valparaíso campus. She worked at the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism as Head of the Informal Settlements (Campamentos) Office and was a board member of the state-owned enterprise KPD. She later joined Eindhoven University of Technology and Delft University of Technology, focusing on research and urban design.
She collaborated in setting up the ALFA-IBIS network and has served as a consultant for the European Union and the Dutch Development Agency on urban management, slum upgrading, reconstruction, reordering, and urban renewal. She specializes in participatory planning, technical infrastructure design, strategic planning, and management. She has been deployed to various countries to provide technical assistance and to formulate and evaluate urban development, sanitation, and housing projects. A member of UN-Habitat's Best Practices Selection Committee and the Disaster and Urban Management Commission, she is also a former member of the advisory committee for the European seat. Additionally, she is part of the IBIS network's Urban Observatory and the Global Urban Observatory. She also participated in incremental housing projects in the Municipality of Tshwane (formerly Pretoria).
Dora Riedel Seinecke Distinction, Category: Innovative Practice
Cazú Zegers Arquitectura marks 30 years of innovating sustainable solutions through research into wood as the material of the 21st century. Her career has demonstrated constant innovation in regional architecture, developing a specialty in ethno-architecture.
She has addressed design challenges and proposed architectural solutions for indigenous communities, collaborating with international organizations to implement guidelines within ethno-architecture and ethno-engineering. This work values indigenous traditions as a source of sustainable building and design knowledge closely aligned with their natural and cultural environments. It incorporates participatory methodologies to address infrastructure projects and implementation processes tailored to the cultural specifics of each community. Zegers stands out as a global leader in understanding territory habitation, employing a uniquely Latin American voice. She has succeeded in creating architectural forms that embody an awareness of space without imposing upon it, thereby establishing a sustainable and participatory dialogue with the environment.
Honorary Distinction from the Colegio de Arquitectos, Category: Work closely related to the practice of architecture
Historian Susana Simonetti de Groote, from the National Monuments Council (CMN), conducted a comparative analysis of international cultural heritage legislation. Her career is distinguished by her work in protecting and managing World Heritage Sites. Her efforts have been fundamental to safeguarding local heritage, occasionally assuming the role of CMN Secretary. Her contribution to architecture lies in dignifying the vocation of public service, which frequently sustains the management and continuity of public institutions.
This article was written by Luciana Truffa. The translation is powered by AI.
_16.28.46.jpg?1630526916 "Cecilia Wolff Cecchi, Mireya Danilo Brzovic, and Javiera Salinas Among the Winners of the 2021 College of Architects of Chile Awards")
