proposals that were taking shape in the country’s major cities. Urban planning and modern architecture were the guiding principles of the gathering, which brought together the most prominent professionals of the time. It was in Valparaíso, at that very moment, that the guidelines were drawn up that would shape the modern layout of the country’s cities for decades to come. The works presented here offer a selection of examples of modernity in Valparaíso. These projects adapted the form and function of the “ma- chine for living”—imported from Europe—to the city’s unique geography, integrating it into its immediate surroundings and the amphitheater-like landscape of Valparaíso Bay. The following is a study based on the collection of planimetric and documentary information regarding a portion of Valparaíso’s modern heritage during the period spanning 1946 to 1975, beginning with what was, at that time, the city’s largest residential building. During that time, the city played a significant role in sustaining the regional economy. Residential developments were complemented by office and service buildings, creating a clear urban pattern characteristic of the era, rooted in its unique geographical context. The housing policies of 1953 and 1959, as well as the 1965 Valparaíso Intermunicipal Plan, contributed to the growth of modern architecture in the port city, giving rise to projects with a variety of uses. At the same time, academic institutions and research centers played a vital role, in- cluding the schools of architecture at Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Universidad de Chile’s Valparaíso campus, as well as the Valparaíso Institute of Urbanism. These institutions promoted urban studies based on modern parameters. Through them, architects and urban planners such as Alfredo Vargas Stoller, Agostino Bastiancig, Héctor Vigil, Santi- ago Aguirre, and Guillermo Ulriksen gradually established an academic framework for the study of the built environment in Valparaíso beginning in the second half of the 20th century. All of the buildings featured here are located within the formal city limits, situated both on the city’s flat terrain and on the surrounding hills, with Avenida Alemania—100 meters above sea level—marking the upper boundary. For each featured building, we also aim to describe its location and how its modern design adapts to the city’s terrain, whether on slopes or flat land. 1 R Quebrada Márquez Housing Complex: Architects: Carlos Monardes Rojas (1st phase, 1946); Hermógenes Pérez (1960 expansion) Municipal Permit Year: 1957 (granted after original construction) – 1960 (expansion) Located in the ravine of the same name that separates the Santo Domingo and Arrayán hills, in the heart of the Puerto neighborhood. Its origins stem from the housing policy of the Housing Fund for the people. Although the first phase was built from 1946 to 1949, the building permit was dated 1957, almost simultaneously with the application for the expansion of the housing development around 1960, which was already under the supervision of CORVI. During this phase, architect Hermógenes Pérez signed off on the site plans. For decades, the name of the architect in charge of the project in the 1940s remained unknown, with credit going solely to the contractor, Pedro Goldsack⁵. The proposal was an initiative that originated at the beginning of the decade⁶, but it was only completed during the second half of that period. Construction progressed slowly, despite the numerous budget problems faced by the contractor, who jeopardized completion of the construction program on several occasions⁷.
To date, no site plans for the original 1940s project have been found. The only documents available at the Valparaíso Municipal Public Works Department are various plans and documents prepared in the 1950s and 1960s by CORVI for the final acceptance of the completed project and its subsequent expansion, signed by architect Hermógenes Pérez. Given the lack of plans for the original project from the 1940s—which might shed light on the architect who designed the building—a document search was conducted from the Housing Fund (Caja de Habitación), held in the Chilean National Archives. The review and analysis of 50 volumes dating from 1939 to 1950 led to the discovery of the name of the professional to whom the Housing Fund entrusted the project. He was one of its in-house technical staff members, architect Carlos Monardes Rojas⁸, who was present throughout the entire construction process of the housing development. Formally, the building complex consists of five long blocks, each with four to six stories (A, B, C, D, E, and F), which alternate in a staggered pattern along the hillsides. They conform to the slope by connecting the public street to each of the long “corridor-courtyards.” It serves as a symbol of the built connection between the residential area on the hillside and the plain where commercial and urban services are located. The first residents came, in part, from Cerro Barón, after the land where they lived was expropriated by the Housing Fund so that the Ministro Zenteno Housing Project⁹ could be built there years later. As part of the municipal and national initiative to have Valparaíso designated a World Heritage Site, the Quebrada Márquez neighborhood was declared a National Monument in the “Typical Zone” category in 2001. 2 R Valparaíso Chamber of Commerce Building (VCC): Architects: Hernán Ovalle + Carlos del Río + Eugenio Cerda + Mario Leyton Municipal Permit Year: 1954 This building is located in the heart of the city’s financial district, between Blanco, Esmeralda, and Ross streets. Its architectural structure—comprised of 12 stories and a mezzanine—is mixed-use, combining retail space on the first level with offices and residential units on the upper floors. An audito- rium was included inside the building to host the Valparaíso Chamber of Commerce’s various social events. 3 R Plaza Victoria Building Architects: Osvaldo Larraín + Jaime Larraín + Jaime Sanfuentes + Jaime Kulczewski Municipal Permit Year: 1955 This building is located near Plaza Victoria, wedged between Pedro Montt and Independencia avenues. The first level features commercial spaces, some of which extend into the basement. The mezzanine level was designed for small offices. From the second to the eleventh floors, only residential apartments of various layouts were built: 1-, 2-, and 3-bed- room units, as well as some studio apartments designated as offices.
4 R Compañía de Bomberos de Valparaíso (4ta-5ta y 9na) Architects: Jorge López + David Cuneo Municipal Permit Year: 1956
The facility is located in the El Almendral neighborhood, on a lot bor- dered by Brasil Avenue and Blanco and Freire Streets. It consists of three adjacent, three-story fire stations that form a single complex. It is home to the 4th Company (Almte. Blanco Encalada Fire Station), the 5th Company (Pompe France), and the 9th Company (Zapadores Freire). The choice of this location stems from the “Schulze Barracks Fire Di- saster” (January 1, 1953), which occurred just a couple of meters away, damaging the original building. This event is considered the greatest
5 Housing Fund. (June 24, 1946). History of Agreements. (Vol 12). Document n°05662 6 “Construction of the ‘Márquez’ housing development in our port will begin in the middle of the year”, La Estrella Valparaíso newspaper, March 28, 1940 7 Housing Fund. (July 10, 1947). Agreements. (Vol 19). Agreement n°7488
8 Housing Fund. (January 14, 1948). Resolutions. (Vol 25), Resolution n°00141 9 Housing Fund. (July 1, 1947). Agreements. (Vol 19), Agreement n°7427-c
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