This article intends to present - as a first draft - the facts and works that constitute the craft of Chilean Architect Miguel Eyquem, beginning with the need to identify his contribution to the understanding of architecture, originating from the relationship between the crafts and poetry established by the Valparaiso School. This relationship unfolds in the three conditions that originate his work, namely as teacher, urban planner and architect, while at the same time exposing a dimension that, in our opinion, runs through each one of his works: invention.
Por / by Diego Elton , Nicolás Tironi y Javier Correa (*) Textos de obras / Texts of works : Miguel Eyquem
Se trata de dejar planteados algunos puntos básicos y coordenadas de los trabajos y fundamentos que sustentan su obra, para ubicarla y observarla desde el juego de la invención. Hemos optado por recoger esos puntos a partir de los encuentros y conversaciones que tuvimos con él para la elaboración de este artículo; y de privilegiar su escritura y su mano para introducir los proyectos que aquí se exponen.
We will establish a few basic points and coordinates of the workings and foundations that support his work in order to identify and perceive it from the viewpoint of invention. We have chosen to collect these points from meetings and discussions we had with him for the preparation of this article, and to favor his writings and his hand to introduce the projects here presented.
"This is my life, in overalls and tools in hand, I am a craftsman and teacher by accident."
“Mi vida es esta, de overol y herramientas en la mano, soy un maestro de obra y profesor por accidente”.
To present a picture of Miguel Eyquem and his story as an architect, this phrase of his describes it best. This is a first point: the will to position the craft of the architect beginning from its most specific condition, that is, in the transition between invention and realization. It is in the adventure of putting our “hands on the work” where, for Eyquem, the work of architecture reaches its maximum splendor. For over sixty years, the different projects and works in which he has exercised his craft, either individually or with others, display his versatility and unique power of invention. Upon receiving his degree (1950) he worked in the office of Jorge Elton Álamos and was an integral part of the work for the Antumalal Hotel (1952). Between 1958 and 1961, he researched and developed construction systems for housing and curtain walls with Jean Prouvé. He worked at the Urban Improvement Corporation (CORMU), where he developed major urban planning projects. One of them, Parque San Luis, won him the National Award for Planning in 1971. As an architect he designed and built houses and other buildings 1 , and developed prefabricated systems for housing. Also, as a professor at the School of Architecture of the Catholic University of Valparaiso, he developed a prolific
Para presentar una imagen de Miguel Eyquem y de su historia como arquitecto, esta frase suya es la que lo describe de mejor forma. Este es un primer punto: el de una voluntad de desplegar el oficio de arquitecto desde su condición más concreta, vale decir, en el tránsito entre la invención y la materialización. Es en la aventura del estar con las “manos en la obra” donde, para Eyquem, la obra de arquitectura alcanza su esplendor. Durante más de sesenta años, los distintos proyectos y obras en los que ha desplegado su oficio, ya sea individualmente o junto a otros, dan cuenta de una versatilidad y capacidad de invención singulares. Apenas titulado (1950) colaboró en la oficina de Jorge Elton Álamos y fue parte integral del trabajo en el Hotel Antumalal (1952). Entre 1958 y 1961, investigó y desarrolló junto con Jean Prouvé sistemas constructivos de viviendas y muros cortina. Trabajó en la Corporación de Mejoramiento Urbano (CORMU), donde desarrolló importantes proyectos urbanísticos. Uno de ellos, el Parque San Luis, le valió el Premio Nacional de Urbanismo en 1971. Como arquitecto ha proyectado y construido casas y otras construcciones , además de diseñar sistemas prefabricados de vivienda. Asimismo, como profesor en la
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