In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honoring the historic culture of both Hispanic and Latinx communities, whose rich heritage has positively impacted our built environment.
We asked our employees to share their favorite Hispanic architect, artist, building or work of art in order to further acknowledge the contributions and achievements of the Hispanic community. Check out their responses!
“My favorite building, Capitolio Nacional de La Habana (the National Capitol Building), is one of the most emblematic buildings in Havana. Located on Paseo del Prado, Dragones, Industria, and San José streets in the exact center of Havana, it was originally built to house the Cuban Congress. The building was restored to house Cuba’s National Assembly and also serves as a museum.
Built between 1926 and 1929, and measuring 681 feet by 300 feet, Capitolio Nacional de La Habana is often compared to the United States Capitol Building, but it is not a replica. Among other differences, it is a meter higher, a meter wider and a meter longer than the U.S. Capitol. It was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world’s third-largest indoor statue.”
Mirsa Lorente
Senior Designer
Miami, FL
“I love the work of René Portocarrero—a Cuban painter whose contour lines and passages of color depicted the tropical environs and women of Havana. Largely self-taught, Portocarrero was born in Havana, Cuba, on February 24, 1912. The artist’s first recorded exhibition was in 1934 at the Havana Luceum. Throughout his long career, he produced a plethora of works in different mediums, including sculptures, book illustrations and ceramics. His work garnered him a prize at the 1963 São Paulo Biennial. Portocarrero died on April 7, 1985, in Havana, Cuba. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas, Venezuela, and the Museo Nacional in Havana.”
Maryann Pando-Avdakov
Senior Designer
Miami, FL
“Architect: Santiago Calatrava
Building: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia”
Luis Cano
Senior Vice President
Miami, FL
“My favorite architect is Santiago Calatrava, who began designing modern architecture as a student in Valencia, Spain. This sketch shows his thought process and the resulting building.
On a personal note, my grandfather was from Galicia and my grandmother was from Ibiza. Since I was born and raised in Honduras, I’d like to share a song by Guillermo Anderson—an artist from my hometown. His wife was my 7th grade teacher. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago from cancer.”
Jose Prado
Project Manager
Miami, FL
“My favorite shopping plaza is in Lima, Peru. It’s called Larcomar and is located along a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Peru’s Costa Verde. People shop, eat and socialize in this plaza. Some even paraglide off Larcomar!”
Maria Sanchez
Interior Designer
Miami, FL
“One of my favorite buildings is Sacsayhuamán, a citadel on the northern outskirts of the city of Cusco, Peru, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Sections were first built around 1100 CE by the Killke culture, which had occupied the area since 900 CE.”
April Vasquez
Document Control Specialist
Miami, FL
Javier Cordova
Senior Architect
Miami, FL
“Teodoro González de León is one of Mexico’s greatest architects and a favorite of mine. He fused the legacy of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past with European Modernism to design some of his country’s most distinctive public buildings. Known as a “poet of concrete,” González de León’s method of creating visual qualities of architecture was called Teodocreto—a combination of his first name and concreto (concrete).”
Adolfo Merchand Cravioto
Designer
Miami, FL
“I am always impressed by the unique style of Bolivian art and architecture.”
Diego Diez De Medina
Project Coordinator
Miami, FL
“I find Juan A. Murillo fascinating. He is a living demonstration that Hispanic engineers are all over the landscape of 21st century America.”
Mickey Sullivan
Executive Vice President
Nashville, TN
El Morro is one of the most iconic and recognized landmarks in Puerto Rico. Located in San Juan, it was originally constructed to defend the Spanish colonial port from foreign enemies. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It’s scenic location and character makes it one of my favorite works of architecture.”
Alisandra Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant
Charlotte, NC
