Ideology, shape and space in Latin American architecture. An interview with critic and historian Roberto Segre

Abstract

Robert Segre is a reference for the historiography of 20th century architecture. His books on architecture and urbanism in Cuba and other Socialist countries pioneered the knowledge and assessment of their built environment, which was little known to the rest of the world. His reflections on the role of ideology in architecture, Third World technologies, and social participation in the construction of Latin American cities have been decisive to understand the final decades of the last century and to sort out the challenges faced by Latin American architects in Cuba, Brazil, Colombia or Mexico at the beginning of this century. His long standing and productive relation with the UNAM was reinforced by his most recent visit to Ciudad Universitaria for the 11th International Docomomo Conference celebrated in August 2010, when he granted the following interview.