Rogelio Salmona and brickwork architecture in Colombia

Abstract

The oeuvre of Colombian Rogelio Salmona borrows heavily from European culture while developing the potential of the high quality brick manufactured in his country.
Salmona exhibits a masterful command of the use of brick in all possible spatial arrangements -walls, floors and ceilingsalways articulating sound constructional compositions based on his many long years of experience with this ceramic material.
The two pieces (jamb-type and dripstone-type) specially designed by the architect for his buildings are used to create multiple finishes that dignify their architectural composition and functionality, with walls that are always at least one foot thick.
His housing projects such as “Torres del Parque” in Bogotá and public buildings such as the “Home of Colombia’s Distinguished Guests” or the headquarters for the General National Archives have earned him renown as one of Latin America’s most outstanding architects, as well as any number of honours and distinctions.