User:Seongyeon Song/Alejandro Zohn draft

Alejandro Zohn (born Alexander Zohn; born 8 August 1930, in Vienna – 2000, in Guadalajara) was a Mexican architect. He was a Holocaust survivor who grew up in Western Mexico.

Alejandro Zohn studied at the Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico, graduating as an engineer in 1955 and as an architect in 1963. During his university studies, Zohn was influenced by the work of the artist Mathias Goeritz. He was focused on the flexible and formal aspects of governing structures and concrete. This is demonstrated by his last work and engineering thesis, "Nuevo Mercado Libertad", in the San Juan de Dios neighborhood in 1955. Also, his abilities as an engineer are reflected in several bold and ingenious structures. Notable examples are the acoustic shell (1958) in Agua Azul Park, the Libertad Market (1959) and the 'Adolfo López Mateos' sports centre (1962), all in Guadalajara.

The market is especially noteworthy for its roof of hyperbolic paraboloids, which allow for wide areas without supports. He also built residential blocks, paying careful attention to details of interior functionality, the durability and maintenance of materials and residents’ individuality. The housing complex 'CTM-Atemajac' (1979), Guadalajara, is one of his main achievements in this area, comprising several buildings with brick facing, none more than five stories.

Among his numerous other designs in Guadalajara, the most notable are the Banco Refaccionario de Jalisco (1973), the Plaza del Sol, the 'Mulbar' shopping centre and car park and the Archivo del Estado de Jalisco building (1989). The latter is in exposed concrete and has a minimum of openings, emotional style and has affinities with the vernacular architecture of the Jalisco area.

Architectural style
Zohn's architectural style is distinguished by the use of mathematical precision and natural references to create a one-of-a-kind shape and space. In his designs, he employs geometric forms such as paraboloids and hyperbolic paraboloids, which have visual effects while also providing structural stability in space.

Major Works
Alejandro Zohn's works include the following:


 * The Concha Acústica (Acoustic Shell), Agua Azul Park, Guadalajara, Mexico (1958). Using Zohn's architectural philosophy of geometry, he used a hyperbolic parabola to make sounds far and wide from the audience.
 * The Mulbar Shopping Center, Guadalajara, Mexico (1973–1974). This is one of the first shopping malls to be built in Mexico. It was designed structurally and made using various materials such as concrete, bricks, and steel.
 * The Plaza Del Sol, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (1969). This is one of the largest outdoor shopping malls in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico, and the first Latin American shopping mall.
 * The Mercado Libertad, Guadalajara, Mexico (1956-1958). This is an indoor shopping mall and one of the largest markets in Mexico.
 * The Lopez Mateos Sports Complex, Guadalajara, Mexico (1962). It shows the architectural style of Alejandro Zohn. The structure has eight parabolas connecting five hyperbolic parabolas and another parabola connecting four parabolas to the wing.
 * The Urban redesign in Mexico. Zohn designed general planning in Puerto Vallarta and road and visual improvements centered on Tlaquepaque, Cervantes Boarding School, Reactionary Bank, Hotel delos Reyes and Acapulco Golf Club.

Exhibitions

 * Seeking Zohn (Apr 1-Jul 23, 2023), MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles.
 * Latin America in Construction: Architecture, 1955–1980 (Mar 29–Jul 19, 2015) - Museum of Modern Art, New York City