Juan Borchers Fernández (n. Punta Arenas, August 4, 1910 - † Santiago de Chile, April 27, 1975) was a Chilean architect, humanist and architectural theorist, and creator of mportant projects and architectural works in Chile.
Biography edit
Early years edit
Juan Borchers Fernandez was the son of Juan Borchers Neuhaus (born in Bremen, Germany) and Elisa Fernandez (born in Sardin, Asturias). He studied in the German School and the Punta Arenas men's high school. In this city, he developed his inclination towards poetry, stories, drawing and art. His father (a shipowner) instilled ideas of mathematics and navigation instruments, as well as a desire for travelling.
University edit
In the summer of 1929, he travelled to Santiago where he betan study in the School of Architecture at the University of Chile. There he studied the texts of Le Corbusier, Matila Ghyka, Rimbaud, Poincaré, etc. In 1937, he was suspended from exams at the university due to his participation in the student movement that promoted reform of teaching architecture to include principals of modern archictecture, the Bauhaus, Le Corbusier, and Gropius, the Dutch and Austrian movement. He spent two years outside of school, developing projects and dedicating himself to study. In 1938, he returned to the university and graduated.
Europe and Le Corbusier edit
In 1938, after leaving the school of architecture, he decided to travel to Paris to meet Le Corbusier. For the first time, he travelled through Argentina, then through Germany (where he studied the Cathedrial of Cologne). Later, he travelled through the Netherlands and Italy, before finally arriving in Paris. He spoke on various ocassions with Le Corbusier in his workshop located on Rue de Sêvres 35. In 1939, he returned to Chile due to the outbreak of World War II, and passed through Greece.
Travels edit
In 1948, he travelled again to Europe, this time accompanied by his friend and architect Isidro Suarez. This trip lasted for 10 years. He lived in multiple places, though most of the time in Paris and Madrid. He met Jesus Bermejo, Atilano Lamana, Ricardo Astaburuaga, Peter Seeberg, Carlos Arean y Juan Ballester Peña. In 1949, Borchers dedicated himself to the study of architectural theory. Places he visited included Spain (where he visted various cities), France, Italy, Egypt, Morocco, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Germany. He studied the theories of Arturo Soria y Mata and the founding of South American cities in the General Archive of the Indies in Seville. In 1953, he conducted various studies of the plant world.
Category:Chilean architects Category:1975 deaths Category:1910 births