1964 Alvarez View of Proposed Religious Center at Inter American University
ReligiousCenter-alvarez-1964$500.00
Title
Religious Center - Inter-American University - San German, Puerto Rico
1964 (undated) 30 x 42 in (76.2 x 106.68 cm)
1964 (undated) 30 x 42 in (76.2 x 106.68 cm)
Description
This is a c. 1964 Alfonso Alvarez painting of a proposed religious center on the campus of the Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico. Alvarez's proposed design is impressive, although it was ultimately not the design selected. Alvarez's chapel dominates the site and employs an aesthetic reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House. Palm trees and other greenery dot the center, while buildings for classrooms and other purposes spread out in front of the chapel. A parking lot appears at the far right. Today, the Paul A. Wolfe Memorial Chapel (Capilla Paúl A. Wolfe Memorial in Spanish) stands on Inter-American University's campus. Construction began on the chapel and its related religious center in 1967 with a groundbreaking ceremony on January 29.
Publication History and Census
This view was painted by Alfonso Alvarez for an unidentified design competition for the chapel and religious center at Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico c. 1964. This is the only known surviving example.Cartographer
Alfonso Alvarez (April 1, 1906 - July 26, 1974) was a Portuguese-American architect. Born in Portugal, Alvarez arrived in the United States at ten years old. Alvarez attended Washington University and Princeton University's Graduate School of Architecture. After graduation, he founded his own architecture firm and specialized in designing churches, school, and private homes. Over the course of his career, Alvarez designed over 250 school projects throughout New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. He also designed the home offices of Bankers National Life Insurance Company and several churches, including St. Joseph's Church in Bound Brook and St. Mary's Church in Park Ridge. He designed the fire arts center for Southhampton College. During his career, Alvarez also served as consulting architect for the New York University School of Education and taught at Montclair State College and St. John's University. More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Very good. Matted.