Architect and photographer / Venezuela
Gorka Dorronsoro
Caracas-born architect and photographer, National Architecture Prize 20081939–2017The architect
Gorka Dorronsoro
Gorka Dorronsoro was born in Caracas in 1939 and trained at the Faculty of Architecture of the Universidad Central de Venezuela. Soon after graduating he joined the university’s Planning and Construction Office, where he worked as an assistant to Carlos Raúl Villanueva from 1964 to 1972 on the Ciudad Universitaria, one of the country’s defining modern ensembles.
Beyond his own buildings, he taught architectural design in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Costa Rica, and became known for urban renewal projects. He was also a respected photographer of Venezuelan social life and portraits, and in 2008 he received the National Architecture Prize. A retrospective of his architecture and photography opened at the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas in 2023.
- Born
- 1939, Caracas
- Died
- 17 April 2017, Caracas
- Studied
- Faculty of Architecture, Universidad Central de Venezuela
- Key period
- Assistant to Carlos Raúl Villanueva at the UCV, 1964–1972
- Recognition
- National Architecture Prize of Venezuela, 2008
Selected works
Buildings to know.
Photo: Warairarepano&Guaicaipuro, CC0
Caracas
School of Metallurgical Engineering, Ciudad Universitaria (UCV)
One of the faculty buildings Dorronsoro designed while working in Villanueva’s university planning office. It forms part of the Ciudad Universitaria campus in Caracas.
Photo: Warairarepano&Guaicaipuro, CC0
Caracas
School of Sanitary Engineering, Ciudad Universitaria (UCV)
Another of his contributions to the university campus during his years with Villanueva, alongside the Metallurgical Engineering building.
1967 · Caracas
Casa Garmendia
A private house in Caracas credited to Dorronsoro, and one of the residential works most often cited from his early career.
Image credits
- Escuela de Ingenieria Metalurgica de la UCV Caracas Venezuela septiembre 2023 (8), by Warairarepano&Guaicaipuro, CC0. View on Wikimedia Commons
- Departamento de Ingenieria Sanitaria UCV Caracas Venezuela 6 12 23 (1), by Warairarepano&Guaicaipuro, CC0. View on Wikimedia Commons
Sources
This profile is compiled from public sources and written in our own words.