Abstract

SOLANO-MEZA, Natalia  and  SEGURA, Luis Durán. Architecture, Progress and National Reality in the Research Project of Ofelia Sanou Alfaro. Diálogos rev. electr. hist [online]. 2024, vol.25, n.1, pp.24-49. ISSN 1409-469X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/dre.v25i1.55950.

This article examines the trajectory of Ofelia Sanou Alfaro, a Costa Rican architect, historian, and activist born in San José, in 1950, through a comprehensive bibliographical analysis, with a particular focus on Sanou’s publications. The article identifies the main characteristics of her research project in architectural history, which she began developing in 1998. This project stands out for its innovative methodological approach, intertwining the political and economic histories of the country with the histories of architectural objects, institutions, and professionals. Consequently, Sanou’s academic work can be seen as an architectural practice, rooted in her profound interest in the built environment and her exploration of new possibilities for the profession. The article concludes by highlighting the unique aspects of Sanou’s work, its potential as a platform for formulating novel inquiries, and its continued relevance in contemporary contexts

Keywords : built environment; city; history; Costa Rica; research.

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