Paraguay

Without doubt Solano Benitez and Javier Corvalan are two outstanding figures of contemporary Paraguayan architecture, both as architects and teachers. But more than that, their work shows a research approach that is quite unlike that of any of their international colleagues. Given its natural resources, a strong emphasis on self sustained local economy and the prospect of an open and more vibrant future, Paraguay is ready to project its next phase of development without repeating or importing the failures of modern progress: a radical plea for a low-tech rather than a high-tech approach. Energy generation and consumption, emission standards, appropriate construction methods and defensible agricultural processing methods are key decisions towards a sustainable future of humanity worldwide. Benítez and Corvalán contribute clear and profound statements how to build towards this future thus shifting consuetudinary definitions of relevance in modern architecture.