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Original article: La labor de los arquitectos no sólo es construir: es también saber reforzar obras

Concepción, May 20, 2026.-

Dear Director: I write from experience, without the intention of being self-referential. I read with concern that 50 newly completed houses in Olivar, Quinta Región, are set to be demolished. I have no doubt that it is possible to REINFORCE them. I urge Minister Poduje to avoid this disaster and consult with expert professionals to prevent this blunder.

It is inconceivable that, with the impressive development of current technology, a relatively small technical problem cannot be resolved—something that was routinely addressed in the last century.

The role of architects is not just to build. It is also about knowing how to REINFORCE structures. It is always possible to do so, except in extreme cases. Concepción could maintain its beautiful Municipality built in 1920 and its lovely Concepción theater inaugurated in 1890, among other buildings—if not for the lack of knowledge some professionals have demonstrated. It was entirely feasible to preserve those buildings by REINFORCING them.

In 1939, my mother, architect Luz Sobrino, the eleventh woman to graduate from the University of Chile (Registration number 339 from the College of Architects), worked in Concepción reconstructing collapsed houses and REINFORCING those damaged by the earthquake that year. They remain crack-free to this day.

I followed in my mother’s footsteps and graduated as an architect from the University of Chile in 1967 (I.C.A. 2059 from the C. of A.). We had excellent structural engineering professors. Architects were then authorized to design buildings up to four stories tall. I loved structures and successfully calculated many houses and buildings, without engineers and without issues from the Municipal Works Department of Concepción. These structures remain intact with no cracks, despite the earthquake in 2010.

Cost to repair and reinforce: 3.5 million per house (175 million for the 50). Cost to demolish and reconstruct: 90 million per house (4.5 billion for the 50). This does not even account for the emotional toll on families.

With all due respect, Minister Poduje: LET’S REINFORCE AND NOT DESTROY.

Ana Dall’Orso Sobrino, Architect.-

La entrada Architects’ Role Extends Beyond Construction: The Importance of Reinforcement se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.