Abelardo Lafuente García-Rojo facts for kids
Abelardo Lafuente Garcia-Rojo (born April 30, 1871, in Fuentidueña de Tajo, Spain – died 1931 in Shanghai, China) was a talented Spanish architect and businessman. He had his own architecture studio in Shanghai during a time when many foreign businesses were setting up there. From 1913 to 1931, he was the only Spanish architect with a registered studio in the city. Lafuente was known for mixing Spanish architectural styles, like Mozarab and Moorish designs, into Chinese buildings.
In 2009, another Spanish architect, Alvaro Leonardo Perez, started the Lafuente Research Project. This project studies Lafuente's work. Its first findings were shared at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. The project is still ongoing today.
Contents
Lafuente's Career
Lafuente started his career in Manila, a city in the Philippines. His first studio was called A. Lafuente Architect & Contractor.
Moving to Shanghai
In 1913, Lafuente moved to Shanghai, China. There, he opened a new studio named A. Lafuente Garcia-Rojo, Architect & Contractor. Later, he teamed up with an American architect named G. O. Wootten. Their studio was called Lafuente & Wootten.
Key Projects
Lafuente and Wootten worked together for several years. One of their most famous projects was the ballroom at the Astor House Hotel. This beautiful ballroom was built in 1917.
After this partnership, Lafuente ran the studio by himself again. He then partnered with a Russian architect, A. J. Yaron. Their new studio was named Lafuente & Yaron.
Working with Hotels
For about ten years, Lafuente worked for the biggest hotel company in Asia at that time. This was the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd.. He helped to fix up and improve their buildings.
His most important work during this time was the Majestic Hotel, completed in 1924. He designed its new ballroom, which was considered the most luxurious in Asia. Lafuente also designed many other types of buildings. These included churches, mosques, private homes, apartment buildings, movie theaters, clubs, and hospitals.
Influence and Clients
Lafuente's good reputation in the Spanish community was even mentioned in a book. This book was called La vuelta al mundo de un novelista by Vicente Blasco Ibanez.
A Spanish businessman named Antonio Ramos was very important to Lafuente's work in China. Ramos was also his best client. Antonio Ramos was famous for bringing motion pictures, or movies, to China. Lafuente was asked to build some of Ramos's most important movie theaters.
Work in North America
Lafuente also worked in North America. He built houses in Los Angeles, California, and in Tijuana, Mexico. From 1927 to 1930, he managed his business in California and Mexico while still working in Shanghai.
After the Crash of 1929, which was a big economic problem, Lafuente decided to return to Shanghai. He wanted to work on more projects there. He passed away in Shanghai at the Shanghai General Hospital in 1931, when he was 60 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Abelardo Lafuente García-Rojo para niños
