Ibo Bonilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ibo Bonilla Oconitrillo
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| Born | 23 January 1951 Sarchí, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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| Nationality | Costa Rican, Spanish |
| Alma mater | University of Costa Rica, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Escuela Europea de Negocios (Spain) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Valdesol |
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Ibo Bonilla Oconitrillo, born on January 23, 1951, is a talented architect, sculptor, mathematician, and teacher from Costa Rica. He holds both Costa Rican and Spanish citizenship. He is famous for designing buildings that work with nature (called bioclimatic buildings) and for creating amazing sculptures in public places.
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About Ibo Bonilla Oconitrillo
Ibo Bonilla is often called "Professor Ibo." He was born in Sarchí, a town in Alajuela, Costa Rica, known for its art. He has traveled a lot and studied many different subjects. He earned degrees in architecture, sculpture, mathematics, and education from the University of Costa Rica. He also studied quality management in Spain and has a master's degree in business administration.
In 1977, he became the very first architect to graduate with a degree in Costa Rica. He was also the first Costa Rican architect to be officially recognized as an architect in Spain. In 2023, he was named one of "the ten most famous Costa Ricans in the world." He was also recognized in 2020 as "the most influential architect in Costa Rica."
Ibo Bonilla's Professional Work
Designing Buildings: An Architect's View
Ibo Bonilla has a special way of describing architecture. He says it's like "sculpting space" to meet people's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He believes a building should have a "harmonic skin" that looks good, works well, and fits its location. When a building's look is most important, it's like a sculpture. If how it works is most important, it's like engineering. If its location is key, it's like landscaping. But a truly great architectural work balances all these things.
Public Buildings and Spaces
Ibo Bonilla has designed many important buildings. These include parts of the Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT) and the Central American Roche Headquarters. He also worked on banks, medical clinics, and condominiums.
He has also helped redesign public spaces. These include areas around the Central Bank of Costa Rica, the Plaza de la Cultura, and the Costa Rican Square of Justice.
Homes for Everyone
He has designed over 2 million square meters of homes. These include all types of residences, from simple houses to very unique and luxurious ones.
Buildings That Work with Nature
Ibo Bonilla is a leader in bioclimatic architecture. This means designing buildings that use the local climate to stay comfortable, saving energy. He has worked on projects for places like the Tropical Science Center and the Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT). He also helped with designs for famous national parks and gardens, such as Wilson Botanical Garden, Corcovado National Park, and Cocos Island National Park.
Eco-Friendly Tourism Projects
He has also focused on ecological tourism and rural tourism. These projects help people enjoy nature responsibly. Some of his works include projects in indigenous reserves like Kèköldi and farms like La Marta in Turrialba.
Creating Art: A Sculptor's Touch
Ibo Bonilla's sculptures can be found in parks, museums, galleries, and private collections worldwide. His art often explores themes like tropical nature, human feelings, and women. He uses many different materials, including wood, stone, metals, glass, and even lava.
He creates both medium-sized sculptures for indoors and large, monumental pieces for public spaces. He has shown his work in many art exhibitions in Costa Rica and Spain.
Some of his well-known sculptures include:
- "El Obelisko Fi": A bronze statue given as the National Prize of Architecture in Costa Rica.
- "Cercanías": A 3.80-meter tall sculpture in the Sculpture Park of Barva.
- "Naturaleza Asediada": A lava sculpture displayed in the Plaza de la Cultura Museum in San José, Costa Rica.
- "Amar y Brio": Two large rock sculptures at the entrance to Puebla Real Condominium in Heredia, Costa Rica.
- "Spiral of Success": A set of three steel sculptures in Tres Ríos. At 17.8 meters (58.4 feet), it is the tallest sculpture in Costa Rica.
Sharing Knowledge: A Dedicated Teacher
Since 1972, Ibo Bonilla has been a professor at several universities and schools. He has taught many subjects, including:
- Mathematics
- Architecture Semiotics (the study of signs and symbols in architecture)
- Architectural Design
- Communication Theory
He also helps students with their theses and research projects. He is known for encouraging his students to think about how their work can help society.
Giving Talks: A Speaker on Important Topics
Ibo Bonilla gives speeches at conferences and universities. He talks about topics like bioclimatic architecture, sustainable building, cultural heritage, and art. He emphasizes living together responsibly and protecting nature.
Helping Businesses and Communities
He also works as a business administrator. He focuses on how businesses can be fair and helpful to society. He has written articles about teamwork in business and how office design affects efficiency. He also helps indigenous groups and farmers improve their lives.
Literature
Ibo Bonilla has written articles for specialized magazines.
See also
In Spanish: Ibo Bonilla para niños
