Luz Amorocho facts for kids

Luz Amorocho Carreño (born April 23, 1922 – died September 29, 2019) was a very important Colombian architect. She was the first woman in Colombia to finish university and become an architect. She helped create one of the first big plans for the city of Bogotá. Luz Amorocho worked on many public and private buildings in Bogotá during her career. From 1966 to 1988, she led the Planning Department at the National University of Colombia. She also spent ten years writing down the history of all the buildings on the university campus.

Early Life and Education

María Luz Amorocho Carreño was born in 1922 in Bogotá, Colombia. Her parents, Ana Lucía Carreño Phillips and Marco Amorocho Tulio, came from a town called Socorro, Santander. They moved to Bogotá to find better chances. Even though they were not rich, the family had many books. Luz and her siblings were always encouraged to study hard.

Luz Amorocho started college in 1940. She studied at the School of Architecture at the National University of Colombia. In 1945, she made history by graduating. She became the very first woman architect in Colombia.

A Career in Architecture

Right after Luz Amorocho graduated, the Ministry of Education started a new school. It was called the Cundinamarca High School of Female Culture (Spanish: Colegio Mayor de Cultura Femenina de Cundinamarca). Luz was chosen to be one of the directors there. She taught important skills like draftsmanship and architecture.

In 1946, Luz Amorocho wrote an article with other architects. It was called Bogotá puede ser una ciudad moderna, which means "Bogotá can be a modern city." This article caused a lot of excitement. In it, Luz suggested that Bogotá should become more modern. She wanted the city to have a clear plan for its growth. The article showed how city squares could be made into clean apartment buildings. These new areas would have green spaces and wide streets. It also explained how to get money to build these projects.

After a difficult time in Colombia called La Violencia started in 1948, Luz began new work. She joined the Ministry of Public Works in Tumaco. Her job was to rebuild buildings that were destroyed during the riots. For two years, she built schools and offices.

Then, Luz Amorocho worked for a famous company called Cuéllar Serrano and Gómez for ten years. This company designed many important buildings in Bogotá. These included hospitals, the Jockey Club, and several businesses. While working there, Luz helped design and build the famous Hotel Tequendama.

In the 1960s, Luz Amorocho went to Paris, France, to study more. She worked with a French architect named Nicole Sonolet. When she came back from Paris in 1966, Luz started a new role. She became the head of the Division of Physics and Planning at the National University. She helped connect her friends in France with her co-workers in Colombia. She also planned many building projects for public spaces. These included new buildings, gardens, open areas, parks, and roads.

In the 1970s, Luz Amorocho started a huge project. It took her more than ten years to finish. She carefully wrote down the design, construction, and history of every single building on the National University campus. This detailed work helped preserve the university's history.

Later Life and Passing

Luz Amorocho passed away on September 29, 2019. She was buried at the Chapinero Cemetery in Bogotá. Her legacy as a pioneering architect continues to inspire many.