Latin American architecture from the perspective of architect Claudio Caveri. Baroque connections to think contemporary narratives and dynamics

Abstract

What contributions might Latin America offer to contemporary architectural debates, and from what intellectual sources would these ideas arise? In the 20th century, questioning architecture’s ontology led some theorists to critique the fragile epistemology underpinning Euro-American modernity. One such figure was the Argentine architect Claudio Caveri, whose work helped to demystify the notion of the rational, enlightened individual. This essay explores the potential connections between Baroque theory and Caveri’s thought, analyzing his contributions to architectural and cultural theory. We will trace the links between Caveri’s ideas and Baroque theory while also engaging with the contemporary relevance of Latin American perspectives. In this context, we will draw on Enrique Dussel’s concepts of transmodernity and interculturality to examine how these theories shape the development of a distinct Latin American epistemology.