Pedro Ignacio Alonso

Pedro Ignacio Alonso is an Associate Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and Program Director of the AA Visiting School to Santiago at the Architectural Association in London. His interdisciplinary work bridges architectural practice, historical research, and curation with focus on global architectural exchanges.

His educational background includes:

• MSc in Architecture from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
• Ph.D. in Architectural Theory from the Architectural Association, London

Alonso's research centers on large-concrete panel systems of prefabrication and their international transfer during the Cold War, examining connections between USSR, Cuba, and Chile. His work uniquely intersects architectural history, construction technology, visual culture, labor history, and international relations. Additional research explores ecological and industrial themes in the Atacama Desert, revealing architecture's relationship with extreme environments and resource extraction.

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on Cold War architectural exchanges and material culture, with award-winning works examining concrete panel systems across geopolitical contexts. These publications reflect methodological rigor in connecting built environments with socio-political histories.

Key recognitions include:

• Silver Lion at the 14th Venice Architecture Biennial (2014)
• DAM Architectural Book Award for Panel and Monolith Controversies
• Princeton-Mellon Fellowship (2015-2016)

Alonso has secured significant research funding from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Getty Research Institute, and served as Visiting Scholar at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA). His academic supervision encompasses architectural theory and design at both Chilean and London institutions, while his curatorial practice extends research into public exhibition formats.

His exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale-awarded Monolith Controversies, have been presented at the Architectural Association, Pratt Institute, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and São Paulo Cultural Centre, demonstrating international scholarly impact through visual and spatial media.