Modern Architecture's Technologies in Venezuela: Industrial Heritage in Crisis

Architecture in Venezuela during the 1950's decade implied projects and works with different references to international architecture. This decade witnessed local improvements to adapt international references to the tropical weather, and even new applications for building technologies. Those were the leading roles for architectural expression, most of them with concrete as the basic component. Large roof canopies for different uses were unique structures. Those experiments during the fifties made possible the development of standardized design and prefab systems for specific projects during the seventies. In all of them it was important to streamline construction schedule, optimize local labour and use of materials. The works discussed on this paper represent some of the brilliant collaboration between engineer and architecture in Venezuela, as it relates to factories and storehouses. These works are an important industrial heritage, part of modern architecture and fundamental ingredient to the image of this oil Latin-American country during that age.