Bruno Stagno is Principal of Bruno Stagno Arquitecto y Asociados of San José, Costa Rica.

He is also the Founder and Director of the Institute for Tropical Architecture, which combines concepts of tropical architecture with those of international contemporary architecture.

Bruno Stagno focuses his practice on the communion of building with nature, juxtaposing tradition and innovation. His work embodies the principles of critical regionalism in a time where globalization is the dominant force. He has developed an intense activity, focusing on the maximum exploitation of both the climate characteristics of the Tropic and the logical use of materials.

Born in Santiago, Chile and a Costa Rican national, he has studied architecture at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago and the École des Beaux Arts in Paris.

His work has been exhibited and collected in numerous publications and meetings such as Venice Biennale in 2004. He is the author of Bruno Stagno: An Architect in the Tropics and Ciudades Tropicales Sostenibles (Sustainable Tropical Cities). He is also co-author of Tropical Architecture: Critical Regionalism in the Age of Globalization.

In 1997 he was recipient of the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development Award and the First Award in Architecture at the 8th Santo Domingo International Biennial of Architecture in 2006. He was awarded the Juan Torres Higueras Award for his research and diffusion of tropical architecture in Costa Rica in 2005.

His design for the Holcim Costa Rica office building in San José reduces energy demand through natural lighting and ventilation, achieves this at a relatively modest cost, presents a striking and attractive appearance, and provides a stimulating work environment – and was named by the Spanish version of GEO magazine as one of the five pioneering sustainable buildings on the planet.

Bruno Stagno was a member of the regional jury for Latin America of the Holcim Awards competition in 2005 and will also be a member of the jury for 2008.

[last update 27-Jun-08]