Loreto Lyon

Loreto Lyon co-founded architecture studio Beals & Lyon Architecture with Alejandro Beals in 2012. The independent practice is distinguished by careful attention to local context, materials, and details. Their interests and work range from landscape and infrastructure, public buildings, and spaces, to interior and furniture design. Their aim is to contribute to the lives of the people and communities who inhabit their buildings – providing meaningful and memorable experiences.

Loreto Lyon is also Professor of Architecture at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is Director of the School of Architecture at Universidad San Sebastián (USS) in Santiago, Chile since 2021. She is also Director of the School of Architects in Chile, where she co-curated and co-directed the previous Architectural Biennale in Chile, Habitts Vulnerables.

Beals & Lyon Architecture have published and exhibited extensively. The practice won the installation for the Chilean version of the MoMA – PS1 Young Architects’ Program; Platforma Arquitectura’s Building of the Year Award (2020) and the Oscar Niemeyer for Latin American Architecture (2020) with the project Nancagua Town Hall in central Chile. The monograph Beals & Lyon Architects: Public Voids features a selection of works about public architecture (Ediciones ARQ, 2016).

Loreto Lyon studied architecture at Universidad Católica de Chile and obtained a Master of Science in Environmental Design and Engineering from the Bartlett School, University College of London – UCL (2011).

She worked as associate architect with the Chilean architect Smiljan Radic (2004-10), developing various projects and competitions including Vik Winery.

She has been a visiting critic at the Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), visiting professor at the Università Iuav di Venezia (IUAV), Escola da Cidade in São Paulo, and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Loreto Lyon was a member of the Holcim Awards 2023 jury for Latin America.