Orlando Garcia
Founding Partner
Orlando García was born in 1975 in Medellín, Colombia. He attended Architecture school at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) in Medellin and received his Bachelors Degree in Architecture and Urbanism in 1999. After collaborating with the Laboratory of Architecture and Urbanism (LAUR) at the UPB in the design and construction of the Pies Descalzos Park and EPM Interactive Museum in Medellín, he traveled to the United States in 2001. In 2006 Orlando founded the architecture studio G Ateliers Architecture with offices in New York and Medellín. The practice was renamed to Atelier García in 2019.
Orlando has built a number of buildings in New York City and Medellin and has received several awards and honors including in several occasions, the Design Award of excellence from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) in New York, Finalist in the “Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Program” to collaborate with architect Peter Zumthor in 2014 and nominated to the “Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize” with the Fernando Botero Library Park in 2014. In 2018, Orlando received a recognition from Medellín City Council for his outstanding professional career.
Orlando Garcia Awards
2018
Honorary recognition for outstanding professional career awarded by the Medellín City Council.
2016
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) acquired eleven drawings and one architectural model of the Fernando Botero Library Park to be included in the Architecture and Design Collection.
2014
Finalist in the "Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize" with the built work: Fernando Botero Library Park as one of MCHAPs 36 inaugural Outstanding Projects.
Finalist in the Rolex Mentor and Protegé Arts Initiative Program to collaborate with Peter Zumthor.
2012
Honorary Mention in the XXIII Colombian Architecture Biennial with the Fernando Botero Library Park.
2009
Winner, International Competition for Library Park Fernando Botero- San Cristoal- Medellin, Colombia.
2006
Design Award or Excellence, The New York Council Society of American Registered Architects, Project: Myrtle Ave Condominiums. New York- USA.
2005
Design Award or Excellence, The New York Council Society of American Registered Architects, Project: Clarkson Ave Development. New York- USA.
2003
Award of excellence, The New York Council Society of American Registered Architects, Eight Annual Design Awards program. Project: Medellin International Convention Center.
2002
3rd Place, Medellin International Convention Center Competitionn, Medellin- Colombia.
2001
Honorary Mention for the Construction Supervision of Parque de los Pies Descalzos and the EPM Interactive Museum, Medellin- Colombia
Clara Arango
Partner
Clara Arango has adiverse background in architecture, academia, and the arts. She earned her bachelor's degree in Architecture from the National University of Colombia in Medellín in 2007.
In 2009, Clara was working as a Junior Architect for Convel, an architecture and construction firm, and collaborating on various international competitions with the architectural studio Paisajes Emergentes. She furthered her education in Milan, Italy, where she obtained a double degree in Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano and a degree in Innovation in Multidisciplinary Contexts from Politecnico di Torino in 2012. During this period, Clara contributed her skills to Fabrications, a research-based firm based in Amsterdam.
In 2012, Clara returned to Colombia, where she made significant contributions to the architecture studios Mapas Arquitectura y Territorio and LAP (Laboratorio de Arquitectura y Paisaje), eventually rising to the position of associate partner.
Clara's achievements extend beyond her professional career, as she secured 2nd place in the International Architecture Competition for the Medellín River Parks in 2013.
Her commitment to education led her to become a teacher at the School of Architecture at UPB from 2012 to 2016, in Medellín, Colombia.
Since 2016, Clara has transitioned her career to the arts field, excelling as both a museographer and gallerist. From 2017 until 2021, Clara demonstrated her leadership skills by directing the renowned art gallery, La Balsa Arte, in Medellin. Her multifaceted career showcases her versatility and expertise in architecture, academia, and the arts.
Clara Arango Awards
2022
Nomination to the 28th Colombian Architecture Biennal
Category: Architecture project-Housing.
With Ballen Houses.
2022
Nomination to the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP).
With Ballen Houses.
2020
¨Best retreat¨ award from Wallpaper Magazine.
With Ballen Houses.
2020
Finalist of Architectural Review House Awards.
With Ballen Houses.
2013
Second place on the Architectural Competition for the Medellín River Park.
LAP + Mapas + Clara Arango.
Honary Mention to the Plaza de La Hoja social housing competition.
Bogotá, Colombia.
Juliana Gomez Aristizabal + MAPAS +Clara Arango.
2011
Third place to the competition for the requalification of the Balangero-y-Corio asbestos mining site.
Italy.
Andrea Debosio + Clara Arango.
Honary Mention to the public competition for the intervention to Buñol Castle,
Spain.
Andrea Debosio + Clara Arango.
Finalist to the public competition for Garbatola piaza,
Milan, Italy.
Andrea Debosio + Clara Arango.
2009
Honary Mention to the public competition for the requalification of the Campin Stadium.
Bogotá.
Area 4 + Clara Arango
Atelier Garcia Past Collaborators