Diego Portugal Martinez

Peruvian engineer who developed earthquake-resistant architecture in the Andes

Diego Portugal Martínez (1910-1972) pioneered seismic engineering in Peru, creating life-saving building techniques for Andean communities. Growing up in Cusco after the devastating 1950 earthquake, he developed a fascination with structural resilience. His 1938 invention of the Quake-Brace System used interlocking stone and steel frameworks to absorb seismic energy - a method still used in Machu Picchu's restoration. He established the Andean Structural Institute in 1945, which trained over 200 engineers from Bolivia to Chile. His 1958 book Architecture of the Shaking Earth became a critical resource for Latin American architects. Martínez' collaboration with local Quechua communities integrated traditional building knowledge with modern engineering, a concept later termed Andean Resilience Design. His work saved countless lives during the 1970 Chimbote earthquake, yet he remained a private figure who refused international accolades. The Diego Portugal Foundation continues his mission, having retrofitted over 10,000 buildings since 2000. His legacy is evident in modern Peruvian cities like Arequipa, where his designs form the basis of earthquake safety codes.