Emilio Herrera Linares

Revived Andean architectural traditions through modernist reinterpretations

Emilio Herrera Linares (1910-1968) redefined Peruvian architecture by blending pre-Incan techniques with modernist principles. A Cusco native, he studied under Le Corbusier before returning to Peru in 1938. His masterpiece Casa de la Cultura (1943) used local stone and trapezoidal windows inspired by Machu Picchu. Herrera's 'Neo-Andean' style incorporated terraces from Inca ruins with reinforced concrete, influencing the design of the National University of San Antonio Abad. He trained over 100 indigenous masons, preserving ancient construction methods while creating modern public buildings. His 1956 book Arquitectura Andina Moderna remains a cornerstone of Latin American architectural theory.