Lecture at Iberoamerican University of Tijuana International (Mexico)

Invited by the Archivo Histórico de Tijuana and promoted by the Secretaría de Cultura de Tijuana, Alvaro Leonardo described in this lecture the life and architectural legacy of Abelardo Lafuente for the Mexican architectural community of Tijuana at the IBERO Tijuana University in the Auditorio Loyola.

This presentation examines the work, architectural legacy, and artistic style of the only Spanish architect officially registered in Shanghai. Born in Spain but virtually unknown in his homeland, he operated during a golden era of international cultural exchange. He made his mark in China’s most cosmopolitan, foreign-friendly metropolis by introducing the celebrated Spanish Neo-Arab style, earning widespread acclaim and renown. Abelardo Lafuente (1871–1931) launched his prolific 25-year career in the Spanish Philippines in 1898. He went on to dominate the architectural scene in China for a decade—achieving a level of success unmatched by any other Spaniard until 1926—before his growing fame in Asia swept him to Hollywood and Tijuana for another five years. Ultimately, he passed away in Shanghai, returning to the very city where he had reached the pinnacle of his career.

The two most important projects of this period will be presented in the lecture, especially focusing on his Tijuana Project, the "Casino y Casa de Beneficencia Española de Tijuana". The project was developed together with the Mexican partner, Rafael Silvestre, who texted him months later about the progress of the construction. Surprisingly, the building is missing today, and this is an opportunity for the architectural community of Tijuana to find out where it was. The second most important project of this period for the architect was his own family mansion in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, called "Casa Sevilla" which was one of the most important buildings of his career, together with the "Little Alhambra" of Shanghai. For detailed references of these buildings, see the academic journal's download page HERE.

Across three decades of intense professional activity, Lafuente executed diverse projects spanning five countries and three continents. He stands out as such a singular, unique figure that analyzing his portfolio is essential for anyone seeking to understand the Arab-influenced architecture exported by Spain at the dawn of the 20th century. Lafuente introduced a distinctly Spanish aesthetic to China that endured for decades: the Neo-Arabic style. Amazingly, his buildings still stand in modern Shanghai today, having remained virtually unnoticed until their recent, accidental rediscovery.

Because of its isolated and exceptional nature, his life serves as an inspiring blueprint for overcoming adversity and thriving in environments vastly different from the European context of his era. Today, while his legacy is finally gaining hard-earned recognition in the dynamic city of Shanghai, this lecture offers a premier opportunity to showcase his impactful years on the West Coast and his exceptional time in the vibrant city of Tijuana, where he designed and constructed a truly fabulous project.