A viral video showing a Bogotá design studio smashing apart a staircase created by renowned architect Rogelio Salmona has sparked outrage across Colombia, reigniting debate over how the country protects its architectural heritage.
The staircase was part of an apartment in the Altos de Santa Ana building, one of Salmona’s designs that was officially named a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in 2010—Colombia’s version of a protected historic landmark, meant to shield significant structures from alteration or demolition. The studio, Deconama, said it removed the piece because its color darkened the space, replacing it with LED-lit stairs and knocking down a wall.
Salmona, who died in 2007, was among Colombia’s most celebrated 20th-century architects, winning the National Architecture Prize twice, the Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands, and Finland’s prestigious Alvar Aalto Medal, among other honors.
His widow, María Madriñán, says the incident reflects widespread ignorance about heritage protections in Colombia. She revealed she has petitioned UNESCO to recognize four of Salmona’s projects as world heritage sites. Painter Carlos Salas, who has written about Salmona’s work, noted this isn’t the first time: Bogotá’s Museum of Modern Art and the Virgilio Barco Library, both Salmona designs, have also suffered damaging alterations. Salas added that Salmona was famously meticulous, even refusing commissions he couldn’t personally oversee.
Read the full story at El Tiempo for more details.
Source: Viuda de Rogelio Salmona, María Madriñán, habla del video donde dañan escaleras del arquitecto (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: o palsson, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).