April 25, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Architect Combined Modernism, SW Style
By Lloyd Jojola, Journal Staff WriterJorge de la Torre was a modernist at heart, an architect who, as a son said, had the means to elegantly combine the New Mexico vernacular style with that modernist simplicity.
"I think that was kind of his main stamp on architecture in New Mexico, is this clean, noncluttered interpretation of the Southwest, New Mexico style," said Carlos de la Torre, a son who is also an architect.
Jorge Miguel de la Torre, who arrived in the United States from Bolivia 45 years ago to study architecture at the University of New Mexico and left his mark as a designer of structures throughout the state and the American West, died April 15. The Albuquerque resident was 65.
De la Torre's pragmatic approach helped make him a favorite among many developers, and his designs garnered local and regional awards, his sons said.
Carlos de La Torre said it's not difficult to find a project his father worked on or had a hand in designing.
They included homes in Taylor Ranch and Supper Rock in Albuquerque; the South Valley Library; the State Library, Archives and Records Center in Santa Fe; the visitors center in Pilar; and various public buildings in Taos.
From a closer perspective, de la Torre family members recall a man with a strong work ethic, dry wit and someone who "thought family was first and foremost."
De la Torre was born into a prominent family in Cochabamba, Bolivia— a grandfather of his was a longtime mayor of the city, while the other grandfather founded the school of dentistry. His father owned a hotel-spa.
"There was a lot of political unrest during the late '50s, early '60s, which made it so that my dad decided to come to the United States to finish his studies," said his son of the same name, Jorge de la Torre.
He didn't speak English and, being that the Bolivian government limited the amount of money that could be taken out of the country, he arrived with basically no money, his family said.
He worked as an Alvarado Hotel busboy, at the State Fairgrounds horse stables and helped clean pools to get by.
De la Torre was on the brink of returning to his native country because he couldn't make ends meet, when Max and Charlie Hagest offered him a place to stay.
"He ended up graduating magna cum laude in three years from the School of Architecture," Jorge de la Torre said.
In 1966, Jorge Miguel de la Torre returned to Bolivia, married, and he and his wife, Maria, came to Albuquerque the next year.
De la Torre worked for several firms, including with architects John Reed and Dale Bellamah, before opening up De La Torre Architects in 1975. He then went into partnership with De La Torre & Rainhart before practicing solo again, his family said.
De la Torre, who liked fly-fishing, hunting and skiing and was an avid painter, is remembered as a man who loved to cook and entertain guests.
A memorial service for de la Torre was held Saturday.
Survivors include his wife, Maria Mercedes; sons, Jorge de la Torre and his wife, Kelly, of Denver, and Carlos de la Torre and his wife, Sarah, of Seattle; grandchildren, Jordi, Luca, Gabriella and Mateo; mother, Martha Muller de la Torre of Cochabamba, Bolivia; and three brothers, Luis de la Torre and Alfonso de la Torre, both of Albuquerque, and Carlos de la Torre of Cochabamba, Bolivia.