Lecture: Cultural Patrimony in Coral Gables & the Documentation and Restoration of the Fink Studio
by Ricardo Lopez, UM School of Architecture Faculty and Frank Martinez & Ana Alvarez of Martinez Alvarez Architects
Submitted for AIA CES Approval
Doors Open: 5:30pm
Lecture Begins: 6:15pm
Q & A: 7:15pm
Cocktail Reception: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Lecture Description
The Documentation of the H. George Fink Studio by Prof. Ricardo Lopez
The preparation of the HABS (Historic American Survey Collection at the Library of Congress) submittal and process requirements for the H. George Fink Studio, Coral Gables, Florida, as demonstrated in the work produced by students of the University of Miami School of Architecture working in a course by Prof. Ricardo Lopez. The virtues of documentation of historic buildings for the education of architects shall be discussed and in the context of the work done for the Fink Studio.
&
The Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Project: The H. George Fink Studio by Prof. Frank Martinez & Ana Alvarez
This restoration and adaptive reuse project was conducted on a historically designated landmark located in downtown Coral Gables. Although a relatively small and humble building, its significance comes from being the first architect’s office in the City – architect H. George Fink was a key member of the team that designed early Coral Gables.
Constructed in 1925, the building was one of the first designed in the Mediterranean Revival Style. The City of Coral Gables purchased the building in 2016 with the intent of restoring the building and granting public access to the building once complete – allowing the residents and guests of Coral Gables to enjoy its spectacular, historic interiors.
The project spanned 4 years and included a building assessment, research, preservation studies, design and permit document phases, and construction oversight. We are hoping the presentation will initiate inclusion, and attention to, historic preservation projects of this scale.
The presentation will focus on:
The preparation of the documentation drawings by team lead by Prof. Ricardo Lopez; and the restoration and adaptive reuse project by Prof. Frank Martinez and Ana Alvarez of Martinez & Alvarez Architects.
Cocktail Reception to Follow
Ricardo Lopez
Ricardo Lopez is an instructor at the University of Miami School of Architecture, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Architecture and Urbanism. He’s been part of the faculty since 2004, teaching drawing, design, study-abroad, and historic preservation courses. In particular, he has developed the school’s Historic Documentation of Architecture course by integrating new technology with the Institute for Data Science & Computing and leading multiple Peterson Prize winning documentations. He has served as the Assistant Director at the Center for Urban and Community Design with a concentration in Preservation and Engagement projects in the Caribbean. He is the current Chair of the City of Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board and a principal at RJ Heisenbottle Architects in Coral Gables.
Ana Alvarez & Frank Martinez
Frank Martinez is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Miami School of Architecture and a Master in Architecture from Princeton University. His teaching focuses on courses in Design, History/Theory and Drawing; including teaching in the Rome Program, where he lectures and leads courses on Roman Villas and Gardens, Renaissance and Baroque Architecture and Urban Design. He also teaches seminars on select topics on Early American Architecture and heads the UM Grand Tour of Europe (a university wide summer study abroad program), along with participating in the INTBAU international summer programs on traditional architecture and urban design research.
Ana Alvarez received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Miami School of Architecture and a Master in Design Studies from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and serves on the PFAC Advisory Committee at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Florida. The office work ranges in scale and complexity from new custom homes and historic renovation projects to campus design and institutional buildings. Built projects include single and multi-family dwellings in the New Urban Towns of Windsor and Alys Beach in Florida; and custom homes in Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Coral Gables and Miami, Florida; as well as restoration projects in South Florida and, Martha’s Vineyard and Boston, Massachusetts. Frank and Ana work collaboratively as partners at Martinez & Alvarez Architects; and have been the recipients of the Addison Mizner Award from the Florida Chapter of the ICAA in 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2013.
Purchase Tickets
Lecture Series on Mediterranean Architecture
Oct 26, 2022 – Lecture: A Manual of Mediterranean Architecture for Coral Gables by Teófilo Victoria
Feb 8, 2023 – A Conversation: Traditional Architecture by Jose Gelabert Navia
Special thanks to our Lead Lecture Series Sponsor
Special Thanks To
 |  |  |
The Florida Chapter would like to thank their sponsors
Patron’s Circle Sponsors
Alonso & Associates, Inc.
Cove Construction Group
Flower Construction
Event Lead Sponsor on Interiors
Lead Lecture Series Sponsor
Henry Flagler Donors
Belt
Branca
Fairfax & Sammon
Gil Walsh Interiors
Marmotech
Shoreline Building Group
With Appreciation and Gratitude to our
Patron’s Circle Sponsors
Alonso & Associates, Inc. | Cove Construction Group | Flower Construction
Event Lead Sponsor on Interiors
Lead Lecture Series Sponsor
& Henry Flagler Donors
Belt | Branca | Fairfax & Sammons | Gil Walsh Interiors | Marmotech | Shoreline Building Group