Cristian Boza Sebastian Pinera architect dies - At 76, Cristián Boza, the architect of the controversial phrases and friend of Sebastián Piñera dies. On a professional level, Boza developed a recognized career in Chile and abroad, as “academic and responsible for emblematic projects for Santiago, among which we especially remember the Fluvial Family Park,” said the Minister of Culture.

At 76, and following a liver disease, the architect Cristián Boza Diaz died, known for designing the family's Fluvial Park, the Justice Center and the San Sebastián University.

The architect studied at the Catholic University of Chile and then completed a master's degree in Urban Design at the University of Edinburgh. In 1985 he founded the Cristián Boza & Asociados Arquitectos office, where he carried out housing projects, and public and private buildings, he was also vice president of the X Architecture Biennial (1995) and director of the XIII International Architecture Biennial Exhibition Chile (1998-1999 ).

His death was confirmed by the Minister of Culture, Consuelo Valdés through his Twitter account this morning. “We dismissed the architect Cristián Boza, who has just passed away at 76. Academic and responsible for emblematic projects for Santiago, among which we especially remember the Fluvial Park of the Family. My condolences to his family and friends, ”said the Secretary of State.

Cristian Boza Sebastian Pinera architect dies

Controversial phrases

But beyond his professional achievements, Boza was a figure who lived with the controversy. In 2012, the professional starred in a controversial resignation to the dean of San Sebastian University after his statements in the magazine Housing and Decoration of El Mercurio where he said that his students came from low social strata and were little "sophisticated" for their study program.

Overcome the episode, he also had other statements that generated a stir, such as his sayings in support of those involved in the Penta Case, with which he maintained friendly ties. "What Penta do all, who does not ask the lady for a ticket to justify expenses?", Declared in 2015 to defend Carlos Alberto Délano and Carlos Eugenio Lavín, the owners of the holding icon of the political silver scandal . "Davalos, that one that did an evil," he said on that occasion, trying to tie making a reference to President Michelle Bachelet's son and the Caval case.

Boza in his youth was a supporter of the MIR but developed a close relationship with Sebastián Piñera, to whom he provided services for the construction of his controversial house in Caburgua (the same one that was in the eye of the hurricane for his unpaid contributions). Also in his first Government he was part of the Presidential Commission dedicated to the guidelines on a State Policy of Urban Development and collaborated with the President in his project of the "navigable Mapocho".

 Recognized career

On a professional level, Boza developed a recognized career. In 2013, he won the Latin American Architecture Award at the Buenos Aires Biennial, as well as the European Award for Best Practices and the International Construction Trophy of the Global Trade Leaders Club in 2016.

Last Tuesday, January 7, he opened the exhibition "Travel and architecture drawings" at the La Sala Art Gallery, composed of drawings made by the architect throughout his life. In an interview published yesterday in the newspaper La Segunda, he referred to the fight against his illness, pointing out that "I am dedicated to continue living."