Home -> Faculty and Personnel -> Faculty -> Professor Martha Kohen

Professor Martha Kohen
 Architect and Urban Planner.
Professor and Director.
School of Architecture
College of Design, Construction, and Planning
University of Florida

Professor Kohen's educational experience includes the study of architecture at the undergraduate level at the School of Architecture, Universidad de la Republica (Montevideo, Uruguay), followed by a postgraduate diploma from Cambridge University (United Kingdom).

She has been practicing architecture and urban planning in the form of teaching, research and practice for the past 30 years. Her most recent teaching experience includes serving as the Professor of 5th year Studio for the past 12 years and as the Director of Academic Cooperation Affairs for the past five years at the School of Architecture at the Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay. Professor Kohen has also received appointments as Visiting Professor in various architectural schools around the world.

Her accomplishments include (selected)

  • First Prize, the Barao de Rio Branco Square in the center of Rio de Janeiro, 1995
  • First Prize, Memorial of the isappeared Detained Citizens, City of Montevideo, 1996
  • First Prize, Headquarters of URAGUA, 2000
  • Special Mention, The Cerrillos Masterplan, Portal del Bicentenario, Santiago de Chile, 2001
  • First Prize, Landscape Architecture, Quito International Bienal 2002

Recent Work in Urban Planning

1994-97 Coordinator for Transit and Transport in the 1997 Master Plan for the City of Montevideo , as part of an agreement of cooperation between the City and the School of Architecture. Hierarchical urban structures were defined and proposals dealing with all matters related to the transport of passengers, cargo and public transport was submitted and approved.
1997   The Fenix Plan, Urban Renewal Master Plan for the “ Aguada “ neighborhood ( 50 hectares) under sponsorship of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IADB), National Mortgage Bank and the Fenix Coorporation . As Associate with BTA Architects, Inc. of Boston.
1998   Transit analysis for the Legislative Palace neighborhood, as Director of the consulting team. Commissioned by the Uruguayan Legislative Assembly, the City of Montevideo and the Financial Commission for the Rambla Sur.
1998-9. Special Bay Urban Waterfront Renewal Plan for the Capurro Park area (3.5 km. long.). Commissioned by the City of Montevideo, the Financial Commission for the Rambla Sur (Director of consulting team).
2000   Consulting association (with I.Viana, Arch.) : Guidelines for the Master Plan , City of San Carlos 2000-2010, Department of Maldonado.
A Special Plan for the Alameda Area in Santiago de Cuba (the Santiago de Compostela Competition )
2001   Los Cerrillos International Competition project Portal del Bicentenario, for the development of former Los Cerrillos Airport area 500 hectares in Central Santiago de Chile) Prize Obtained
2002   Presently developing the Special Urban Renewal Plan for El Prado area (1,000 hectares) for the City of Montevideo , as Consulting Team Director.

Recent Consulting Activities

1987-89 Regulatory Municipal Policy, commissioned by the City of Montevideo and the International Work Organization , for the planning of areas of economic development.
1988-90   Member of SEINCO Consulting , and Engineering Firm specialized in highway design, infrastructure, tourism and urban sanitation plans.
1991-92   Consulting for the Ministry of Housing for the design of urban policies in the sphere of the National Investment Fund. Large scale popular housing urban planning and new operation in housing development.
Normative guidelines for the urban center of the City of San Carlos. For the Municipality of Maldonado.
1992   “Project design: Urban Planning in the City of Montevideo Bay and Harbor” , commissioned by the Office of the Budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Italian Government.

Profesional Activities

1971-76 Arquitect and teacher in Paysandú, Uruguay. (extensive activity)
1976-84   Arquitect and consultant in Matto Grosso and Sao Paulo,Brazil. (extensive activity)
1989   Founding member, Kohen-Otero Arquitectural Studio in Montevideo.
1989-96   PPP (Price-Project-Property) Bids, a modality for promoting housing projects initiated by the National Mortgage Bank (BHU).Five projects won, 60 housing units.
1992   Recycling of the La Proa area in the Punta Carretas area of Montevideo.Commercial and office use.
1993   Medical Clinic for Dr. Pou Ferrari, recycling.
Participated, with the international engineering firmsDYOPSA/SUPRCEMENTO/SETA, for the new bridge for the Santa Lucia River. Urban planning inter phase for surroundings towns.
1994   Tourist Service Park in San Jose (31 hectares). Gas station, truck parking, restaurant, hotel and landscaping.
Participated, with HYTSA Argentina and SONDOTECNICA Brazil, in the qualifying bid for the drinking water works Master Plan for Montevideo.
Kohen House and Olivetti House, Punta Ballena, summer houses in the Atlantic Coast.
1995   Feasability study for Planning and design of “El Potrero” tourist development (21 hectares)
1996   PPP´s selected and executed , 19 housing units in San Carlos, 59 housing units in Paysandú .
1996-97   CEFIR Project, a Center of Education of Integrated Regional Development (European Union )in Montevideo. Conference rooms, landscaping , library.
1997   Cultural Center for the Ministry of Education (recycling, 2000 sq.m.)
Dodera House , Colon, Montevideo.
Baker House, El Pinar.
38 Housing units in La Paz, for Ministry of Housing.
Eurpean Documentation Center.UUEE.
1998   Development Plan for 32 hectares of urbanized land in a residential area of Montevideo Private Comission (Carrasco Norte).
IMES projet. Military Institute for Superior Studies (3600sq. Meters) for the National Military Army.
1999   OCA Enterprises (Finance and Credit BankBoston), recycling of headquarters and affiliates offices.
19 National Mortage Bank housing units in Paysandú.
Project and execution of the Higher Studies Military Institute (IMES).
Two Schools in El Pinar and Salto, Ministry of Public Education, construction system.
2000   Probst House.
OCA Enterprises , General Managment Offices (recycling and Interior Design).
Bibbo house recycling.
2001   Memorial In Rememberance of the Disapeared Detained Citizens (victims of the dictatorial regime 1973-1984).Winner of National competition and international award.
URAGUA headquarters. Renovation of Water Authority offices in Maldonado and San Carlos (1000sq.m).

Research

1970 Land Use and Built Form Studies Centre (Cambridge University), comparative analysis of the 36 English New Towns, spacial structure, data bank and planning criteria.Published.Social Science Research Council Grant. UK
1985-86   “Montevideo: Proposals for the City”, a multi-disciplinary team efford in urban conceptualization and planning. Published.
1987-88   “Residential mobility and housing decay in Montevideo” , with the Uruguayan Center for Research (CIESU), sponsored by the United Nations Development Progran and the City of Montevideo.Published.
1989-91   “Critical Analysis of the legal framework for urban planning in Uruguay” , sponsored by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and CIESU.Associate researcher.
1990   “Relevance of the Colonial urban model in conteporary Uruguay”, research financed by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and the Spanish 5th. Century Commission.
1991-92   Coordinated the Study “Normative guidelines for the Urban Center.City of San Carlos”, as an agreement between the School of Arquitecture and the Municipality of Maldonado.
1996   Caleidoscope Project (European Union), “Influence of european urban theories upon actual planning in Uruguay”. Head of Research.

Academie experience

1985-94 Assistant Professor , Sommer and Sprechmann Studio, School of Arquitecture.
1991-93   Visiting Professor, International Seminaries Architettura e Citta, Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy.
1992   Visiting Lecturer, School of Arquitecture, Rosario, Argentina.Member of the Jury, Fourth International Seminary, Napoli, Italy.
1994-98   Associate Professor, Otero Studio, School of Arquitecture.Fifth year studio master: Montevideo, the Bay Harbour the periphery.
1996: Visiting lecturer, School of Architecture. Rosario, Argentina(the suburban Coastal City).
1998   Visiting Professor, Napoli, 7th. International Seminary, with the Ministry of Public Works and Local Authorities.
Organiser of 1er. Montevideo Seminar, a two week planning charrette. With invited internacional teachers,involing local authorities, Proffesional and Academic Staff and students - 400 participants
Theme: The Bay of Montevideo.
1999   Organiser of 2º. Montevideo Seminar - 450 participants.
Theme: The Miguelete River area.
2000   Visiting lecturer, New York University, Internacional Center for Advanced Studies.
Organiser of 3er. Montevideo Seminar - 420 participants.
Theme: Montevideo Parks for the next milenium.
Organiser of Ciudad de la Costa Seminar - 120 participants.
Theme: The Coastal city.
2001   Participating lecturer, New School University, launching of the Master Program in International Affairs.
Organiser of 1st. Seminar Infraestructure and City - 450 participants.
Theme: The Highways and The City
2002   Director of CENIT (Centro de Investigación y Transferencia), Facultad de Arquitectura, Universitario de Punta del Este. (Research and Transfer Center, School of Architecturae Universitario of Punta del Este)
Organiser of 4º Montevideo Seminar, 260 participants.
Theme: The Western Area of Montevideo, a new challenge
Visiting Professor . Department of Architecture. University of Hong Kong
1998-03   Director of the Academic Cooperation Unit . Facultad de Arquitectura, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
2003   Director and Professor . School of Architecture.College of Design, Construction and Planning, University of Florida.

Prizes

1985 Innovation and Development Center, Grand Prix for Creativity, Proposals for the City of Montevideo.
1987   First prize (with Arch. M.Mañana). The Punta Carretas Jailhouse; ideas for its renewal and reuse.Given by National Olympic Committee, Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior, Uruguay.
1989   Third prize in 68 presentations (with Archs. Otero,Vigliecca).New Urban Nucleus. A complete urban plan for a New Town of 300.000 pop., in 2.000 hectares near Campinas,Brazil.
1990   First Mention (with Archs. Otero, Vigliecca).Guarapiranga Ecological Park,Sao Paulo,Brazil (400 hectares).
1994   Second prize (with Arch. Otero).Regional Research Station (for a Biosphere Conservation Program)in Rocha, Uruguay, 300 sq.m., 3 hectares.
1995   First prize (with Archs. Otero, Vigliecca). The Barao de Rio Branco Square (public park, parking and landscaping) in the center of Rio de Janeiro.
Honorable mention (with Arch. Otero). Urban Plan for the Aparicio Saravia neighborhood of Montevideo, comisioned by the Ministry of Housing. (2000 units development)
1996   First Prize AUTE .Social and S[ports facility for the National Energy workers (11 000 square m)
1998   First prize (with Arch. Otero and Agr. Dodera). Memorial for the Disappeared Detained Citizens Commisioned by the City of Montevideo and the National Committe for the Disappeared.Work completed in 2002.
2000   First Prize (by invitation). Headquarters of URAGUA, the Water Utility Company, Maldonado. Recycling, work completed.
2002   First Prize. Landscape Architecture. Quito Biennale 2002

Published Teaching and Design Projects

  • Kohen, M. & A.Conte, 1991.In : Naples Arquitecture and City. 3rd International Architectural Design Seminar.La Buona Stampa.Naples, Italy, p.34 and p.111.
  • Kohen, M. 1992.In: Naples Architecture and City. 4th International Architectural Design Seminar.Elio de Rosa editors.Member of Final Jury.
  • II Seminario Montevideo, 1999.Connectivity and Landscape in Urban Borders(The Miguelete River watershed).Montevideo, Uruguay.Martha Kohen, Organizing commitee.
  • III Seminario Montevideo,2000.Leisure Landscapes in the Metropolitan City.Montevideo, Uruguay.Martha Kohen, Academic Commitee.

Selected list of publications

  • Booth,P., A.Burrough,A.Cheeseman, M.Porzecanski (Kohen), J.Ready & I.Steen.1970. Cambridge : the evaluation of urban structures plans. Working Paper Nº 14, Land Use and Built Form Studies, Cambridge School of Arquitecture. 59 pp.
  • Kohen,M. & R.Cheeseman. 1971. Using Models for structure planning. Arquitectural Design UK, (XLI): 288-291.
  • Lindsay, W.& M. de Porzecanski (Kohen). 1972. New Towns: the data bank, its construction and organisation; New Towns : a comparative atlas. Working Papers Nos.62 and 63, Land Use and Built From Studies, Cambridge School of Arquitecture. 96 pp.
  • De Porzecanski (Kohen),M., with R.Cheesman & W.Lindsay. 1972. New Towns : the evolution of planning criteria. Working Paper nº 64, Land Use and Built From Studies, Cambridge School of Architecture. 42pp.
  • Kohen M. 1985. Aplicación del Computador en estudios de Urbanismo.Encuentro de Informática en Arquitectura. Soc. de Arquitectos del Uruguay. Montevideo, 10p.
  • Sprechmann,T.,M.Lombardi, J.Bastarrica,E. Benech, F. Bervejillo, A. Gervaz, M.Kohen, R.Otero & A.Villamil.1986. Propuestas a la Ciudad de Montevideo. Imprenta Rosegal. 207 pp.
  • Kohen, M. & others.1991. Ordenar las Ciudades,1- Encauzando e proceso urbano. ICI- Intendencia Minicipal de Montevideo. 119 pp.
  • Kohen, M.1986. Presentación.In: Jorge Wilheim, “Municipio, Democracia y Participación en San Pablo”. CIESU, 43 pp.
  • Kohen, M. 1994. Calderas Troperas. EL ARQA 10, Montevideo, pp: 78-79.
  • Kohen, M. 1996. Sobre las Influencias. In: De Las Leyes de Indias al urbanismo estratégico. Programa “Caleidoscopio”, Unión Europea. Comunidad del Sur , Montevideo, p.129-130.
  • Kohen,M. 1998. Habitat of the Urban Man and the Natural Man: the Beaches and Coastline of Montevideo. Aquapolis year III, no. II (Nº 17): 14-21
  • Kohen,M. 1999. New Urban Waterfronts: a developing process for the Southern Countries of Latin America. In : Bruttomesso,R (Editor), The Maturity of the Waterfront, Marsilio, Padova, Italy, p.93-98.
  • Kohen,M. 2001. Montevideo: City and Port Like Siamese Twins. Portus Year I, n.2,p:20-27.

Projects Reviewed in the Literature and Media

  • The Núcleo Urbano Campinas.Project, SP,Brazil. “Nucleo Finalista, Equipe H.Vigliecca”, In:Arquitectura Urbanismo,1991,p:67-69
  • The La Proa Project. In:EL ARQA 8,Montevideo,1993, pp:61-63
  • The Olivetti Colombo House. In: EL ARQA 13,Montevideo, 1995, pp:32-33.
  • The AUTE Proyect. “Geometria do lugar”.In :PROJECTO(Brazil)1995, 189: 64-65.
  • The FENIX Plan.”Fenix: postales de un Montevideo del futuro” In:Posdata Nº157, Montevideo,1997, pp: 14-21.
  • The PROBIDES Project, Second Prize.In: EL ARQA 22, Montevideo, 1997, pp. 28.
  • The AUTE Project, First Prize.In : EL ARQA 22,Montevideo 1997, pp. 32-33.
  • The Aparicio Saravia Plan.Honorario Mention. In :EL ARQA22, Montevideo 1997, p.39.
  • The MEC Project “Detrás de los umbrales”In : Arte y Diseño Nº 69, Montevideo 1998, p.56.
  • The Memorial Project. “Una resonancia del dolor”.In :Posdata Nº 241, Montevideo, 1999,p 43-47.
  • The MEC Project .In :EL ARQA 31, Montevideo, 1999, pp: 46-49.
    The Memorial Project “Otro aporte uruguayo”. In:diario “El Pais”Montevideo, Apr.17th ,1999.
  • The Memorial Project “Una memoria por la paz”. In: diario “El Pais”, Montevideo Sept. 3 , 2000.
  • The Memorial Project. “Memorial de los detenidos desaparecidos”.In: Boletin Soc. Arquitectos del Uruguay, March 2001, pp.: 30-31.
  • The Carrasco Project. “Plan Especial de Ordenamiento, Protección y Mejora del Aréa de Régimen Patrimonial de Carrasco-Punta Gorda”. In: Boletin Soc. Arquitectos del Uruguay, Sept. 2001, pp.: 30-33.
  • The Capurro Project. “Informe final de la Comisión Asesora Evaluadora”.In : Boletin Soc. de Arquitectos del Uruguay, Nov. 2001, pp. 32-33.
  • The Memorial Project. “Alta memoria”. In: Seminario “Brecha”, Montevideo Nov. 9, 2001.
  • The Memorial Project. “Recuperarán el Parque Vaz Ferreira del Cerro”. In: diario “El Pais” Montevideo Dic.6th .,2001.
  • The Santiago Project. “Urbanistas Uruguayos reconocidos en Chile”. In: diario “El Pais”, Montevideo Dic 7, 2001.
  • The Memorial Project. In: diario “La República”, Montevideo, Dec. 10th , 2001.
  • The Memorial Project. In: diario “La República”, Montevideo, Dec. 11th , 2001.
  • The Memorial Project. “Apoyo a la Comisión para la Paz en acto por memorial”.In :diario “El Observador”, Montevideo, December 11,2001.
  • The Memorial Project. “Descarnar la superficie... hasta llegar a la roca viva.”Factors Magazine, Montevideo, Dec. 2001.

Membership in Societies

  • Member of the Society for International Development (Rome, Italy), Uruguayan Chapter.
  • Member of the College of Consultants, Uruguayan Architectural Association.
  • College of Juries, Uruguayan Architectural Association (since 1995).
    National Member of the International Council of Urban Planners, 1995 -2000.Deputy Board Member in 1994.
  • Registered ( Nº 4088) as consulting specialist in Urban and Housing Development in the National Office of the Budget and in the Ministry of Public Works.
  • Member of the team of the Italian Journal “Aquapolis”.

Website
http://web.dcp.ufl.edu/mkohen/