Alberto Alfonso Appointed to Lead Architecture and Design at Univ of South Florida

TAMPA -- The University of South Florida Polytechnic has named Alberto Alfonso, AIA as executive in residence and interim program development director for architecture and design. Alfonso is a founding principal and president of Alfonso Architects Inc. of Tampa, Florida. In his USF role, Alfonso’s responsibilities will include developing the curriculum for the undergraduate program in architecture and design, conducting national and international searches for new incoming facility positions, planning for a study abroad program in France centered on the work of the late master architect Le Corbusier, and developing national and international relationships with other Polytechnic programs.

Alfonso is working in partnership with Santiago Calatrava on designing the new campus for USF Polytechnic in Lakeland, Florida. Tentatively scheduled to begin in 2013, the bachelor’s program in architecture and design is part of USF Polytechnic’s strategic plan to expand its programs as it prepares for the opening of its new campus. Alfonso's appointment runs from April 15, 2011, to June 30, 2015.

Cuban born, Alfonso was educated at The University of Florida where he received his M.A. in 1983. With his brother Carlos and partner Angel del Monte, Alfonso Architects, Inc. was founded in 1988. Alfonso’s love of architecture developed at an early age as he was raised in the house of an architect: his father Carlos E. Alfonso, Sr.  Carlos Alfonso, Sr. began his career in Havana, Cuba and fled the country with his family in 1960 to begin a successful practice in Tampa, Florida.

Alfonso received the prestigious American Institute of Architects State of Florida 2008 Design Honor Award. This award is given to an individual architect, who has, by the high quality and originality of one’s design and body of work over a period of 10 or more years, advanced the cause and public value of good architecture in the state of Florida, and, by one’s leadership, has provided an inspiration to colleagues. Alfonso also received the 1987 Eduardo Garcia Award from the Florida Central Chapter of The American Institute of Architects. This award is given to the top architectural designer in the six county Central Florida area and is based on a submitted body of work.

Alfonso designed the Chihuly Collection, which opened in July 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 10,000 sq. ft. installation marks the first time glass artist Dale Chihuly has collaborated with an architect on a permanent exhibition of his work.

Alberto Alfonso is also an accomplished painter and will be a featured artist for the second time at the 2011 Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy.  His paintings can be found in the Nielsen Media Global Technology Center, the Mission of St. Mary Chapel and Carmel Café. In December 2010 Alberto Alfonso’s paintings were featured at The Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL in a collaborative exhibition titled “Painting the Poem, Poeming the Painting.”