Architectural Heritage Conservation. Saving a House
Bickenbach Country House.
Sdenka Fuentes
Society of Historical Studies, Heritage and Restoration SEHIPRE
School of Architects of Cochabamba. BOLIVIA.
THE BICKENBACH COUNTRY- HOUSE
Cultural Heritage of Cochabamba OM 4347/2011
The Bickenbach Country-House is located in the
Cala Cala area of the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia
in South America.
It is a built of Historical,
Architectural, Artistic, Landscape and Cultural
value. It was declared built Cultural Heritage of
Cochabamba
built
by
Municipal
Ordinance
4347/2011 in November 2011, considered at risk
of becoming demolished; surrounding neighbors
immediately alerted the situation by arranging a
defense Committee of the Bickenbach CountryHouse
(CODECABI).
Consequently,
councilwoman, Arq. Maria Isabel Caero initiates
Bickenbach Country House.Mrs. and Mr. Bickenbach Photo:
Photo:Rodolfo Torrico Zamudio.
an architectural defense claim requested by
neighbors asking for the support of the School of
Architects of Cochabamba who through the
assistance of their Heritage and Restoration
Historical Studies Society (SEHIPRE), a society
specialized
in
the
area
of
Conservation,
Restoration, Defense and Cultural Management
decided to join the property defense claim along
with the support of Architect and lawyer Henry
Ledezma starting an arduous and overwhelming
institutional
defense
in
order
to
achieve
expropriation of property by the Mayor and its
Bickenbach Country House today.
Photo:Sdenka Fuentes
speed recovery for cultural use for the benefit of
the city of Cochabamba.
Bolivia book with 150 pictures of Robert
Gerstamnn, international
photographer. Paris 1928.
Bickenbach Country House and gardens. Photo Robert Gerstamnn
1927 aprox.
THE BICKENBACH COUNTRY-HOUSE VALUES
Historical Value:
The Bickenbach Country-House's Historical value, is given first because it is located in Cala Cala zone
where it used to be the countryside of Cochabamba city , defined as a recreational countryside and
productive land, a place where city limits were established. This is one of the reasons why country-houses
were located in this area including the Bickenbach Country-House, using the term country-house as a house
in the country for recreational activities. The entrance to the property was through Huallparrimachi Street
where once the railroad tracks went through.
The country house belonged to the Bickenbach German Family - Mr. Ernesto Bickenbach - Beatriz
Argandoña Bickenbach, who was the Glorieta Palace of Sucre’s city Princes niece. The Bickenbach family
owned a building located in the East Sidewalk of the September 14th Square. Mr. Bickenbach owned the
Bickenbach Import Company.
Bickenbach Country House
Droawing: Arturo Cogollo 1995.
Architectural Value:
The Bickenbach Country-House is a mansion type property with spectacular gardens throughout the entrance. Its
construction denotes the Neo Mudéjar style with pointed horseshoe arches is reminiscent of Moorish and neoRenaissance balustrade while representing a Golden Age in the history of Cochabamba. The property depicts a
hierarchical entrance, perimeter arches, side hallways, an inner courtyard and interior gallery, a lookout tower and
tiled floors decorated with designs. One can say with almost complete certainty that it was designed and built by the
Catalan architect, Miguel Tapias, who also designed and built many significant buildings in Cochabamba, such as the
former Slaughterhouse, the School of Medicine, our current headquarters of the Association of Architects, the Santa
Clara Convent and last but not least the Bickenbach Country-House located at the September 14th Square known
today as the “Bata House.”
Artistic Value:
Determined by its architectural style and current decoration,
the property shows in both the gardens as well as the gate,
both outside the building and the entire infrastructure, and
inside the building, the elaborate work of preparing the
balusters, finials, horseshoe arches which have also acquired
significance viewed from the spatiotemporal context of the
city and the country. This type of construction must have had
received the merit of many artisans who skillfully dedicated
their talent on each of the balusters, finials, columns and
arches in order to complete the artwork.
Bickenbach Country House 1995.
Photo: Arturo Cogollo.
Bickenbach Country House and gardens
Photo:Rodolfo Torrico Zamudio 1928 aprox.
Landscape Value of the Historical Garden:
The Bickenbach Country-House counts with ample gardens from which one is able to appreciate the
authentic corridors design and trails intertwined with rich vegetation.
In fact, ample evidence
indicates that six gardeners worked on the gardens’ maintenance and the floriculture expert who
worked at the Bickenbach Country-House, also worked in the Portales Palace gardens, building that
belonged to Simon I. Patiño, owner of stain mines and one of the richest men of Bolivia. Today, the
Bickenbach Country-House has a variety of orange and palm tree species - characteristic of Moorish
gardens, indicating that the gardens were designed in accordance with the unique characteristics of
the property, turning it into a harmonious architectural heritage. The Florence International Charter of
1981 adopted by ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites) states in Article 1 that "A
historical garden is an architectural and horticultural composition that from the history or art’s point
of view, it has a public interest." Consequently, it is considered a monument. Thus, Article 7 states
that: "Whether or not attached to a building, forming an inseparable complement to the historic
garden, it cannot be separated from its own urban or rural environment, whether artificial or
natural," clearly implying that the Historic Garden cannot be separated from the property which
accompanies it.
Bickenbach Country House backyard.
Drawing: Arturo Cogollo 1995.
Cultural Value:
Everything that man does is considered culture as well as the factors used for the implementation of social
identities starting from the past. In this case, the Bickenbach Country-House denotes a time in history
where foreigners established their place of residence in Cochabamba city in Bolivia, building architectural
designs which required the art and creativity of an architect, builder and many craftsmen and gardeners,
who participated in the artistic work implementation where today it must be recovered for the benefit of
future generations for cultural use being a legacy of our ancestors and our Heritage.
Unique Value:
So far, no other property containing the same
architectural features has been found.
It’s
noteworthy that the Bickenbach Country-House
shows a notorious neo Moorish style which has its
origins in Spain. This style is not native to our
country, but it exists and is evident in our city as
well as our country, giving it a unique value, since
Bickenbach Country House`furniture.1995.
Photo: Arturo Cogollo 1995.
it would virtually be unique in Cochabamba.
Details of furniture and arches.Bickenbach Country House.
Drawing: Arturo Cogollo 1995.
Use Value:
This term refers to the benefit that society will obtain in the future when the property is recovered,
restored and it becomes a cultural Space domain where art exhibitions, concerts, lectures, discussions and
many other cultural activities will take place involving the assistance of adults, youth and children of our
city and throughout the country.
CODECABI
Committee of the Bickenbach CountryHouse (CODECABI).
Today is still
working for the saveguard of Bickenbach
Country House.
CODECABI and School of Architects.
Committee of the Bickenbach Country-House CODECABI (activities).