Belgian and European influences
With the coming of the l9th century, the industrial revolution pushed back the frontiers of knowledge, of the management of technology, and overturned the established order. Metal, a highly technological material, was to leave the domain of the blacksmith where it had stagnated for centuries. It would acquire its pedigree and launch itself on the conquest of world markets.
“Les Forges d’Aiseau”
During this period, in 1863, the Danly brothers acquired the old metal works of Aiseau near Charleroi in Belgium.
In 1885 Danly received a patent, number 69372, for the construction of sheet metal buildings. It was a simple and clever system for prefabricated construction in stamp steel sheet. After establishing the patent, he founded the “Forges d’Aiseaux” company.
The “Danly” system
The same patent would be improved in 1887 and would then be the beginning of the patented Danly System. This was a special double layer construction system in galvanized iron sheet with an interior lining in wood or any other cheap material, even plaster.
The originality of the system was based on the absence of supports. For their rigidity, the walls depended on the stamping of the prefabricated sections. This type of construction was suitable for earthquakes prone countries as well as for hot countries, since the double layer permitted both ventilation and insulation.(...)
Central American economic expansion
In the same period, the Central American countries were enjoying an era of great economic development based on coffee growing. Costa Rica was at the centre of this prosperity, developing grand ideas and projects. The country’s eyes turned toward Europe. Imported specialized workers were not enough to fulfill an ever growing demand. The state aimed at investing, turn key systems and rapid construction were required. Delegates were sent for information to international fairs and thus, after the Universal Exposition in Paris, the San Jose School was ordered form the Forges d’Aiseaux. The deal was finalized and the ships could disembark their heavy loads of contemporary technology in the Costa Rican harbors.
An enormous success
Given the simplicity of the assembly system, which permitted erection by any inexperienced worker without more than a drawing, and its resistance to earthquakes — added to the cultural aura of metal in that period — this kind of construction became an enormous success.
Other European countries would also participate in the grand developments in Costa Rica.
This is the story we will discover in reading this book: the tale of the legacy of a great era in this country and of its special bond with Belgium for more than a century.
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| Metallic house in Guadalupe | Fountain, Agonía Church in Alajuela |
La Arquitectura Metálica en Costa Rica, Fubelco Editorial de la Universidad Nacional Costa Rica 1996,150 pages - US$ 15,oo. The book is in Spanish and English with an appendix in French. Click here to buy the book.
The Metallic Building
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This building was constructed between 1892 and 1896 and designed by the architect, Charles Thirion, using materials fabricated by the company Forges de Aiseau in Verviers, Belgium.
It was designed to house two educational institutions: The Girls’ School and the Boys’ School . Although they appear to be one building, the interior contains two patios separated by a large meeting hall that can be used by both schools.
The National Theater
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The Theatre was built between 1890 and 1897 with the idea of creating an appropriate setting in San José to present the artistic events that were coming to the country. With this in mind, the State has invested a great deal from the moment construction began until today. In the beginning, the work was financed by taxes on coffee export. However, shortly after, financing was switched to taxes on imports to the country.
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