Escuela Domingo Santa María, Educational building in Iquique, Chile.
Escuela Domingo Santa María is a school building in Iquique featuring art deco design with wooden structural elements typical of northern Chilean construction. The building occupies space on Zegers Street and displays the regional construction methods used in the area.
The building was first erected in 1883 but faced a major setback when fire damaged it in 1928. Reconstruction work in 1936 gave the school its current structure and design.
The school has shaped education in the area for many years and remains central to the community. It reflects how local traditions and daily routines have been part of school life throughout the region.
The school can be viewed from the exterior and provides a good look at regional architecture from the period. Contacting the administration beforehand is recommended if you want to learn more or request interior access.
The structure serves as a tangible record of the saltpeter era and preserves design choices that mirror the economic flourishing of that period. Visitors often miss how the wooden details and construction solutions are directly tied to materials and craftsmanship from that time.
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