Alberto Alfonso


Alberto Alfonso AIA is a founding principal and president of Alfonso Architects, an architecture firm located in Ybor City, Florida.
Born in Cuba, Alfonso was educated at the University of Florida where he received his M.A. He founded Alfonso Architects, Inc. with his brother Carlos and partner Angel del Monte.
Alfonso's interest in modernist architecture developed at an early age as he was raised in the house of an architect: his father Carlos E. Alfonso, Sr. Alfonso, Sr. began his career in Havana, Cuba and left the country with his family in 1960 to begin a practice in Tampa, Florida.
Alberto Alfonso received the 1987 Eduardo Garcia Award from the Florida Central chapter of The American Institute of Architects as well as firm of the year in 2003 and 2007. Recent projects recognized by the State of Florida AIA Design Awards program include design work for Tampa International Airport Airside C, Nielsen Media Research Global Technology Center, University of South Florida College of Medicine Center for Advanced Healthcare Frank and Carol Morsani Center, the University of South Florida Medical Office Building, Mission of St. Mary Chapel, the University of South Florida School of Psychology building, The Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center and the Tampa Covenant Church.
The University of South Florida Polytechnic has named Alfonso as executive in residence and interim program development director for architecture and design. 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 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. The bachelor's program in architecture and design at USF Polytechnic is part of the school'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.
Alfonso was one of four architects included in the book Four Florida Moderns by Saxon Henry. It includes an analysis of his work by the late New York architect, Charles Gwathmey. Alfonso is also included in 100 Florida Architects and Interior Designers edited by Damir Sinovcic.
Alfonso is an exhibiting painter and has been a featured artist at The Tuscan Sun Festival 2010 and 2011 in Cortona, Italy. In December 2010 Alfonso's paintings were exhibited at The Morean Arts Center, in a collaborative exhibition titled “Painting the Poem, Poeming the Painting.” His other works, including a concrete etching and sculptured metal panels, can be found in the Nielsen Media Global Technology Center, the Mission of St. Mary Chapel, Carmel Café, and Tampa Covenant Church.

Selected architectural works