Bolivian architecture called cholets are opulent multi-floor structures in El Alto city built by the new Aymara bourgeoisie to display their wealth. Cholets have shops, sports courts, ballrooms, and the house at the top floor. Architect Freddy Mamani designed cholets to be inspired by ancient Tiahuanaco ruins and traditional Bolivian textile colors, representing the identity and culture of historically submissive indigenous towns.

1. If all of the world’s cultural heritage (sports, music,
fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..)
was contained in a time capsule, what would you
include to demonstrate the legacy of your
country?
Cholets, bolivian new architecture.

2. Icon of the
Aymara
bourgeoisie
This opulent infrastructures are
located at El Alto city, where “new
rich” people are building their
home to show their wealth.
The word “cholet” mixes the words
cholo (a word used to denominate
the mestizo population) and chalet.

3. Their home is at
the top of the
Castle
A cholet has 6 to 7 floors with
shops, sport courts, a ballroom
and at the top is the house
(literally).

4. Inspired in the
“cosmovision
andina”
Freddy Mamani the creator of
this “worldwide importance
architecture”, was inspired by
the designs found at the
Tiahuanaco ruins and by the
intense colors of the traditional
textiles.

5. The
representation of
submissive towns
This architectural representation
rescues an honored and satisfied
identity of the submissive and
oppressed towns.