The Offices’ Urban Planning

The arrival of thousands of people to the Atacama Desert highlighted the need for urban development planning at the saltpeter offices, paving the way to a region-wide transformation during the first half of the 20th century. While Santa Laura’s urban installations have been mostly dismantled, the remains of Humberstone’s old town display the “Pampa” way of living and the infrastructure that made it possible: a regular grid pattern, living quarters that respond noticeably to a set hierarchy in the labour force, marital status and family and public buildings.
Humberstone was built in stages, which are visible from the viewpoint of the materials used as well as the architectural styles. For example, whilst the houses with their simple urban designs respond to the concept of company-town, the Administration House and Theatre – with their Georgian and Art Deco styles, respectively – evoke a sharp improvement in the quality of life and resemblance to architecture in other latitudes.