Eduardo Elkouss, who sadly passed away in Torrevieja, Spain, on 14th June 2024, had been a very active and enthusiastic participant in the UIA Architecture for All (AfA) Work Programme since its foundation in 1999.
Eduardo was born in Argentina in 1950 and graduated as an architect from the University of Buenos Aires in 1973. He went on to complete post graduate studies in Israel, and Spain and was awarded a doctorate in architecture from the Polytechnic University in Madrid in 2004. His doctoral thesis was entitled “Towards the full integration of the disabled in the urban and natural environment”. Eduardo’s commitment to and belief in the importance of creating a fair and equitable environment for people with disabilities never waivered and he chose UIA as a vehicle by which to contribute.
For over 20 years he attended every UIA Congress no matter which corner of the globe this took him to and even when ill health prevented him from going to Copenhagen, he recorded a video message which he sent to the AfA work programme encouraging its members in their work. Whilst Eduardo had made Spain his home, with his wife Marta Coronas Planas and daughters Judith, Esther and son David, he frequently returned to Argentina, and he was central to building the Architecture for All Work Programme throughout Central and South America.
In 2007 Eduardo organised a team of architecture students from Spain to join in an international AfA student workshop in Turin prior to and during the Congress. He also served on several UIA Awards juries and gave generously of his time presenting on many topics throughout all 5 UIA regions. His last major contribution to the work of UIA was to initiate and direct its work, with Cecilia Leiva from Chile, on the development of Proposed Inclusive Design Guidelines for Architecture and Urban Planning when responding to Natural Disasters and Emergencies.
At a personal level, Eduardo was a loving husband, a thoughtful colleague, a caring, kind and most generous individual. To his wife and family, we offer our deepest condolences. We will greatly miss his unassuming nature, his kindness and friendship. We thank him for all that he brought to the creation of more humane environments through architecture.