Born in Havana, Cuba in 1924, Carlos Joseph Alvaré moved to Philadelphia in 1933. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Yale University in 1947. Oscar Niemeyer served as Alvaré’s senior thesis advisor, and his final project was judged by master architect, Le Corbusier. Working under the tutelage of Louis Kahn from 1947-1951 in Philadelphia, Alvaré established himself as an architect. In 1951, he relocated to Paris, France to accept a position at the firm of architect Eugene Beaudouin.

After returning to Philadelphia in 1953, he earned a Masters of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and worked under Edmund Bacon at the Philadelphia Planning Commission. In 1957, he co-founded the architectural firm Harkins & Alvaré and was awarded “Best Design” by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the Bellarmine Classroom Building at St. Joseph’s College, Philadelphia in 1961. From 1968-1983, he distinguished himself as Head of Design with Vitetta & Associates / Day & Zimmermann, Philadelphia, established the School of Architecture at Lehigh University where he was a tenured professor and was awarded a Master of Architecture from Yale University based on his body of work. Alvaré served as a Directeur of the Societé de Bienfaisance de Philadelphie and was a member of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. In addition to his work as an architect, Carlos Joseph Alvaré was a talented painter and sculptor.