Aliança
CAFE ALIANCA Rua Dom Francisco Gomes 71st step of the Tour is not a modernist building. But it is even better : this place is the mother of the South Modern mouvement.Café Aliança is one of the oldest café in town. One of the unique Parisian style Café of Faro. It is at the counter of this café that was secretly born South Modern movement. The leaders of the movement made of architects, city hall executives but also Church representants used to meet here almost every day from early 1950’s to create from zero Faro’s modern achitecture.Using Architecture as a contestation tool of the political system.NEED A CAFE TO START ?Enter Aliança, enjoy the authentic atmosphere of the cafe and have a drink before you go! The place is also a great brewery, so you can also enjoy a good fresh beer with some snacks …
Casa Verde
CASA VERDERua D. Francisco Gomes 6Built in 1920. One of the oldest shops in town. It has always been this vintage fabric shop. An iconic Art Deco building of Faro.Enjoy the façade still in excellent conservation conditions.The inside boutique is also quite intact.The mid century atmosphere is still totally present.From the original construction materials, to the furniture, CASA VERDE is pure Art Deco !SUPPORT LOCAL SHOPS !A good way to support local business and to keep this place as it is is to shop there.How about buying an item as a souvenir ?
Millenium Bank
MILLENIUM BANK MILLENIUM Bank linked to Art Deco buildings of old town.You can check here at Millenium bank, some of Art Deco linked characteristics : flat roof, rounded corner, narrow windows, a unique combination of horizontal and vertical lines and geometrical minimalist decoration.NOVO Banco has a different line.
Novo Bank - 1950's - Architect João de Barros Vasconcelos Esteves
NOVO BANCO Rua D. Francisco Gomes 25Contemporary civil architecture for a bank branch. Architectural composition characterized by features of the trend that has become internationally known since the 1950s as 'brutalist architecture', the main features of which are: the geometry of clear lines and large proportions, sometimes with an abstract profile and a superhuman scale; the repeated use of structural materials without coating (concrete 'brut', wood, stone) in large modules. International references for this trend are, for example, the works of the British Alison and Peter Smithson and Denys Lasdun or the Italian collective B.B.P.R.Architect João de Barros Vasconcelos Esteves (1924 -2014)
The Modernist Hotel
THE MODERNISTRua D. Francisco Gomes 27Built in late 1974. Was formerly the office of a regional shipping company. A good example of South Modern architecture.The building has recently been totally restored but kept its whole modernist personality. From the roof top to the geometric azuleijos integrated in the concrete facade.ARCHITECTURE TIP :* Windows is a good way to check differences between Art Deco and South Modernism. While Art deco have narrow windows, South Modern is a streamlined architecture with large banded openings and windows.* South Modern façade have smooth stone and azuleijos surfaces when Art Deco is more pastel concrete.
Chelsea Café Building
CHELSEA café buildingRua 1 de dezembro 5Built in 1974. Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)Modernist building made of concrete, Red & White azulejos with flat roof, geometric shapes.MGdC is one of the founders of South Modern Movement and probably the largest developper of the movement in Faro. He built about 400 buildings in his whole career. His footprint is everywhere in the city.ABOUT MGdC ARCHITECT This building is from the last part of the arquitect career, at a moment he took distances with modernism standards and had some personal interpretations. Ex: he used aluminium in the facade which leaded to controverses among the movement and population.FOOD TIP : Chelsea Ice creams are amazing, it is worth a stop !
Rua do CASTILHO
Rua do CastilhoAll the right side of the streetSeveral Modern Architects built this street and in the area along the 1960 decade.Enjoy the singular personality of each building.Which one would you prefer ?In what can each building beconsidered south modern ?Check it out …
Rua do CASTILHO (right side of the street)
Rua do CastilhoAll the right side of the streetSeveral Modern Architects built this street and in the area along the 1960 decade.Enjoy the singular personality of each building.Which one would you prefer ?In what can each building beconsidered south modern ?Check it out …
NOGUEIRA Building
NOGUEIRA building (Mango Shop)Rua de Santo Antonio 68Built in 1966. Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC). South Modernist.6 floors building made of shops at street level and offices in upper levels. This construction is an example of the new generation of large offices buildings spead accross europe and the USA in the 1960 and 1970’s.The use of pilotis visible at street level gives a South American touch. MGdC created in the facade some decorative sun breaks in aluminium which was quite unusual at that time.ABOUT MGC ARCHITECTOne of the most recurrent shape of MGdC buildings is the use of asymetric alignement rectangles. Find them out in the building !
EDIFICIO SOL
Edificio SOLRua de Portugal 2Built in 1965. South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)7 floors residencial building. You can enter the building till the hair salon level (floor 1) for a hair cut or just to enjoy the constructions details ! (stairs, lights, ironworks, …) According to the architect the pillar solution on ground floor, gave the structure a “plastic expression that enhances its grandiosity”ABOUT MGdC ARCHITECTMGdC used to create a singular signature on each building using a tailored made tile. You can not find that tile anywhere else. They are just unique. The one used in this bulding are very artistics.ARCHITECTURE TIP7 floors residencial building. Enter the building till the hair salon level (floor 1) for a hair cut and enjoy the constructions details ! (stairs, lights, ironworks, …) According to the architect the pillar solution on ground floor, gave the structure a “plastic expression that enhances its grandiosity”Art Print: https://shop.studiosanderpatelski.nl
MARGARIDA Gelataria
MARGARIDA Geladaria Rua de Santo Antonio 95Café, snacks, ice cream stopEnjoy a break at this vintage café.At the ground floor of a modernist Building from MGdC too.The snack design is refreshing and still looks 70’s. The greenmint countertop is cute.They serve drinks, snacks, dishes of the day and wonderful home made ice creams.Bom apetite !
TRIBUNAL DE FARO
TRIBUNAL DE FAROAvenida 5 de outubro 10Built 1960, Art Deco.Arq. Raul Rodrigues LimaMassive Art Deco building. Part of the so called Estado Novo or Portugues Suave style. Influnced by Italian fascist style or soviet modernism.You can notice the difference with South Modern: No Cobogo, tiles or pilotis here !ABOUT RAUL LIMA ARCHITECT:Arq. Raul Rodrigues Lima is one of the first portuguese modernist. He built countless buildings accross Portugal, mostly of 3 kinds : Tribunal, Cinemas and PrisonHe won in 1943 the prestigious Portuguese architecture award « Premio Valmor »
CASA BOTO
CASA BOTORua Bernardo Passos 24Built in 1952. Art Deco.Arq. Jorge de OliveiraTiny Art Deco townhouse; Perfect geometric shapes, Concrete light blue façade, horizontal and vertical steamless band decoration, Narrow windows. Original wood doors on ground floor. Unfortunately the original chequer-pattern that you can see in the Architect drawing have disappeared.ARCHITECTURE TIP :Several concepts have been introduced here such as an uninterrupted frame building, multilevel frames and cornices, a drawer-like central balcony, and a deeply excavated ground floor. Note that this building has no reference to Algarve traditions.
Quarteirao branco 2
Quarteirao Branco (Millenium Bank)Intersection Rua Alameda // Av. 5 outubroBuilt in 1987. South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)This building is more than a condo. It is a block of the avenue, a piece of the city. It is the largest Arquitect construction in his whole career and also one his last one before he died. Made of 3 elements. Offices in the central one and residencial in the 2 other.The terraces have an unsusual shell shape filled with exotic plants.The large grey pilotis and black and white geometric tiles gives a latinamerican touch.
Quarteirao Branco 1
Quarteirao Branco (Millenium Bank)Intersection Rua Alameda // Av. 5 outubroBuilt in 1987. South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)This building is more than a condo. It is a block of the avenue, a piece of the city. It is the largest Arquitect construction in his whole career and also one his last one before he died. Made of 3 elements. Offices in the central one and residencial in the 2 other.The terraces have an unsusual shell shape filled with exotic plants.The large grey pilotis and black and white geometric tiles gives a latinamerican touch.
Edificio TRIDENTE
Edificio TRIDENTE (BPI Bank)Avenida 5 de outubro 19Built in 1979 . South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)An Icon of Faro skyline. One of the largest Architect Construction in Faro after Quarteirao Branco. Originally a Multimodal building with family apartments, shops, a cinema, a garden and a shopping center. Tridente is an example of a serie of similar midcentury large buildings built accross Europe and the USA in the 1960’s and 1970’s. At that time each city wanted its own.And Faro did it here !MUST DO : Enter the BPI Bank and enjoy its unique and original 1970’s atmosphere. The furniture, materials, design, are almost intact.
BLUE TROPICAL
BLUE TROPICAL BuildingAvenida 5 de outubro 46An other Modernist Icon of Faro skyline.The blue tropical concrete façade and the endless COBOGO (breezeblocks) wall gives a latinamerican taste.Building made for a wealthy emigrant from Venezuela back in Faro, who wanted to remind that south american country.One of the city’s largest residencial building in the early 1970’s.GOOD TO KNOW : Compared to Sao Paulo and its approx. 165 000 portuguese comunity in 1950’s, Venezuela was a smaller spot. But a large one in terms of oportunities. With a significant Algarvian comunity. The country oil extraction boom revenues allowed large construction and infrastructure projects. That is how Venezuela became at avant-garde of modern architecture. And some emigrated Algarvians working in construction became pionners.
POLICE CHECK POINT
POLICE CHECK POINTLargo Manuel Teixeira GuedesBuilt in 1930. Art Deco.Arq. unknownArt Deco Modernist tiny construction : Rounded corner, yellow pastel concrete, narrow window and horizontal band ornement. Was formerly a Police & trafic check point.GOOD TO KNOW :Was a few years ago used as a café. Unused now. There is another similar one located at the entrance of the City also used in the past as a traffic check point. (Praça Largo de Camoes)
PEREIRA HOUSE
PEREIRA HouseRua Reitor Teixeira Guedes 26Built in 1957. Art Deco.Arq. Apolonia CorreiaThe Arquitect created here an elegant and sobre villa. A conventional volume with singular characteristics such as trapezoidal / curved profile balconies, frames around openings, elaborate parapetsGOOD TO KNOW :Arq Apolonia Correia has later been influenced in his projects by MGdC. He for example started using skidded volumes, ceramic grids, or box-like loggias to enhance the street elevation.
AFONSO HOUSE
AFONSO HouseRua Reitor Teixeira Guedes 65Built in 1960. South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)Family house with blue vertical lines.Arq. and writer Ricardo Agarez Said about this house it has « whitewashed vertical planes obeying the characteristics of Algarvian buildings, of simplicity and sobriety, and the predominance of white surfaces. »GOOD TO KNOW :This House was ordered by Mr Afonso, emigrant from latinamerica returning his native city of Faro. Wanted a Modern architecture House for his family.
CASA GAGO
CASA GAGORua Humberto Delgado 17Built in 1955. South Modernist.Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC)Building ordered by Alfredo Gago Rosa, former wealthy emigrant from Venezuela. He wanted to invest in real estate and started with a special house for his family. A house with American vibes, tropical, inovative and different from what existed in Faro. MGdC was only 34 years old and few experienced but he was chosen for this ambitious project. It became one of his iconic building in Faro.GOOD TO KNOW :MGdC (skills) and Gago (vision) combination was terrific. This house looks very aerian. Thanks to the use of pilotis that enhanced the elevation. But also the flat roof with oriented canope.The building has a kind of second skin made of Cobogos and frames creating loggias, to protect the inside from the strong light and sun.Art Print: https://shop.studiosanderpatelski.nlTo see the whole episode in Portuguese click on: www.rtp.pt/play/p11619/e723201/visita-guiadaand go to Ep.15
MENDONCA BUILDING
Praça CORONEL PIRES VIEGAS, # 6/7 and #11Arq. Jorge de OLIVEIRA. Art Deco.2 simular buildings. At 6-7 CONTREIRAS BUILDING (1955)At 11 MENDONCA and PEREIRA BUILDING (1954)You can notice the same conventional building volumes, with pared-down walls and well defined openings, as he used to do in former projects. But he added here more contemporan features such as Boxed Loggias, concrete canopies, slanted rooflines or even screen walls perforated with square shapes.GOOD TO KNOW :Jorge de Oliveira and Manuel Gomes da Costa were 2 major Modernist architects, with at the beginning of their carrer 2 singular styles. But MGdC soon started influencing Jorge Oliveira in his design.The contemporan touch of those 2 buildings are a good illustration of MGdC influence (loggias, canopies, screen wals, …)
CONTREIRAS BUILDING
Praça CORONEL PIRES VIEGAS, # 6/7 and #11Arq. Jorge de OLIVEIRA. Art Deco.2 simular buildings. At 6-7 CONTREIRAS BUILDING (1955)At 11 MENDONCA and PEREIRA BUILDING (1954)You can notice the same conventional building volumes, with pared-down walls and well defined openings, as he used to do in former projects. But he added here more contemporan features such as Boxed Loggias, concrete canopies, slanted rooflines or even screen walls perforated with square shapes.GOOD TO KNOW :Jorge de Oliveira and Manuel Gomes da Costa were 2 major Modernist architects, with at the beginning of their carrer 2 singular styles. But MGdC soon started influencing Jorge Oliveira in his design.The contemporan touch of those 2 buildings are a good illustration of MGdC influence (loggias, canopies, screen wals, …)
FARO MARKET
FARO MARKETLargo Francisco Sa CarneiroArq Jorge de Oliveira. 1948.Has unfortunately been restructured about 10 years ago and lost part of its Modern style. But there are at least 4 other reasons to stop by :* Stop for a snack or Café at vintage GAGO café.* Enjoy the best organic Café of Faro at Lote 57* Have lunch at PALHACO bistro* Or enjoy fresh local products (pastries, ham, cheese, fruits …)
RUA ATAIDE DE OLIVEIRA
South Modern Residencial AreaRua dos Bombeiros PortuguesesRua Emiliano CostaRua Ataide de OliveiraRua Jeronimo Osorio Rua Jose Joaquim de MouraArea almost 100% South Modern. Built in 1950’s.Buildings still occupied and in good conditions.Obviously all the local modernist architects have been involved. Including MGdC, Jorge de Oliveira.Most of buildings still have the original doors, check those out !GOOD TO KNOW :Those streets are part of the ambicious 1945 development town plan of Faro directed by architect Joao Aguiar. Streets made of residential area with a predominance of green spaces and Economic family houses, which are good examples of the South Modern Movement.
RUA EMILIANO COSTA
South Modern Residencial AreaRua dos Bombeiros PortuguesesRua Emiliano CostaRua Ataide de OliveiraRua Jeronimo Osorio Rua Jose Joaquim de MouraArea almost 100% South Modern. Built in 1950’s.Buildings still occupied and in good conditions.Obviously all the local modernist architects have been involved. Including MGdC, Jorge de Oliveira.Most of buildings still have the original doors, check those out !GOOD TO KNOW :Those streets are part of the ambicious 1945 development town plan of Faro directed by architect Joao Aguiar. Streets made of residential area with a predominance of green spaces and Economic family houses, which are good examples of the South Modern Movement.
RUA JERONIMO OSORIO
South Modern Residencial AreaRua dos Bombeiros PortuguesesRua Emiliano CostaRua Ataide de OliveiraRua Jeronimo Osorio Rua Jose Joaquim de MouraArea almost 100% South Modern. Built in 1950’s.Buildings still occupied and in good conditions.Obviously all the local modernist architects have been involved. Including MGdC, Jorge de Oliveira.Most of buildings still have the original doors, check those out !GOOD TO KNOW :Those streets are part of the ambicious 1945 development town plan of Faro directed by architect Joao Aguiar. Streets made of residential area with a predominance of green spaces and Economic family houses, which are good examples of the South Modern Movement.
RUA JOSE JOAQUIM DE MOURA
PATIO TOWN HOUSES Rua José Joaquim de Moura 2; 12/28Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC) 1961MGdC created the concept of Patio Town Houses. (CORREIA Houses)4 Economic town houses have been built at #12 to 28 made of 2 apartments each, with independant entrance from the street level and private or semi-private patios. A never seen before balance of comfort design and price offered to modest working classes.That model of independant town house with patio became one of MGC housing trademark that he startedspreading out accross Faro and the Algarve.GOOD TO KNOW : This project established new standards for MGdC future constructions : Large rendered surfaces stamped with reliefs or openings, opaque parapets, harmonious distribution of surfaces and openings combined with colours and scren walls in order to break the density of the buidling.In drawing : Semi Private Patio / Private patio / Opaque parapets scren walls / Independant access / Harmonious repetition of aligned openings
RUA JOSE JOAQUIM DE MOURA 2
PATIO TOWN HOUSES Rua José Joaquim de Moura 2; 12/28Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa (MGdC) 1961MGdC created the concept of Patio Town Houses. (CORREIA Houses)4 Economic town houses have been built at #12 to 28 made of 2 apartments each, with independant entrance from the street level and private or semi-private patios. A never seen before balance of comfort design and price offered to modest working classes.That model of independant town house with patio became one of MGC housing trademark that he startedspreading out accross Faro and the Algarve.GOOD TO KNOW : This project established new standards for MGdC future constructions : Large rendered surfaces stamped with reliefs or openings, opaque parapets, harmonious distribution of surfaces and openings combined with colours and scren walls in order to break the density of the buidling.In drawing : Semi Private Patio / Private patio / Opaque parapets scren walls / Independant access / Harmonious repetition of aligned openings
MGdC ATELIER & HOUSE
MGdC Atelier and HouseRua Reitor Teixeira Guedes 42/44Arq. Manuel Gomes da Costa. (MGdC) 1966.The Architect house, has been renovated and a bit transformed from its original design. Anyway we can still notice its serenity and minimalism. As Ricardo Agarez said, “He wanted here to mix the peace of a japonese garden and a minimalism inspired of Mies Van der Rohe (famous Amercian Modern Architect). The house is a combination of vertical and horizontal lines and shapes in different texture.”(wood, concrete, iron, azuleijos)GOOD TO KNOWThe house is made of 2 main volumes since MGdC wanted a clear separation between Family and work. So there is a Residencial module with 2 levels and an Office module with 2 levels
Casa Santa Zita
Praçeta Eng. Duarte Pachecohousings & crecheArq Manuel Gomes da CostaCasa Santa Zita. 19573 floors pink and white buildingGOOD TO KNOW : Mr Alberto Pessanha Viegas (in charge of public works at Faro Municipality DUF) between 1949 and 1963 helped MGdC to be accepted as a referent architect. He convinced the municipality to finance several of his projects. Starting with Casa Santa Zita and Casa de Magistrados. Dr. Brito de Mana in charge of public health and childhood at Municipality and D. Frei Francisco (Faro Bishop) were also MGdC allies into Modernism conversion of the city.
Casa dos Magistrados
Praçeta Eng. Duarte PachecoArq Manuel Gomes da CostaCasa dos magistrados 1960 (In the other corner of the praça)3 floors blue and white buildingOne of the first modernist projects ordered by Faro Municipality. To be used by public Justice workers. A confirmation of the modernism positioning of local authorities. They wanted Modernism, but sober, simple and functional.GOOD TO KNOW : Mr Alberto Pessanha Viegas (in charge of public works at Faro Municipality DUF) between 1949 and 1963 helped MGdC to be accepted as a referent architect. He convinced the municipality to finance several of his projects. Starting with Casa Santa Zita and Casa de Magistrados. Dr. Brito de Mana in charge of public health and childhood at Municipality and D. Frei Francisco (Faro Bishop) were also MGdC allies into Modernism conversion of the city.
RUA DE BERLIM
RUA DE BERLIMLuxury Villas and residencesArq Manuel Gomes da Costa (1959 / 1969)The architect built about half of the street during a decade. Check no. 13; 15; 37 & 57.Originally the Villas and buildings had flat roofs as in Modernism principles. But as the city hall refused he decided to do a 4 slopes roof instead.GOOD TO KNOW : Those buidlings were ordered essencially by Algarvian emigrants who left the region in 1920’s to Latinamerica, became wealthy and returned to Faro. Wanted to express their success and avant-garde through modernism consutructions. Mr Pinheiro Brandao who had a house at number 13 is an example.Modernism in Faro succeded also thanks to the emigrants who came back to the Algarve and wanted to push the city into the XXth century avant-garde.Poster: https://shop.studiosanderpatelski.nl
ROTUNDA
AVENIDA 5 de OUTUBROThe most Southamerican avenue of Farono. 79 and 204 : Habitaçao Colectiva.Arq M. Gomes da Costa ; 1957-1969. 2 facing buildings with similar design. Le corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer influence. Buildings ordered by M Pinheiro Brandao, MGdC best client. Former Venezuela emigrant.no. 79 Café A ROTUNDA Have a break in this vintage snackDesigned by Arq M Gomes da Costa in 1957
AVENIDA 5 DE OUTUBRO
AVENIDA 5 de OUTUBROThe most Southamerican avenue of Farono. 69 : Green Tropical. Light green concrete, white cobogo, plants, flat roof and geometric shapes
SOARES BUILDING
No. 50 : SOARES Building. Arq J de Oliveira 1954. Quite abandoned. Flat roof with canopee, cobogo, plants, concrete & steel. Reminds Franck Lloyd style (American Modernist arquitect).GOOD TO KNOW : Av. 5 de outubro has been mostly built between 1930 and 1970 by private Algarvian investors returning from overseas. Builders who developped Sao Paulo in the building boom of the 1950’s (considered Chicago of South America), important traders prospering in Venezuela or Argentina. All of them had the same vision for Faro : To build a modern architecture city with Latinamerican roots. With the assistance of Modern Algarvian Architects, that they wanted to educate to Latinamerican modern design.
JARDIM DA ALAMEDA
Jardim da Alameda Joao de DeusGreen oasis in FaroNot a modernist place, but worths a break.This park is the largest and oldest of Faro, it counts several centenar species of trees, a comunity of peacocks, a picnic area, several cafés with terrace.You can also enjoy the moorish architecture style of the Library located at the extremity of the parc (which was formerly the city slaughterhouse)Or have a break at the Library café.
