Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Architecture and Arts :: Architecture ( Integrated Master)

HISTÓRIA ARQUITECTURA PORT. MODERNA CONTEMPORÂNEA - 2025/2026

4º curricular year
Semestralidade: 2nd semester
ECTS: 2

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutor Henrique Fabião
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutor Henrique Fabião

Class type and School hours

Teórica : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

- To trace the course of Portuguese architecture in the 20th century, valuing its originality and specificity; to re-evaluate author architecture in the context of diversity, reflecting the pluralism that characterizes production throughout the century; to shape the path of students and create a situation, at the end of the course, with some impact on the specific training of them.

Specific Aims/Objectives

- Within the framework of international production, Portuguese architecture has shown a peripheral situation, some time lag and technological backwardness. It is therefore crucial to know these factors, which have been decisive in defining its specificity.

Skills to be acquired

- To be able to identify the consistency of 20th century Portuguese architecture that comes from the fact that it is sustained and built from the response to the multiple implications of programs, budgets and sites, to the wills of creators and commissioners. A true tradition of pragmatism, more decisive than cultural tradition itself.
Identify works that constitute an up-to-date synthesis of this production, pointing to a panoramic view. Master the most important themes.

Teaching Procedures

- The methodological basis is based on a periodization that defines the context in which the works were produced, analyzed in the light of the dominant typologies or programmatic themes, which allows the contents of the Unit to be defined in a structured way, far removed from the randomness of a casual choice.
Thematic and chronological essays by specialists in the various subjects are also included, providing important theoretical support.

Programme

- Between the end of the century and the 1920s: framework and reflection.
- Between 1920-40: the "Portuguese house" and the new programs. The architects Raul Lino, Ventura Terra and Marques da Silva.
- Cassiano Branco: the exception and the rule.
- A new generation of architects that emerged around 1925: Cristino da Silva, Carlos Ramos, Pardal Monteiro and Rogério de Azevedo. The new programs (1930s). The Exposição do Mundo Português: between ideological accommodation and modern experimentation. The succession generation: Keil do Amaral, Januário Godinho, Arménio Losa and Viana de Lima. Positions and oppositions.
- 1943 to 1961: The 1st Congress (1948) - the principles that emerged; the ICAT group (Lisbon); ODAM group (Porto); how Portuguese architects responded to the impact of the movements of international architecture, particularly CIAM and the crisis introduced by TEAM X; analysis of specific cases: Fernando Távora, the restlessness of a quiet man.
- 1961-1974: reorientations of modern architecture. Some premises for a new architecture: for a critical practice; the critical object; architecture and urban segregation; analysis of specific cases: Nuno Teotónio PereiraThe return to the urban; Vitor Figueiredo, the misery of the superfluous; the passion of Álvaro Siza.
- SAAL: a revolutionary stance, for which society?

Evaluation Type

- Preparation of a theoretical reflection paper, the topic of which will be chosen jointly by the lecturer and the students. Two mid-term tests will be held each semester, covering the contents studied. A course assessment test and a final examination will take place in accordance with the evaluation regulations currently in force at the University. Attendance and participation in classes will also be taken into consideration.

Teaching Resources

- The focus is 20th century architecture produced in Portugal, not just the so-called modern architecture. The universe is that of architecture extended to the city and not reduced to the object. Reflection on the desire to create safe methodologies, a situation evident in the most significant authors of recent decades. A production that affirms itself in a path with some solidity and
continuity, but which is more permeable to external influences than influencing itself.

Sustainability Objectives

- In view of the climate emergency, the loss of biodiversity and inequalities and asymmetries social, the proposed Program aims to contribute to the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education), ensuring that all students acquire the knowledge and
skills necessary to promote sustainable development; and to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), promoting attitudes of preservation, protection and conservation of all built and natural cultural heritage.

Keywords

Nationalism; Internationalism; Modern; Experimentation; Visions; Contemporaneity.

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography