Edificio Pires & Brito

The Modernist Weekend

The Modernist Weekend in Faro is coming up again (7/8/9 November) so it is good to tell the story about 'Edifício Pires & Brito '  a building that is not yet included in the program of The Modernist Weekend, but may be in the future. https://www.themodernistweekend.com

'Edifício Pires & Brito in Faro

Year: 1973

Category: Residential and Commercial Building

Location: Corner Rua Aboim Ascensão / Rua Frei Lourenço de Santa Maria - Faro

Architect: Manuel Gomes da Costa

Client: Correia, Pires & Guerreiro Lda

Number of floors: 12

Context and Background

The Edifício Pires & Brito was created during a period of urban expansion in Faro.The city was growing beyond its historic center, and new modern buildings were beginning to change its skyline. In this context, the Pires & Brito building became a symbol of modernization and economic optimism.

The client, Correia, Pires & Guerreiro Lda, was an influential local construction company. They wanted a building that would be both profitable and architecturally ambitious, representing their vision for the city’s future. For this reason, they hired architect Gomes da Costa, who was known for his modern but elegant designs.

The first version of the project dates back to 1969, but it was revised several times (in 1970 and 1972) before the final plan was approved in 1973.

These changes reflected a growing desire for technical precision, aesthetic balance, and functional efficiency. At the time, this was the tallest building designed by Gomes da Costa and one of the first high-rise projects in Faro. It marked a new phase in the city’s development, where architecture began to grow vertically — something quite rare in the Algarve during the early 1970s

Function and Spatial Layout

The building was designed as a mixed-use structure, combining shops, offices, and apartments — an innovative concept for its time.

• The ground floor contains shops and commercial spaces with large glass windows to create an active and lively street front.

• The first floor includes offices and several small T1 apartments (one-bedroom units).

• The upper floors are residential, with apartments of different sizes, from two to four rooms.

The apartments were designed to be bright and comfortable, taking advantage of natural light and views of the city. Most units have balconies (verandas) and large windows, allowing for good sunlight and ventilation. The orientation of the building was carefully planned: the south-facing façade receives the most sunlight, so it includes deep balconies and sunshades for protection from heat.

Inside, the building is organized around a central core with stairs and elevators, giving access to all floors. The layout shows a concern for practical living and flexible use, making it suitable for a wide range of residents — from families to professionals and singles.

Materials and Construction Techniques

The structure is made of reinforced concrete, supported by stone foundations (cyclopean bases). At street level, the façade is finished with polished granite, which gives the building a solid and refined appearance.

The windows are made of anodized aluminum, a modern material at the time, and the balcony edges are made of exposed concrete. Many elements were prefabricated, showing a shift toward industrialized building methods, typical of the 1970s.

A distinctive feature is the use of plastic sunshades and grilles, which provided protection from strong sunlight and added depth and rhythm to the façade.Because of the building’s sunny corner location, Gomes da Costa designed a play of light and shadow that made the exterior both functional and visually dynamic.

Form and Architectural Style

The building’s design balances two different scales:

• the urban scale, as a tall and visible structure in Faro’s skyline, and

• the domestic scale, with human details such as balconies, windows, and warm colors.

The façade shows a rhythmic pattern of vertical and horizontal lines, creating a modular and sculptural appearance. Originally, the exterior was painted in soft browns, ochres, and light tones, giving the building a sense of warmth, calm, and balance. Gomes da Costa aimed to combine modern architecture with the simplicity and harmony of Algarve traditions.

He described his architectural philosophy as a search for:

“Simplicity, balance, lightness, and humanity.”

His goal was to design buildings that were modern yet human, fitting naturally into their surroundings. The Edifício Pires & Brito became an example of Portuguese modernist architecture of the 1970s — functional, sculptural, and human-centered.

Significance Today

Today, the Edifício Pires & Brito remains an important landmark in Faro.It represents a moment when Portuguese architects began to experiment with new forms, materials, and urban scales, while still caring about comfort and light.

The building stands as a symbol of Faro’s transformation into a modern city, a reflection of architectural innovation and technical progress, and a key piece of the city’s cultural and architectural history.