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Lisbon: Between Modernism and Brutalism - Urban Ensemble Vává: 1950-1953


Urban Ensemble Vává Avenidas de Roma e dos Estados Unidos da América, Alvalade - Lisbon - Portugal. Architects: Joaquim Bento de Almeida, Filipe Figueiredo & José Segurado



In 1952, Filipe Figueiredo and José Segurado designed the intersection of the two main avenues in the Alvalade district with 4 large blocks of 13 floors, arranged perpendicularly and contrasting with the shape of the square that was foreseen in the plan.


The functional program also indicated a typical "Housing Unit" solution: interior galleries, minimal housing, duplexes, usable terraces. The seventh floor, located at the central level of the building, was intended as a separating layer, marking the commercial, office and service floors. In the execution, however, they have been transformed into a traditional residential program, whereby the central service floor has been omitted and the trade has been moved to the ground floor.



The lively expression, through the constricted separation layers between the two volumes, has been retained. Partly due to the lively magenta color, the variety of materials and textures and the emphasis of the sculptural design via balconies, which pops up from the facade like boxes.



The name "Avenida de Roma" dates back to December 27, 1930, at a time when the Estado Novo was trying to confirm its international status, with the help of the wide and monumental avenues of the Areeiro plan (from 1938 by urbanist Faria da Costa). 


The designation refers to an attempt at international validation of the Estado Novo, as evidenced by the toponyms of other avenues in the area, such as the Avenida dos Estados Unidos da América or the Avenida de Paris en Madrid (which were inaugurated in the presence of their ambassadors, as can be seen from the plaques that still exist).


Today, the architectural quality of the buildings is once again being valued, with some of the best works by prestigious architects such as Cassiano Branco (author of the beautiful neo-traditionalist tower), Joaquim Bento de Almeida, José de Lima Branco, Licínio Cruz, Formosinho Sanchez, Filipe Figueiredo or José Segurado.


With thanks to DOCOMOMO /Ana Tostões e.o. 

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