The “Third Way”: Távora’s Method in Masterwork. The Reconstruction of Porto’s old Municipal Tower, Known as ‘Casa dos 24’

Antonio Telesforo

doi:10.6092/issn.2611-0075/19803

Authors

Antonio Telesforo Architect PhD

Antonio Telesforo, born in Bari in 1973 of an Italian father and Portuguese mother, studied architecture at the IUAV in Venice and completed his studies in 2000 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Politecnico di Bari. He has always been interested in the man-territory relationship and in particular in rural architecture in the Mediterranean area. In his degree thesis on Domestic Space in Islamic Architecture, he developed a project for the redevelopment of the Arab Quarter in Jerusalem, proposing a real operational programme that, based on respect for local culture and history, and on economic criteria, outlines the necessary steps from the moment of authorisation through to the procurement of materials and self-construction. In 2000-2002, he worked in Portugal at architects’ studios in Porto and began a collaboration with Professor Giovanni Leoni and Architect Antonio Esposito, for whom he conducted research on Portuguese architecture. Thus, he participated in the collection of elements for Electa’s monographs on the Masters of Porto Távora, Siza and Souto de Moura and interviewed young architects who were very promising at the time and are now internationally known. Between 2000 and 2009 he published articles on Portuguese architecture and some of his own projects in international journals. In 2009 he obtained his PhD in Architectural Composition at the IUAV in Venice, cycle XX, with the thesis “An old tower and its reconstruction – the work of Fernando Távora and the overcoming of Modernity”. Supervisor Prof. Armando dal Fabbro, Counter-Rapporteur Prof. Daniele Vitale, Tutor Arch. Antonio Esposito, PhD Coordinator Prof. Luciano Semerani.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2611-0075/19803

Keywords:

Modernity, Fernando Távora, Third Way, Reconstruction, Casa dos 24

Abstract

The reconstruction of the old municipal tower in Porto, known as Casa dos 24, is a project by Fernando Távora that exemplifies the ‘third way’ - a balance between modern and traditional architecture. Távora’s approach proposes an organic cohabitation between new and old, emphasizing the importance of preserving local culture and history while meeting present-day needs. The design process is influenced by historical, political, and cultural conditions, reflecting Távora’s interpretation of modernity. This project serves as a significant case of modern intervention in an ancient city, offering a method still relevant for similar issues today. The context of Porto’s urban development and historical significance adds depth to the project, emphasizing its role in the city’s evolution.

This article is excerpted from the writer’s doctoral thesis: “Un’antica torre e la sua ricostruzione. L’opera di Fernando Távora ed il superamento della modernità”, author: Arch. Antonio Telesforo; Tutors: Prof. Armando Dal Fabbro, Prof. Daniele Vitale, Arch. Antonio Esposito. Coordinator of the Doctorat Dept.: Prof. Luciano Semerani. University of Architecture of Venezia, IUAV, Dottorato di Ricerca in Composizione Architettonica. Cycle XX, 2004-2007.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Coelho Thenaisie, Sofia. A Cidade em Suspenso, Projectos em torno da Sé do Porto (1934/2001). Coimbra: CUC – Centro de Cultura Urbana Contemporânea’, 2001.

Esposito Antonio and Leoni, Giovanni. Eduardo Souto de Moura. London: Phaidon, 2013.

Freiras de Sousa, Augusto. “Távora projecta reconstrutiçao da primiera Camara do Porto”, O primeiro de Janeiro, April 22, 1999.

Graça Dias, Manuel. 30 EXEMPLOS. Aqruitectura Portuguesa no Virar do sec. XX. Lisbon: Relogio d’Agua Editores, 2004.

Mendes. Manuel, ed., Porto 2001: Regresso a Baixa, consulta para a requalificaçao da Baixa Portuense. Porto: FAUP, 2000, 58.

Moura, Antonio. “Memorial portuense na Sé”, Publico, January 13, 1998.

Siza, Álvaro. “Report of the Preliminary Project for the Redevelopment of Avenida Afonso Henriques.” In Carlos Castanheira ed., As Cidades de Álvaro Siza. Lisboa: Livraria Figueirinhas, 2001.

Távora, Fernando. “O Problema da Casa Portuguesa”, Cadernos de Arquitectura, no. 1, (1947).

Távora, Fernando. “O Porto e a arquitetura moderna”, Panorama, 4, (1952).

The “Third Way”: Távora’s Method in Masterwork. The Reconstruction of Porto’s old Municipal Tower, Known as ‘Casa dos 24’

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Downloads

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Make a Submission

Information

Keywords

Current Issue