Fundação Iberê Camargo, Álvaro Siza: uma aproximação crítica

Abstract

The new Fundação Iberê Camargo building (1998-2008), in Porto Alegre, constitutes the central subject of this study, which main field concerns developing a reflection on the phenomenon of architectural design. This building is the first project of the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza (1933 - ) in Brazil. It was constructed to shelter the headquarters of the Institution, which main purpose was to catalogue and disclose, nationally and internationally, the work of one of the biggest Brazilian expressionist artists of the 20th century: Iberê Camargo (1914-1994). In the elapsing of this dissertation, a detailed interpretative analysis of the building is presented, based preferably on objective and demonstrable criteria. The information previously published on this subject present the most commonly accepted vision that relates some significant aspects of the project to possible citations that the architect would have done from idiosyncrasies of Brazilian Modern Architecture. This essay's intention is to contribute to the established discussion with a supplemental vision, presenting some particular comparisons such as the recognition of common points with the work of other authors which are acknowledged references to the architect, the confrontation with some of his own works, as well as the identification of distinct linking to the Brazilian architectural culture and to the honoured artist, Iberê Camargo. The analysis of formal, functional and representative characteristics of the project is distributed throughout three parts entitled Principle, Tectonics and Object, each of them traces the referred parallels which lead to the following considerations: An inspiring place. And the apparently complex geometry that reveals to be enrolled on a regular basis, consequent of a curious reference that results in a spontaneous communication; A stimulating context. And the new technologies that allow the union of the paradoxical concepts brutalism and sophistication, reaching the supremacy of some of the architect's long-developed objectives; A meritorious laureate. And the maturation of an architect, who proves his mastery, once again, by the reinterpretation of several paradigmatic cases, permitting his contribution to the museum typology with a singular piece, endowed of his personal expression. Summarizing, the architectural principles deriving of an unusual reference, the force of tectonic qualities consequent of both encouraging Siza's professional background and local historical context, and the acceptance of the architect who was motivated, from the beginning, by the challenge to contribute with the investor's yearning that the legacy of an artist persist and whose work he himself considers to be truly authentic. The consequent object set up, similarly states as a singular and authentic work itself, not only in the set of Álvaro Siza's architectural production, but also as his personal legacy in the world-wide panorama of architecture.