Casa de Guarda-Florestal - Património em risco

Abstract

The beginning of the twentieth century was a period of great investment by the Forest Services in the afforestation of the country's pine and dunes, and in orde to develop this process the best possible way, measures were taken measures to protect this natural patrimony. Thus, ranger houses were built inside the respective forest perimeters, which were responsible for defending them. In this process of afforestation several types of forest ranger projects were carried out, according to the needs of the time, and it is possible to find these houses scattered throughout the continental territory and islands. Most of these houses were built during the "Estado Novo" period, and similarities can be observed with other public buildings which were built in the same period, such as the cantoneiro houses and the elementary schools of the Plan of the Centennial. These three types of public buildings are an abandoned heritage, some of which are in danger of disappearing because of their high state of degradation. The objective of this dissertation is to publicize the ranger houses of the municipality of Amarante as patrimony that deserves to be preserved, a study was carried out on the existing buildings with the goal of assuring their systematization. The paper contemplated the geometric and constructive survey of all the habitations, which are in the township, as well as a brief characterization of its state of conservation. The objective of this process was the typification of all the case studies in order to classify them, to identify their construction period and to frame the importance of this building in the panorama of the national architecture, thus contributing to the foundation of its patrimonial value. This dissertation seeks to list the main problems that arise from the rehabilitation of this building, trying to discuss its importance and thus contribute to a definition of what may constitute the good practices of intervention in this building. It is urgent that these buildings are registered to avoid their disappearance and that maintenance plans are carried out to preserve and bequeath this heritage to future generations.