Le Cobusier's Legacy: Modern experimentation in Mario Bonito's work

Abstract

This paper investigates the path of, third generation Portuguese modern architect, Mário Bonito (1921/1976), in order to understand and clarify his contribution to the maturity process of portuguese modern architecture, that began at the end of the 1940s, strongly influenced by Le Corbusier. Through the understanding of his final academic work, CODA (Concurso para Obtenção do Diploma de Arquitecto / Competition to Obtain the Architects Diploma), designated Pavilhão das Ilhas Adjacentes, located in Jardim do Palacio Cristal (Crystal Palace Gardens) in Porto, dated 1947/48, we intend to deepen his relationship, with the modern premises of corbusierŽs architecture, framed by portuguese reality. However Le CorbusierŽs legacy in Mario BonitoŽs work is not formal but thematic, in understanding the main issues that guide the intent of progressive man in molding a modern and just society. The academic proposal covers themes characteristic to Portuguese modernist architecture such as the dialogue between craftsmanship and technique, compositional rigor and rational design issues resulting from the systematization of the construction processes, with the search for standardization of architectural and constructional elements. This dialogue emphasizes the compromise between tradition and modernity that will be present in all of Mário BonitoŽs designed and written work, announcing the experimental temperament and formal coherence of his subsequent works.