A continuidade da tradição na modernidade: são Vítor, Kreuzberg, Schildrswijk e Chiado

Abstract

This present work searches the relationship between the tradition and the modernity in some works of architect Álvaro Siza. Those will be more specifically related to the inclusion of collective housing on small pieces of the city: at Oporto, São Victor (1974), in Germany, at Berlin, Kreuzberg (1979) in the Netherlands, in The Hague, Schilderswijk (1985), and again in Portugal, at Lisbon Chiado (1988). In the first part, about the city, are exposed some examples of what it is consider to be the traditional and modern forms. The first, expressed during the classical civilization and the medieval period, has his turning point in the industrial revolution, which serves as reason for the emergence of the modern movement, which arises among other experiences with the garden city and concentrated city. The modern movement had its reflection in Portugal later then in the rest of Europe, and it is this context, were appears very young the architect Alvaro Siza, that will be refereed in the second part of the work. Beginning with the nationalist architecture and Exposure of the Portuguese World, through the emergence of important architects like Keil do Amaral and Fernando Távora, until the moment when both come together to discuss the portuguese architecture in the 1st National Congress of Architecture. In the following year, Álvaro Siza arrived at the School of Fine Arts of Oporto and starts his academic life. From here, it is possible to start a personal view about the work of this architect. Because of the importance that the place has continuously in is projects, along with the vast experience on working at varied contexts of the city, in Portugal and in Europe, has previously required the investigation of the process of metamorphosis of the preexisting to then present the analysis of each project. The importance of the place on forming the work of Siza, means that the last part of this work is a reflection about this reality that the architect always takes into account on developing his project, as well as what principles of tradition and modernity, conscious or unconscious, generators his work. These seem to arise not as separated subjects but in a relation of continuity between them.