Reflexão Arquitectónica e Construtiva sobre a Janela. (Caso de Estudo: Arménio Losa)

Abstract

The span, known as the empty space which results from the closing plan drill of areas establishes a basic element in the formal structure of buildings, creating a frontier between the inside an the outside. The frame, being a constructive part, is the protection of inner areas from bad weather. The association of these two elements makes the window an important and essential element in the conception of space, which allows the flowing of light and fresh air inside the buildings. The objective of the current essay is to study the window as an architectonic and constructive element taking to account the Modern Movement in Portugal. It is intended to call the attention to the importance that the span and the window have had throughout the History of Architecture, understanding their evolution till the 20th century, by making an analysis about the way the light has been understood and combined in the most important years. The modern period has been the most remarkable piece to understand and execute the windows as it is pushed by technological inventions after the Industrial Revolution. These technological evolutions provided to change building techniques, allowing new structural and spacious conception. According to this, the window lost its vertical meaning bringing a revolution between the relationship of the inside and the outside. By saying this, new technologies allowed the development of frames increasing their functional efficiency, being necessary to understand and learn the different restrictions of the different factors that affect the sketch and the construction of factors divided into two stands: technical and functional factors. The study about windows based on a theoretical part through historical analysis and in a technical part in which several factors affect its project and practical construction was the beginning to study Arménio Losa's work. A very important personality in the Portuguese Architecture and was distinguished because of his brilliant technique showing an accurate care drawing windows. To understand the work of this author it was necessary to make a trip to the Modern Movement in Portugal, relating it to a time described as the time when the nation was looking for an architectonic identity.