A casa do arquiteto Agostinho RIcca - Porto 1963/1974

Abstract

Not only does the context appears as a physical place but also as a cultural and subjective surrounding environment of the work. As my interest lies in single family´s houses I've decided to focus on the architect's own house. Therefore my case study is Agostinho Ricca's own home, built in 1963 with whose architectural language I identify myself. The deep look into the architect's architectural concept through its own house is, in this chapter, used to understand certain aspects that usually are not so perceptible at first sight, aspects that can be found are inserted in his work pieces. In contrast with the methods which explore a more expository character of it's architectural concept, graphics were added to allow understanding better the idea behind the creation as well as it's implementation. In order to do so, a presentation with detailed documentary expressions of the instrumental and disciplinary procedures will be used. It uses the architect's sketches which allows the perceiption of "an imaginary constructed reality". Consequently, key sketches for the project evolution and implementation are also included. after a thorough examination of a wide number of working documents such as sketches, meticulous drawings, construction process details and photographs of the house are included in this project in order to establish the endurance of the architectonical materialization. It is important to notice that the analysis will take place in two distinct time periods, firstly the analysis in the construction year, 1963, and secondly in the year of the house change, 1974. I will try to expatiate the meaning and the relevance that this workpeice had for Agostinho Ricca as an architect and also as a client. In order to do so, I'll look back to the mid 20th century to see this house for it's "stories of experiences".