Projectar uma infância portuguesa. Os Espaços da educação segundo Raul Lino.

Abstract

The purpose of this work is not only to identify architectural approaches which represent a multidisciplinary concern for early childhood education, but also to study examples based on extensive theoretical reflection, subsequently translated and designed according to the principles of the architect who designs the spaces. An approach that goes beyond the scope of architecture - as a discipline that only organizes space subjected to a program, budget and legislation - and, in addition, is associated with pedagogy, displaying concerns related with this subject and expressing solutions for both problems, with the goal of maximizing a child's development. Thus, Portuguese examples of elementary schools, kindergartens and Jardins-Escolas João de Deus are analysed, in an attempt to demonstrate architecture as an interventionist and participatory element in developing early childhood education. Seeing that a good spatial design can provide an environment that encourages and enables the physical, intellectual and cultural cognitive development of a child, in order to define their personality and characteristics as a human being. In parallel, it also procures to disclose the poetic and technique, intrinsic to the design of educational spaces conducted by Raul Lino, in order to emphasize and reflect on the work of the Portuguese architect in this field. Based on these goals, a study on the theoretical and historical component of the child, childhood education and spaces designed for children was performed, as well as on the architectural characteristics of Raul Lino, particularly regarding educational spaces. Summarized, all the theoretical knowledge acquired is subsequently put into practice, when analysing these case studies. Therefore, what this dissertation intends to develop is a sort of compendium of all school spaces designed by architect Raul Lino, for children (or at least all kindergartens and elementary schools by that author, found by the author of this dissertation). The research, compilation and consequent reflection on these case studies, intends to act as an aid for future work on the same theme or derivatives, and also to provide a strong foundation for the presentation of possible approaches from other architects in this context.