Construction culture between tradition and modernity: three works by Álvaro Siza

Abstract

Between 1958 and 1966, Álvaro Siza designed three remarkable works in Leça da Palmeira: the Boa Nova Tea House (1958-63), the Swimming Pool at Quinta da Conceição (1958-66) and the Ocean Swimming Pool (1959-66; building completed in 1973). Even though these buildings were designed within a short space of time and were built in the same area, they reflect the evolution of the construction culture in Portugal during the 1950s and 1960s, which evolved from a predominant recourse to traditional technologies using pre-industrial materials (often taking the form of a hybrid combination with modern solutions) towards the gradual affirmation of modern construction features made possible by the advances in the construction industry (mainly reinforced concrete).