Thursday, July 28, 2011

TILES



Church of São Bento da Vitória, Porto

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

DOOR


Forte de São João Baptista das Berlengas, Berlengas

Friday, July 22, 2011

PORCH


Private Residence, Batalha

Most of what is seen in the photo is relatively recent construction added on to an old house. The columns came from the stone workshop in Batalha, where new pieces are made every time a replacement is needed at the famed monastery.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

BIG HAY BARN


Hay Barn, Batalha

These hay barns used to populate the Centre West area of Portugal. Literally called "Big Hay Barns" - palheirões - they are like proto greek temples in their configuration and formal simplicity, derived almost solely from funcion. Besides the side piers and the timber roof structure, they harbour grid-like wooden structures which are used to keep the straw bales bound together. The open construction allowed for both ventilation and protection from the rain.
The proportions are also simple and logical: roof pitch is close to a golden section ratio, and the piers are as tall as the roof. On the sides, the space between the piers is as wide as it is tall (minus the overhang of the roof).
Now that no one stacks hay anymore, they are mostly used as tool sheds, garages, stables or poultries, etc, and most times the walls are filled in - this example is one of the rare few who kept its purity of form.

Monday, July 18, 2011

PEDESTAL SINK



Casa de Serralves, Porto

The Casa de Serralves has the appeal of being a coutry house entirely done in the Art Deco/ Moderne style, as opposed to the more prevalent apartment renovations of the period. Now turned into an art museum, it is unfortunately stripped of most of its original furniture, some of which came from the ateliers of Ruhlmann in Paris. This lavatory's design origins are unknown; the great Porto Beaux-Arts architect Marques da Silva had worked on the project as well.

SKYLIGHT

Typical skylight, Porto

One of the ubiquitous stairwell lanterns that punctuate the city's skyline, this one has an ornate crest with a colored glass ball. The background belongs to another ubiquitous sight, the infamous corrugated aluminum siding used for the sides of speculative apartment buildings in the 80s.

ROOF DETAIL


Ventilation Tile, Batalha

TOMBS

Convento de São Francisco, Porto

VAULTED HALLWAY



Convento de Cristo, Tomar

REFECTORY




Convento de Cristo, Tomar

BALCONY TO COURTYARD




Cadeia da Relação, Porto

Note the quadruple sash windows at the sides. Yes, 4 panes that open up.