WINDOW

Casa do Arco, Leiria, by Ernesto Korrodi.

BRASS MOLDS

 

Lamp factory, Marinha Grande.

ROOF TILES

Decorative eave tiles in Marinha Grande.

ERNESTO KORRODI - HOUSE IN LEIRIA II

BAHAMAS? NO, MARINHA GRANDE

The British Industrialist William Stephens established himself around Lisbon during the 18th century. He became known for producing glass, and brought to Marinha Grande, near Leiria, foreign skilled labor to work in his factory. He must have also brought an architect or two, as everything built is in the British Palladian style. The architectural compound encompasses his own house, offices and factory. As in the Bahamas across the ocean, the severity of the architecture is made smoother, infused with the local colors and vernacular details. It is sadly semi-abandoned, waiting for funding to turn it into a museum like so many projects in the country today, but the exterior is still charming and surprising.

ERNEST KORRODI - HOUSE IN LEIRIA - I

This is the first of three posts by the Swiss architect, Ernest Korrodi (1870-1944), author of more than 400 buildings all over Portugal. In Leiria, the city where he lived and worked, he was the author of many residences and public buildings. Among his work in Leiria is the creative restoration of the Castle, which is controversial still today. Other important works in the city are the Town Hall and the Bank of Portugal building. The pictures above show the stair and atrium of the residential building Marques da Cruz, built in the 1920s and located in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira.