Angie and Chris left France for the Algarve because “the south of Portugal is not just the beach” – NiT
Angie and Chris left France for the Algarve because “the south of Portugal is not just beaches”
The couple took the “ugliest building in Faro” and became the icon of Algarve Modernism, which you can discover in November.
“We want to show that the Algarve, in addition to the climate and landscapes, has an attractive attraction: its architecture”. Angélique and Christophe de Oliveira were born in France, studied management and dedicated themselves, in Paris, to transforming places with history into local accommodation units. In 2018 branch, specifically for Portugal, more for the Algarve, and continue to work in the same They already have 15 years of experience.
Buy building number 27, Rua Dom Francisco Gomes, in Faro — a one-story building, which keeps the “old residents on the ground floor” — and occupies three floors. The fact that it was “the ugliest building in the city” did not scare or deter them. “The building’s revitalization project was in charge of PAr (Architecture Platform) which turned it into an icon of Algarve Modernism”, reveals the couple. After the local accommodation unit, with six apartments per floor.
Anyone passing on the street, in the center of the Algarve town, also notices the Loja da Sorte Campião and, on the ground floor, the Bertrand bookshop — such are the old tenants. Despite being modest, the building is a refuge and a case study for architecture lovers.
O enterprise, which they named O modernista, is characterized by “simplicity, minimalism and the unique character for those who want to relax, think and be inspired”, they continue. The experience it provides to its guests is distinguished by “allowing a personal contact with the architectural legacy”. This is because it is “a unique unit with this positioning oriented towards Modernism in the Algarve and even in Portugal”, they assure.
Designed by architect Joel Santana, the building was erected in 1977 as the home and workplace of a shipping agent. Now, after the considered change of Angie and Chris (2 at 45 years old) it is no longer ugly — and how it happened not only on the facade. The modernist welcomes furniture designed by the couple by Portuguese designers and inspired by the modernist movement. “All the materials used are national and most of them are from the Algarve”.
The Modernist opened in May 2021 and has six apartments with double beds, equipped kitchens. The minimum reservation is two nights (from €120 each). All chromatic presentation, balconies or terraces. They are spacious, without partitions and with few furniture to maximize space. They include sofa beds that can accommodate up to four people in each accommodation.
Minimalist and welcoming, the hotel’s decor is inspired by the 1970s.. The stone, lighting and handles, in the same modern aesthetic, were also the least of the economy in the south, or “100 kilometers away to reduce the ecological footprint as much as possible and promote their art”
With “various entrepreneurial veins”, the couple’s lives are not just about works and transformations “In addition to working in this hotel, we also wrote a book about Modernism in Faro, with a tour of the city where our architectural remains can be found. We share the work with our clients so that we can also discover and appreciate this heritage”. Yes, because they aim to “share the passion for modernist architecture and show this incredible heritage that exists in Faro and the Algarve and which is unique in Europe”.
Angie Chris argues that this architecture “must be altered and valued in the future, conserved and transformed in the future”. The mission, however, is not easy. “We have a great deal of work ahead, because few people are aware of the historic asset they build”, announces the disclosure. As part of this larger project, they organized The Modernist Weekend, an event dedicated to this architectural movement, with visits to private homes, tours and a themed dinner.
On the weekend of November 11th to 13th, it will be possible to visit, in Faro, houses defined and never by the great modernist architects that November will open doors to the public. One of them is precisely the local accommodation for the organizers. “We will have an exhibition dedicated to the modern movement of Faro that invites you to travel back in time to the 70s and we are organizing visits to modernists who are for sale, to raise awareness of the architectural value they have and the traits that distinguish them.”
Visits and tours are limited to 15 participants and are required subscription Preview. Access to the open houses costs €10 and each one lasts one hour. The walks last two hours and cost €20 per person. The proceeds go towards the preservation and enhancement of the heritage. “The itineraries are walking tours and have a defined schedule, with scheduled times. The is restricted and requires prior participation. Visits in small groups and with the presence of the owners of the houses and architects who give us their perspective of the buildings.”
It will be the first edition of the event that celebrates the architecture and modernist legacy existing in the Algarve. The objective is to educate and make buyers aware of the importance of preserving a heritage that increasingly attracts the public to the Algarve. The British artist Richard Walker will also participate in the event and will present a work as an example of an exhibition at the Hotel Aeromar, an example of an intact exhibition of Algarve Modernism from the 70s of the last century. Entry is free.
This hotel, overlooking the Ria Formosa, will also host the themed dinner “Back to the 70th”, on November 12, during which participants will be able to visit the establishment guided by Gonçalo Vargas, curator of the exhibition “MGC – Moderno to the South”, in the Faro District Archive. Limited to 50 seats, it costs €35 per person and will feature live music.
Casa Gago, from 1955, is one of the most emblematic works by Manuel Gomes da Costa — one of the great promoters of Algarve Modernism — and one of the private properties that will be possible to visit. The Modernist Weekend also passes through Casa Rua de Berlin, from 1955, owned by an Algarve family. Across the street, Gomes da Costa. several single family homes, which was one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Casa 1923 also opens its doors to the unique Art Nouveau event with decorative elements such as Art Déco in Faro.
Just four years ago four years in Portugal, An Just Four Years and Christophe have surrounded architecture lovers from even Faro, but a little from all over the world, since a little 90 percent of professional clients are or lovers of all these areas who would never visit the city without this pretext”. After all, it seems “Culture, history and Modernist architecture are reasons to travel”.
Click through the gallery to find out which houses are included in The Modernist Weekend itinerary.
see gallery
The modernist weekend.