House of Francisco Maria de Oliveira Simões

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Aveiro > Estarreja > Salreu > São Martinho

Location:

The House of Francisco Maria de Oliveira Simões stands at Largo da Igreja, no. 4, in the heart of Salreu, municipality of Estarreja. It is located next to the local parish church, nestled in a quiet urban space where activity primarily revolves around religious events and the small surrounding squares.

From the main gate, one can see a landscaped walkway area to the left, and a staircase leading up to the ground floor to the right. The house's surroundings combine traditional village housing with some scattered trees, creating a calm atmosphere overlooking the urban core.

Historical Value:

Commissioned in 1914 by Francisco Maria de Oliveira Simões, a merchant who made his fortune in Brazil, this single-family dwelling stands out for its concept of “total work”: the project encompassed not only the architecture but also the interior decoration and the design of the adjacent garden.

It was designed by architect Francisco Augusto da Silva Rocha, a central figure of the Art Nouveau movement in Portugal.

The relationship between the owner and the architect deepened with the marriage of their respective families in 1919, strengthening the social bond reflected in the quality and decorative richness of the details, both on the exterior and interior of the house.

Architectural Details and Decoration:

On the northwest-facing facade, the upper floor features green ceramic tiles that contrast with the stonework on the lower floor. In the central section, a polychrome tile panel depicting Mercury, messenger of Roman mythology, appears, framed by pilasters and topped with a false curved pediment adorned with decorative urns.

The exterior masonry staircase leads to the first-floor portal, protected by a porch supported by columns with vegetal capitals. Inside, the original furniture is preserved, along with elements such as polychrome stained glass, stucco work with geometric and floral motifs, and painted tile panels in the rooms, all reinforcing the integrated nature of Silva Rocha's design.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt