Parking Garage of the Newspaper O Comércio do Porto

Category: Civil Architecture > Building

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Baixa do Porto

Location

This remarkable building is located in the Baixa district of Porto, occupying a prominent corner at the confluence of Rua do Almada and Rua de Elísio de Melo, in close proximity to Praça de Dona Filipa de Lencastre. Its central position facilitates access and observation of its distinctive architecture, integrated into the city's urban dynamism.

A Modernist Landmark

Dating from the 1930s, the O Comércio do Porto Newspaper Garage Building is recognized as a reference in Portuguese modernist architecture. Designed by architects Rogério dos Santos Azevedo and Baltazar de Castro, its conception demonstrates remarkable sobriety and striking innovation in the expressiveness of its volumes. The construction, which includes reinforced concrete, iron, glass, and mosaic, reflects the avant-garde materials and techniques of the time.

Functionality and Aesthetics

Although its primary function is that of a garage, with several floors connected by an impressive helical ramp, the building also integrates residences and offices on the upper floors, accessible through independent entrances. This combination of different uses within a single volume exemplifies the project's functional intelligence. Form follows function elegantly, resulting in an architectural heritage that continues to serve its original purpose while offering a lesson in design and engineering from the last century.

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