José Manuel Almodóvar Melendo

Nineteen Thirties Architecture for Tropical Countries: Le Corbusier's Brise-Soleil at the Ministry of Education in Rio de Janeiro

abstract Around 1930 the Modern Movement in Architecture had come of age in Europe. Suddenly, the architects of this movement realized that it had the potential to spread to the rest of the world and sought regions generally deprived of a firm sense of civil building procedures. To a certain extent, the tropics were one such area. Their authorities, mostly for want of social organization or techniques, welcomed the import of new industrial construction methods, seemingly efficient and unprejudiced, instead of inventing their own methods. However as modern materials had originated in temperate areas, their progress was hindered by the oppressiveness of the tropical climate. In this year–long investigation, the authors, through scientific design methods and computer simulation, would like to contribute to a careful examination of the systems conceived to overcome this major fault of modern architecture, and to provide solutions for the future. As the present study encompasses several different cultures, the case of the brise–soleil in South America will be discussed by first focusing on the figures of Le Corbusier and Lucio Costa.

Considerations Concerning Measurements Relating to the Urban Design of the Spanish-American City

Abstract This paper analyzes the measurements regarding the urban elements used by the Spaniards for the foundation and design of the Spanish–American cities created on the American continent over three centuries during the colonial period. The measurements analyzed are from the urban elements of the plaza, streets, and blocks. The study was accomplished based on the following: 1) study of the measurements in the theoretical models and in the reticular main cities of Spanish urbanism until the 16th century, 2) study of the measurements in the Laws of the Indies (1573), and 3) by analysis of the measurements used in the cities created on the American continent, through the study of cartography corresponding to the Colonial Spanish period. In the urban models used during three centuries by the Spaniards on the American continent the use of some particular measurement is evident (besides the common use of urban reticular traces). These measurements have a theoretical and practical base in Spain since the 12th century.

Similarities Between R.M. Schindler House and Descriptions of Traditional Japanese Architecture

Kings Road House has become an icon of early modern architecture. This innovative house, described by Schindler as ″a cooperative dwelling for two young couples″, was considered by Reyner Banham to be a totally new beginning. Although many papers devoted to the house have been published, no research has been conducted into its relationship with the interpreted characteristics of Japanese architecture or the sources from which Schindler may have obtained information about Japan in 1921 without ever having traveled to the country. In this paper, the authors hope to clarify the matter and shed new light on some of the elements of Japanese architecture found in Schindler′s House, including the aspects of sun and light control. This was done through research into original documents in archives in California and with the help of contemporary simulation tools, duly tested by means of on-site measurements. The results show clear similarities between key concepts of Schindler House and descriptions of Japanese architecture. Some of these concepts have been considered essential elements of Schindler architecture and were subsequently reproduced in other houses in California.

Considerations Concerning French Urban Influence on Spanish Colonial Cities on the Island of Cuba

Abstract This paper analyzes the French urban influence on cities created by Spaniards on the island of Cuba from the 16th to 19th century. Due to its geographical location, the island of Cuba acquired great influence from the American and European continent during the Spanish Colonial period. The study was accomplished through the recompilation of the principal 58 cities created in Cuba during the colonial period, the analysis of their different urban types and the evaluation in several cities of the main characteristic of their French influence. The evolution of the Hispanic-French relationship and the historical events that affected the Caribbean took place on many cities created during the last century of the colonial period. This is evident in the variations in their urban structure and block divisions.