The inauguration of the exhibition "José Pires Branco - modern and tradition" took place on February 24, at 'A Moagem - City of Engenho and the Arts, in Fundão.

The recognition of modern architecture as heritage is very recent. Primordial and urgent tasks are the raising and deepening knowledge of this universe as well as its dissemination to an increasingly wider public. José Pires Branco represents a prodigious generation that managed to rip the provincial conservatism, constituting itself as one of the most generous and eclectic architects with work built in Beira Interior. An unusual but unknown work that focuses exclusively on the arch of Beira between Covilhã and Portalegre. An immense collection that deserves to be discovered and valued.

This itinerant exhibition, which began its journey in Lisbon and will pass through Fundão, Covilhã and Castelo Branco, is made up of a sample of 19 of the most representative projects based on original drawings, meaningfully signaling the expression of the work of one of the most important figures of Beira Interior culture in the 20th century: José Pires Branco.

Project Facts:

Curatorship: Pedro Novo and Paulo Fortunato

Project Exhibition: Pedro Novo Architects 

Scientific Advisory: João Luis Marques 

Video: Alexandre Azevedo

Production: Marta Golasz; Maris Kohv; Kevin Rebelo; Brais Rodício; Diego López

Top image: Exterior drawing of Santa Teresinha (1959-1961). Image courtesy of José Pires Branco's documentary

All images © Miguel Proença

> via A Moagem - City of Engenho and the Arts