Arquitetura moderna em São Luís: rupturas e continuidades

Abstract

The Modern Movement transformed the garb of cities through its ideals and architecture of simple and functional forms, reaching its full expression in the formulation of Brasilia. However, to cover the whole architectural panorama of the period is necessary the study of the modern architecture theme, outside the large cities, in regions that were not urban and industrial in the era of the modernism development. Thus, this work consists of a theoretical research on modern architecture in São Luís, considering the historical context of the city and the period, emphasizing the main buildings that helped to establish the modern language from the 1950s, in the city’s historic center. In order to understand the process of modern architecture establishment in the capital of Maranhão, it was important to make initially a brief history of the expansion and development of this architecture in the world, especially at national (Brazil) and regional sphere (Northeast), so that the historical contextualization of São Luís could be elaborated, highlighting the artistic aspects that helped spread the modern architecture in the city. During the research were found photos and unpublished data of important modern works in São Luís, as well as rare projects, which never came to be built, but which help in the generation of the city's architectural identity. Currently the importance of research on the modern architecture in Brazil has been increasing, but São Luís still lacks on specialized studies about this collection, so this work compiles existing information on the modern collection and brings new data, which serve to demonstrate the need for studies, records and practices towards the preservation of this architecture.