Fernando Távora facts for kids
Fernando Távora (born August 25, 1923, in Porto; died September 3, 2005, in Matosinhos) was a very famous Portuguese architect and professor. He played a key role in modernizing architecture in Portugal.
Biography
Fernando Távora was born into a large family. He was the sixth of seven children. He studied architecture at the Porto School of Fine Arts. He graduated in 1952. This school later became part of the University of Porto.
After graduating, he became a professor at the same school. He helped make the Porto School of Architecture more modern. He took part in important international meetings. These included the Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM) and Team 10 groups.
Many of his students became famous architects. Two of them, Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, even won the Pritzker Architecture Prize. This is one of the highest awards in architecture. Álvaro Siza also worked in Távora's architecture office.
Later, Távora became the head of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto. He also taught at the University of Coimbra. He wrote several important essays about architecture. One of his well-known projects was renovating the Pousada de Guimarães. This old convent was turned into a historic hotel.
Besides teaching, Távora also worked for city councils. He was a consultant for Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. He also helped with urban renewal projects in Porto. He advised on planning in northern Portugal and in Guimarães.
Main Works
Fernando Távora designed many buildings and public spaces. Here are some of his important projects:
- Summer House at Ofir
- Vila da Feira Municipal Market
- Quinta da Conceicao Municipal Park in Leça da Palmeira
- Quinta da Conceicao Tennis Pavilion in Leça da Palmeira
- Santa Marinha Convent in Guimarães (renovation)
- General urban plan for Guimarães
- Renovation of the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Porto
- Renovation of Praça 8 de Maio in Coimbra
Recognition and Awards
Fernando Távora's work was shown in exhibitions worldwide. These included shows at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. His work was also displayed at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. It was also part of Europália 1991 in Brussels and the Venice Biennial.
He received a scholarship from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. This allowed him to study in the United States and Japan in 1960. He won many architecture prizes. He also received the Golden Medal from the city of Porto. He was awarded the Order of St James of the Sword. The University of Coimbra gave him an honorary degree, called a Doctor Honoris Causa. This is a special title given to honor someone's achievements.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Távora para niños
