Bairro de Casas Economicas para Pescadores 1945/49 - architect Inácio Peres Fernandes

Due to the lack of housing felt throughout the country, a joint initiative by the State, through the office of the General Directorate of Urbanization Services, with the Junta Central das Casas dos Pescadores, for the construction of Neighborhoods of Economical Houses in main fishing centers, in the case of the Algarve, Portimão and Olhão, as well as in the its satellite villages, Ferragudo and Fuseta.

The neighborhood was located to the northwest of the town, where it had a reserved place in the Urban Plan.
To the North of the new port and industrial area of the town, to allow proximity between housing and work, for its inhabitants. Part of the streets and others characteristics had to comply with the guidelines already defined in the plan (UALG File).

The responsible architect was Inácio Peres Fernandes – as for the other three fishing neighborhoods in the Algarve. In charge of designing a huge neighborhood in Olhão, in 1945, the installation of 2480 families in 1240 homes, supported by a church, schools, Casa dos Pescadores and shopping areas. However, they were only built 120 homes, with four types, ranging from one to three floors.

They shared its characteristics with the neighborhoods of Portimão and Ferragudo, differentiating by the terraces with platibandas, Moorish-inspired chimneys and the arched stairs that marked the entrance to the houses.

@Ricardo Agares

Photograph: John Shepherd a.o.