Hotel Aeromar - Architect Manuel Gomes da Costa - late 1950's

This hotel was designed by architect Manuel Gomes da Costa from Faro (1921-2016), the most productive member of the trio that brought 'modern' architecture to the Algarve. The others are architect António Vicente de Castro from Portimão (1920-2002), whose villa can also be admired on the island, and architect Manuel Laguinha from Loulé (1919-1985). All three trained at the Escola Superior de Belas-Artes do Porto, under the guidance of professor Carlos Ramos (1897-1969).

Various designs for hotels (Tavira) are known by architect Manuel Gomes da Costa, but only this hotel and the first version of the famous 'Dom José Beach Hotel' opened in 1965 as the hotel 'Toca do Coelho' (photo12) in Quarteira is actually realised.

The hotel consists of two floors and is immediately recognizable as the holiday architecture of Manuel Gomes da Costa due to the alternating and shadowy play of surfaces, sticking out and passing beams, Cobogos (wall from open bricks/blocks) and the butterfly roof canopy. The start of the sloping roofs in the front with roof tiles mainly serves to hide the flat roof terrace.

Photos: a.o. @wilson semilio photo - @themodernistfaro - @richardwalker