THE MODERNIST WEEKEND
November 7-8-9/2025
Faro-portugal
Welcome to the celebration
of Portuguese Modernist architecture in Faro!
This event is dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of mid-century buildings. In collaboration with the Faro Municipality, this year's event aims to foster a deeper understanding of these unique structures through guided tours, open house visits, networking opportunities, and captivating art exhibitions.
The buildings and houses of interest primarily date back to the 1950s and 1970s.
Participants can look forward to guided tours of significant architectural sites, including intimate visits to private homes and exhibitions featuring works by artists inspired by Modernism. The event also includes networking opportunities, discussions on the preservation of Modernist heritage, and The Modernist weekend closing event with cocktails and networking!
Attendees are architecture enthusiasts, architects, designers, and artists who possess a deep passion for and appreciation of this architectural style.
Event organized by : The Modernist Faro / Co-organizer : Picada Cultural
Event Supports : Camara Municipal de Faro, Art gallery GAMA RAMA, Association Alfa, Club Farense
Thursday 6 - November
17:00 to 19:00
Welcome & Orientation Evening
Lab Terrace Faro
Friday 7 - November
1st day
09:30 to 11:00
The Modernist architecture of Faro - Walking tour (1.5hours)
Join Chris, co-founder of The Modernist Faro and the Modernist weekend in the discovery of iconic Modernist buildings of Faro !
09:30 to 11:00
The Garden History of Faro: From Tradition to Modernism - Walking tour (1,5 hours)
A guided walk through the evolving green spaces of Faro — from historic courtyards to Modernist landscapes. A 1.5-hour walking tour led by a landscaping professor Sónia Azambuja, expert in garden history at UAlg.
12:00 to 13:00
Inside Casa Gago: A Modernist Icon - Home tour (1hour)
Exclusive visit to Casa Gago. Guided by architect Victor Hugo Faustino, expert of architect Manuel Gomes da costa, you’ll discover the home’s design, history, and unique details, offering a rare glimpse into a masterpiece of Algarve modernism.
12:00 to 13:00
"Tridente": Exploring Faro’s Largest Modernist Building -
Home tour (1hour)
Discover the elegance of Faro’s modernist heritage with an exclusive visit to the Tridente building. This guided tour led by Leanne Cloudsdale (founder of concrete comminities) reveals the building architecture, design details, and cultural significance, offering a rare opportunity to step inside one of the city’s modernist landmarks.
13:00 to 15:00
Lunch break
15:00 to 16:30
Modernist Heritage: The Architecture of Manuel Gomes da Costa
Walking tour (1,5hours)
Join Victor Hugo Faustino, Architect, expert of Architect Manuel Gomes da costa, on a 1.5-hour walking tour exploring the legacy of architect Manuel Gomes da Costa, whose modernist buildings shaped Faro’s mid-20th-century identity.
15:00 to 16:30
The Garden History of Faro: From Tradition to Modernism - Walking
tour (1,5 hours)
Discover Faro’s Modernist garden on a 1.5-hour walking tour led by a landscaping professor Sónia Azambuja, expert in garden history at UAlg.
15:00 to 16:00
"Tridente" : Exploring Faro’s Largest Modernist Building -
Home tour (1hour)
Discover the elegance of Faro’s modernist heritage with an exclusive visit to the Tridente building. This guided tour led by Leanne Cloudsdale (founder of concrete comminities) reveals the building architecture, design details, and cultural significance, offering a rare opportunity to step inside one of the city’s modernist landmarks.
17:30 to 18:30
Photos Exhibition Alfa association- “Manuel Gomes da Costa,
Arquitecto Modernista
Opening of the Manuel Gomes Da Costa expo withdrawings, images, photos through a walk from Art galery to Open air Photo expo. Exhibition stays from November 7 – 30
Free entrance : Galeria Arco, Faro
18:30 to 20:30
Art Exhibition Vernissage- “Through the Glass : all Colors" by Graça Paz
and Bruno Grilo” Curated by José Jesus
This exhibition brings together works by Graça Paz and Bruno Grilo. The work of both artists converses from a shared starting point: light. In particular, sunlight as both a transversal and metaphorical reference. The intense palettes of their works and their formal structures resonate with the modernist aesthetic. Exhibition stays from November 7 – December 20
Complimentary Tapas & Drinks
Free entrance : GAMA RAMA Art Gallery Faro
Saturday 8 - November
2nd Day
09:30 to 11:00
The Modernist architecture of Faro - Walking tour (1.5hours)
Join Chris, co-founder of The Modernist Faro and the Modernist weekend in the discovery of iconic Modernist buildings of Faro !
09:30 to 11:00
From Bauhaus to beach house -Walking tour (1,5hours)
Join this captivating architectural walking tour led by artist Richard Walker, that explores the modernist influences on the Faro Island.
09:30 to 11:00
Brutalism undercover - the Campus da Penha walking tour (1,5hours)
A guided exploration of Faro’s Brutalist university with phd Francesca Vita and Special guest architect Pedro Calado .
12:00 to 13:00
Inside Casa Gago: A Modernist Icon - Home tour (1hour)
Exclusive visit to Casa Gago. Guided by architect Victor Hugo Faustino, expert of architect Manuel Gomes da costa, you’ll discover the home’s design, history, and unique details, offering a rare glimpse into a masterpiece of Algarve modernism.
12:00 to 13:00
Casa 1923 : An Award-Winning House & Architecture Studio- Home tour (1hour)
This Art Nouveau house received the 2024 Urban Rehabilitation Award, offering a unique opportunity to meet the architects, learn about their vision, and explore their celebrated work and house.
13:00 to 15:00
Lunch break
15:00 to 16:30
Brutalism undercover - the Campus da Penha walking tour (1,5hours)
A guided exploration of Faro’s Brutalist university with phd Francesca Vita and Special guest architect Pedro Calado .
15:00 to 16:00
Casa 1923 : An Award-Winning House & Architecture Studio- Home tour (1hour)
This Art Nouveau house received the 2024 Urban Rehabilitation Award, offering a unique opportunity to meet the architects, learn about their vision, and explore their celebrated work and house.
15:00 to 16:30
Tour "Roteiro Modernista" in Portuguese with Gonçalo Vargas architect (1,5hours)
Join Gonçalo, architects and admirers of Manuel Gomes da Costa, for an exclusive tour that highlights the architectural significance of Rua de Berlim and includes a visit to the historic Colégio do Alto.
18:00 to 19:30
"Modernism + the Algarve, Minority interest or public priority ? Live Talk An evening of lively discussions, food, drinks, and Entertainment
Join us at Club Farense for a lively debate on Modernism in the Algarve—niche passion or cultural priority? The talk will include a presentation and preview of Richard Walker’s book Faro Modernism, offering attendees an early insight into his research and documentation of Faro’s distinctive modernist landscape.
Free entrance - Club Farense Faro
19:30 to 24:00
The Modernist weekend closing party
This event is designed to bring together participants of the Modernist Weekend, offering an excellent opportunity to network !
Complimentary Tapas & Drinks and DJ
Free entrance - Club Farense Faro
Sunday 9 - November
3rd day
10:00 to 11:30
From Bauhaus to beach house -Walking tour (1,5hours)
Join this captivating architectural walking tour led by artist Richard Walker & Chris, founder of the Modernist weekend, that explores the modernist influences on the Faro Island.
10:00 to 11:30
Modernist Heritage: The Architecture of Manuel Gomes da Costa
Walking tour (1,5hours)
Join Victor Hugo Faustino, Architect, expert of Architect Manuel Gomes da costa, on a 1.5-hour walking tour exploring the legacy of architect Manuel Gomes da Costa, whose modernist buildings shaped Faro’s mid-20th-century identity.
What the participants experienced :
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Explored Faro's Modernist treasures on intimate tours.
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Discovered the history and significance of Modernist architecture.
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Engaged with international artists and acquired stunning artworks.
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Connected with influential artists, architects, designers, and enthusiasts.
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Enjoyed cocktails and dinners in the Algarve sunshine.
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Collaborated on preserving Faro's Modernist heritage.
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Found inspiration and like-minded Modernism enthusiasts.
Who we are ?
We are Angélique and Christophe De Oliveira and we settled in Portugal in 2018, following Chris' Portuguese roots. We immediately fell in love with Faro and became promoters of its Modernist architectural heritage. We even wrote a book.
In 2021, we launched The Modernist accommodation in Faro. With it, we created a unique architectural hospitality experience and became a reference in architecture travel in Europe. We have been featured in Forbes, Monocle, National Geographic, Elle Decor and Evasoes.
Following our passion for architecture, we had a dream to gather others passionate for the first Modernist architecture weekend in Faro. Let's share the relatively unknown but significant heritage of Faro.
This event celebrates and promotes the city's rich Modernist architectural heritage by showcasing its unique mid-century buildings. All funds raised will be reinvested into the event and future initiatives.
Event organized by : The Modernist Faro
Co-organizer : Picada Cultural
Event Supports : Camara Municipal de Faro, Art gallery GAMA RAMA, association Alfa, Club Farense
Contact us !