Ricardo Porro
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Porro is a Cuban-born architect (b. 1925). He graduated in architecture from the Universidad de la Habana (University of Havana
) in 1949, following which he spent two years in post-graduate studies at the Institute of Urbanism at the Sorbonne
. By the mid-1950s, his work took on distinctive Organic
tendencies. In 1957, Porro published a polemical article, El sentido de la tradición, calling for a Cuban architecture that recognized the specificities of culture and history - “una arquitectura negra”. Shortly thereafter, Porro’s support for the Cuban Revolution
caught up with him, and he was forced into exile when his subversive activities were discovered following the failed General Strike of 1957
.
Porro fled to Venezuela
in early 1958, where he taught architecture and worked in the Banco Obrero project led by famed architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva
. While in Venezuela, Porro met two Italian expatriate architects: Roberto Gottardi
and Vittorio Garatti
. Following the victory of the Cuban Revolution, Porro returned to Cuba and in 1961 was designated by Fidel Castro as the head of design for Havana's new National Art Schools
. Porro invited Gottardi and Garatti to join him in the project, for which he designed the School of Modern Dance and the School of Plastic Arts.
In 1966, Porro fled in exile to France following a political realignment in Cuba, a shift which deemed the architecture and architects of Cuba's National Art Schools to be a politically incorrect
counter to the Soviet Functionalist
building style that was rapidly gaining dominance in the country. Once in Europe, Porro taught classes in Paris, Lille and Strasbourg on the history of art and architecture. He also collaborated on extensive architectural works in France from the 1980s through the first decade of the 21st century, particularly educational institutions in Île-De-France
. Today, Porro lives in Paris
, practices architecture, and creates art.
University of Havana
The University of Havana or UH is a university located in the Vedado district of Havana, Cuba. Founded in 1728, the University of Havana is the oldest university in Cuba, and one of the first to be founded in the Americas...
) in 1949, following which he spent two years in post-graduate studies at the Institute of Urbanism at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
. By the mid-1950s, his work took on distinctive Organic
Organic architecture
Organic architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated...
tendencies. In 1957, Porro published a polemical article, El sentido de la tradición, calling for a Cuban architecture that recognized the specificities of culture and history - “una arquitectura negra”. Shortly thereafter, Porro’s support for the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
caught up with him, and he was forced into exile when his subversive activities were discovered following the failed General Strike of 1957
Timeline of the Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista’s regime by the 26th of July Movement and the establishment of a new Cuban government led by Fidel Castro in 1959...
.
Porro fled to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
in early 1958, where he taught architecture and worked in the Banco Obrero project led by famed architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva
Carlos Raúl Villanueva
Carlos Raúl Villanueva was the most prominent Venezuelan architect of the 20th century and one of the great Modernists. He played a major role in the development and modernization of Caracas, Maracay and other cities across the country...
. While in Venezuela, Porro met two Italian expatriate architects: Roberto Gottardi
Roberto Gottardi
Roberto Gottardi is an Cuban architect. He graduated in architecture from the Instituto Superiore di Architettura di Venezia in 1952, the same class as Massimo Vignelli...
and Vittorio Garatti
Vittorio Garatti
Vittorio Garatti is an architect. He graduated in architecture in 1957 from the Politecnico di Milano, where Ernesto Nathan Rogers was a major influence. Guido Canella and Gae Aulenti were his classmates...
. Following the victory of the Cuban Revolution, Porro returned to Cuba and in 1961 was designated by Fidel Castro as the head of design for Havana's new National Art Schools
National Schools of Art, Havana
Cuba's National Art Schools are considered by historians to be one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Cuban Revolution...
. Porro invited Gottardi and Garatti to join him in the project, for which he designed the School of Modern Dance and the School of Plastic Arts.
In 1966, Porro fled in exile to France following a political realignment in Cuba, a shift which deemed the architecture and architects of Cuba's National Art Schools to be a politically incorrect
Politically incorrect
The phrase "politically incorrect" may refer to:* Someone or something which does not meet a standard of political correctness* Politically Incorrect, a late-night U.S. political talk show* Politically Incorrect, a German political blog...
counter to the Soviet Functionalist
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
building style that was rapidly gaining dominance in the country. Once in Europe, Porro taught classes in Paris, Lille and Strasbourg on the history of art and architecture. He also collaborated on extensive architectural works in France from the 1980s through the first decade of the 21st century, particularly educational institutions in Île-De-France
Île-de-France (région)
Île-de-France is the wealthiest and most populated of the twenty-two administrative regions of France, composed mostly of the Paris metropolitan area....
. Today, Porro lives in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, practices architecture, and creates art.
External Links
- Revolution of Forms website, a book about the Porro-designed Cuban National Art SchoolsNational Schools of Art, HavanaCuba's National Art Schools are considered by historians to be one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Cuban Revolution...
- Ricardo Porro on Archguide (in French)