Affonso Eduardo Reidy is one of the icons of modern Brazilian architecture. Although he was born in Paris, he lived his whole life in Rio de Janeiro and graduated from the Escola Nacional de Belas Artes (ENBA) in 1930. He was an intern under Alfred Agache and collaborated on the city's Master Plan. A concern with social issues was present from his very first built project - the Albergue da Boa Vontade, in the Saúde neighborhood, carried out in partnership with Gerson Pompeu Pinheiro, in 1931.
Main entrance of the Albergue da Boa Vontade, 1931. Source: Archdaily
Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a modernist building. On the left side, we see a tree with spread-out branches. In the center, there is an arched entrance with the inscription "ALBERGUE DA BOA VONTADE" in large, light-colored letters. On the right, there is a symmetrical structure with rectangular windows arranged horizontally. In the foreground, two individuals are standing near the entrance.Aligned with the modernist movement, Reidy was hired by Lúcio Costa as assistant professor to Gregori Warchavchik and later took over the chair of architectural composition. But his career at ENBA didn't last long. In 1932, he became an employee of the then Federal District's city government, where he worked until the early 1960s.
In 1934, he met engineer Carmen Portinho, his future wife, who had a great influence on his career.
Among the projects that established Reidy as one of the great Brazilian architects are the Prefeito Mendes de Moraes Housing Complex - the Pedregulho, from 1946 -, the Marquês de São Vicente Housing Complex - Minhocão, from 1952 - and the MAM Rio, from 1953.
Affonso Reidy alongside Aldo Calvo and Carmen Portinho with the model of the MAM. Unidentified author, n.d. Source: MAM Rio
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph showing three people around an architectural model. From the left, there is a man in a black suit with a tie, followed by another man in a light gray suit wearing glasses, and finally a woman in a white blouse with black details. They are standing in front of an architectural model of a modern building, featuring rectangular and curved structures. In the background, there is a large image of a sky with clouds.Pedregulho, the first project of the Department of Popular Housing (DHP) of the Federal District city government, created in 1946, was implemented by Carmen Portinho and earned Affonso Reidy the first prize at the São Paulo International Biennial (1953). The MAM was the first work built in exposed concrete in the country.
Pedregulho seen from above. Photo by Felipe Varanda. Source: The Architectural Review
Image description: This is a photograph of a city with a panoramic view. On the left side, we see green areas and scattered buildings. As the view moves to the right, more buildings and roads become visible. In the background, there is a hill covered with green vegetation. In the distance, a large stadium can be seen. The entire scene is illuminated by bright sunlight, and the sky appears clear blue.Beyond his important architectural projects, Reidy was part of the team that, under the leadership of Lucio Costa and with Le Corbusier (1887-1965) as a consultant, carried out the design of the Ministry of Education and Health - MES, the Gustavo Capanema Building, and he was also part of the commission that chose the site of the new capital (1954).
Reidy died in 1964, at the age of 55.
