Nestled amongst the academic heart of Porto, the Bairro Sidónio Pais whispers stories of a bygone era. The Bairro Sidónio Pais isn’t just a collection of houses. It’s a testament to a nation grappling with social and economic upheaval in the wake of World War I. Bairro Sidónio Pais emerged from the vision of providing affordable housing for the working class. Its construction, initiated in 1918, spanned over a decade, finally reaching completion in 1930. The project, originally intended to comprise 100 homes, was part of a national initiative spurred by the 1918 Decree No. 4137, which aimed to improve housing standards and affordability.
The Bairro Sidónio Pais stands as a unique blend of architectural styles. One hundred homes, a mix of single-story and two-story structures, line the streets. The neighborhood is divided into two rectangular blocks with truncated corners. A row of houses extends along Rua Professor José Valente and Rua de Entrecampos. The variety in housing types, classified from A to D, is evident in their distinct architectural features. Some boast articulated volumes with roofs of varying pitches. Others feature wide eaves supported by wooden brackets resting on parallelepiped stone corbels. Many have utilized the attic space. The facades, plastered and painted in a palette of light colors – blue, green, white, pink, yellow, or gray – add to the charm. Each house has a backyard and a small front garden enclosed by a low wall.
The Bairro Sidónio Pais was born from a need to address the housing crisis faced by workers in Porto. Its construction was overseen by Joaquim Gaudêncio Rodrigues Pacheco, a civil and mining engineer appointed by the government. Initially named after President Sidónio Pais, the neighborhood was later renamed Bairro da Arrábida, reflecting its location near Monte da Arrábida. The land, originally used for agriculture and owned by Eduardo Honório de Lima, was expropriated for the project. The site was bordered by the land of Gustavo Bermester and António Joaquim Gomes de Azevedo to the north. It was also bordered by a service road for Azevedo’s land to the east, Rua de Entre Campos to the south, and Viela da Arrábida to the west.
Despite the ambitious plan of 100 homes, only 35 were completed by 1918. Construction continued in stages, with groups of 10, 9, and 8 houses finished in subsequent years. By December 7, 1925, 98 homes were complete. The final two were handed over in 1930. The completed Bairro Sidónio Pais, along with surrounding undeveloped land, was entrusted to the Direcção Geral da Fazenda Pública in March 1926. Even after completion, the Bairro Sidónio Pais required ongoing maintenance. Repairs were carried out in 1924 and again between 1931 and 1933. Part of house number 14 had to be rebuilt in 1930. The Estado Novo regime later criticized the project for its ongoing maintenance costs, deeming it “anti-economic.” They contrasted it with their concept of “economic houses” for poor families, emphasizing simplicity and traditional Portuguese design.
Today, the Bairro Sidónio Pais, surrounded by the University of Porto’s buildings, stands as a reminder of a time of social and architectural innovation. It reflects the challenges and triumphs of a city striving to provide housing for its people amidst a rapidly changing world.