Pedregulho Housing Complex

The Pedregulho Housing Complex is located on a hill called Pedregulho, from which it takes its name. It was followed by other public housing works by Reidy, which included the Gávea Residential Unit (1952) and the Armando Gonzaga Theater in the planned neighborhood of Marechal Hermes (1950). The principles and aesthetics of Le Corbusier are evident in the buildings; the curved lines, undulating designs, arches, and domes recall the design of Oscar Niemeyer's Pampulha project in Belo Horizonte.[1][2]

The main apartment building consists of a long, serpentine block suspended above pilotis. 272 units are placed on seven stories. Reidy attempted to provide a view of Guanabara Bay from each apartment unit. The single entrance to the building is via two gangplanks that lead to the third floor; its location at the middle of the building mitigated the need for elevators. The first and second floor consist of single-level studio apartments with a view to the city. The third floor is reserved for administrative offices, a children's theater, nursery, and kindergarten. The upper levels contain two-story family units accessed from the fourth and sixth floors; the main living quarters are on the lower level and bedrooms on the upper level.[1][3]

Two smaller apartment blocks sit below the main apartment building to the south. These consist of duplex apartments and open to Rua Lopes Trovão.[3]

The complex, in its original form, included a public services building, shopping center, children's garden, nursery, primary school, sports courts, gymnasium, swimming pool, and health center. The gymnasium strongly resembles the parabolic structure of Niemeyer's Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Pampulha. Like the church at Pampulha it features a large-scale azulejo mosaic by Candido Portinari on its street-facing façade.[1][3]

The Pedregulho Housing Complex was well received at the time of its completion. It won first prize at the International Architecture Competition at the 1st Biennial of São Paulo in 1951.[4] It was admired by European architects, notably Max Bill in 1953 and by Le Corbusier during his tour of Brazil in 1962.[1] The architect and writer Alfredo Britto considers the complex "one of the great symbols of Brazilian modern architecture."[5][6]

The housing complex of Pedregulho suffers from great dilapidation and its current condition has been described as "favela-like."[6] In contrast, the school, gymnasium, and swimming pool of the complex retain their original purpose and remain in good condition. The azuleijo mosaic by Portinari remains in its original condition. The complex was registered as a cultural property in 2011 by the State of Rio de Janeiro.[7]