The experience of the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Service in São Paulo: the restoration of the Santo Antônio ranch and chapel, 1940-1947

Abstract

Among the pioneer examples of architectural heritage preservation works, the restoration of the Santo Antônio ranch and chapel, in São Roque, represents a significant case of the activities held by architect Luis Saia, while leading the São Paulo´s regional office of the federal organ then called National Historical and Artistic Heritage Service (Sphan in portuguese), from 1945 to 1975. The architectural set, which consisted of a 17th century house and chapel and the ruins of a 19th century building, was an impressive discovery which delighted Mario de Andrade by the end of the 1930´s. However its poor conservation condition demanded urgent repair to restore its physical integrity. It presented, then, to the architects of Sphan a bigger and more complex restoration and conservation challenge whose phases and results will be subject of analysis in the present article.

Keywords

• Patrimônio arquitetônico
• preservação
• restauração
• Sphan
• Luis Saia