Educational architecture as cultural space: structuralist influences in the work of Hestnes Ferreira

Résumé

This article explores the cultural and architectural significance of the José Gomes Ferreira Secondary School (JGFSS) in Lisbon, designed by Raúl Hestnes Ferreira, through the lens of Dutch structuralism and the humanist theories of Herman Hertzberger. More than an educational facility, the school is conceived as a civic and cultural microcosm—an adaptable urban fabric that fosters community interaction, symbolic meaning, and spatial versatility. Drawing on key structuralist principles such as Hertzberger’s “architecture as a half-product,” Aldo van Eyck’s polyvalent space, and John Habraken’s “Supports” theory, the study situates the school within a broader European discourse on architecture’s social role. It also reflects on Ferreira’s formative 1974 study trip to Scandinavia, which reinforced his commitment to human-centred design and spatial openness. The findings highlight the school’s enduring relevance as a model of culturally engaged architecture, where modularity, symbolism, and social adaptability converge to create a space that transcends its educational function and contributes to the cultural identity of its community.