A honeymoon in Miami changed the trajectory for the French couple Christophe and Angelique de Oliveira. Discovering the Art Deco District and immersing themselves in that distinct, architectural universe transformed the way they travel. They founded their hotel, The Modernist, out of a deep passion for architectural tourism. When they discovered Faro and its modernist heritage, their purpose crystallised. They realised that exploring a destination through its architecture offers an escape from mass tourism and tourist traps. Today, they work to position Faro as a European destination for architectural tourism. As Chris puts it, “You connect with the history of the place, understand how people lived, how they adapted to climate and culture, and how their identity is reflected in buildings. It becomes a much deeper and more meaningful way to travel.”
An Overlooked Legacy
Between 1950 and 1980, the Algarve became a laboratory of modern architecture, with several hundred modernist buildings constructed across the region. For Chris and Angie, this period was not simply an architectural footnote, but a defining layer of Faro’s identity. It was a blend of local traditions, tropical influences from Latin America and international modernist principles, “almost as if local architects were dialoguing with figures like Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier,” Chris says. He adds, “We believe architectural and cultural tourism brings greater long-term value. It creates differentiation, attracts more conscious travellers, and builds a more sustainable model. Most importantly, cultural heritage is not relocatable. Faro’s modernist architecture belongs here and nowhere else.” What they saw in Faro was not nostalgia, but an opportunity to reposition the city through the buildings that were already there.
Design Without Compromise
The building that now houses The Modernist was commissioned in the 1970s by a Lisbon-based family seeking a commercial space with a holiday apartment. The family turned to their modernist church architect, Joel Santana of the Igreja da Sagrada Família do Calhariz de Benfica, to design it. The renovation preserved approximately seventy-five percent of the original configuration. “We restored it using the same philosophy, materials and spirit, while integrating contemporary comfort. The idea was not to create a new story, but to reveal and protect the original one,” Chris explains, allowing guests to experience 1970s Faro modernism with today’s comfort standards. The couple collaborated with the award-winning architecture studio Plataforma de Arquitetura (PAR) and Joana & Mariana Design.
The Modernist’s philosophy rests on three principles: design, simplicity and authenticity. While many hotels follow global trends inspired by metropolises such as Paris, New York, and Tokyo, Chris and Angie focus exclusively on Faro’s modernism. Their aim is not simply to run a hotel, but to educate, encourage homeowners to preserve modernist buildings and showcase Faro’s architectural heritage to the world.
Every element in the hotel, from furniture to materials and decorative features, has been made in Portugal, mostly in the Algarve, by local artisans. The interiors follow modernist principles of functionality, clarity and integrity of materials. Simplicity is achieved by stripping back to only what is necessary. The palette is deliberately restrained, built around shades of green and red as a nod to Portugal. “You may love our design or dislike it, and that is intentional. It is a strong identity, not a compromise,” Chris says.
Where Modernism Meets Community
Beyond the rooms, they have created a community of modernism enthusiasts. Each November, The Modernist Weekend gathers architecture lovers from around the world for tours, talks and open-house events. “Watching people from different countries, who have never met before, instantly connect through a shared passion for architecture is something truly special. A genuine community forms in just a few days,” they explain.
The hotel’s core guests are architects, designers and design enthusiasts. Many speak of its authenticity and sense of calm. There are no televisions in the rooms, a deliberate choice to encourage guests to disconnect, reduce distractions and reconnect with themselves. “Many tell us they feel inspired here, more creative, more reflective.” To further share Faro’s architectural story, they created the book The Modernist Architecture Walking Tour, featuring curated routes covering nearly 500 modernist buildings across the city. “It offers a completely different way to understand and discover the city, almost like a local,” they say.
Continuing the Dialogue
What began as a personal discovery of two travellers falling deeper in love with architecture has now grown into a long-term commitment to redefining how Faro is seen and experienced. In a region defined by sun, sea and nightlife, Chris and Angie see cultural tourism as an alternative model. The Modernist operates with solar panels, avoids single-use plastics and features a dry garden planted with drought-resistant local species. “Since travel already generates CO2, it is our responsibility to reduce it as much as possible within the hotel,” Chris says.
In 2026, Chris and Angie plan to open a second unit near Faro Beach and Faro Airport, another project rooted in architecture and Portuguese lifestyle while remaining true to their modernist DNA. For now, details remain under wraps, but the direction is clear: The Modernist is less about expansion for its own sake and more about continuing a dialogue between place, history and design.
Contact Information
Angelique de Oliveira, Owner of The Modernist
+33 6 58 07 95 97
Christophe de Oliveira, Owner of The Modernist
+33 6 24 78 58 74