Sharif S. Kahatt

This essay intends to identify the fundamental ideas in the synthesis of the work of José Luis Sert, one of the most important architects of the 20th century. This is done throughout a study of his urban and architectural ideas which shaped Peabody Terrace Housing Complex.
This project embodies ideas such as minimum dwelling units and their organization in compact and austere blocks, the display of generous open public spaces for collective gatherings, and an urban project that integrates the complex with the city. These ideas altogether reveal that the project was not only designed to fulfill its specific aim, but also to create a mass housing prototype for the modern city. Therefore, the goal of this essay is to examine Peabody Terrace Housing Complex in its architectural, urban and landscape dimensions, from its initial thoughts to its materialization, inquiring for the ideals and duties of architecture, according to its primary author: José Luis Sert.
Key words: José Luis Sert, collective housing, public space, urban design.

	Resumen La construcción del ideal urbano. Peabody Terrace y la síntesis de la arquitectura y el urbanismo en la obra de José Luis Sert.
	Este ensayo busca identificar las ideas fundamentales en la síntesis de la obra de José Luis Sert -uno de los más importantes arquitectos del siglo XX- a través de un recorrido por las teorías e ideas arquitectónicas y urbanas que han dado forma al conjunto de vivienda Peabody Terrace. La utilización de la unidad mínima de vivienda, la organización de éstas en bloques compactos y austeros, el despliegue de amplios espacios públicos para reunión y beneficio colectivo, y su propuesta urbana en busca de la integración con la ciudad nos llevan a pensar que esta propuesta urbano-arquitectónica no sólo se proyectó resolviendo su fin específico, sino que, además, se hizo pensando en el ideal de un conjunto de vivienda colectiva que sirviera de prototipo para el desarrollo urbano. Por ello, el objetivo de este ensayo es analizar el conjunto de viviendas Peabody Terrace en sus dimensiones arquitectónica, urbana y paisajista, desde su concepción hasta su materialización, indagando por las tareas e ideales de la arquitectura de acuerdo con su principal autor: José Luis Sert. Palabras claves: José Luis Sert, vivienda colectiva, espacios públicos, diseño urbano.

	Abstract The urban ideal construction: Peabody Terrace and the synthesis of architecture and urbanism in the works of José Luis Sert.
	This essay intends to identify the fundamental ideas in the synthesis of the work of José Luis Sert, one of the most important architects of the 20th century. This is done throughout a study of his urban and architectural ideas which shaped Peabody Terrace Housing Complex. This project embodies ideas such as minimum dwelling units and their organization in compact and austere blocks, the display of generous open public spaces for collective gatherings, and an urban project that integrates the complex with the city. These ideas altogether reveal that the project was not only designed to fulfill its specific aim, but also to create a mass housing prototype for the modern city. Therefore, the goal of this essay is to examine Peabody Terrace Housing Complex in its architectural, urban and landscape dimensions, from its initial thoughts to its materialization, inquiring for the ideals and duties of architecture, according to its primary author: José Luis Sert. Key words: José Luis Sert, collective housing, public space, urban design.