Álvaro Siza, between Modern and Traditional
Álvaro Siza, between Modern and Traditional
Álvaro Joaquim de Melo Siza Vieira, or simply Álvaro Siza, was born in Matosinhos, Portugal, on June 25, 1933. His first work – four houses in Matosinhos – was built in 1954, even before completing his studies at the School of Fine Arts from the University of Porto (current Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto – FAUP), which happened a year later.
An interesting aspect of Siza’s trajectory is his initial interest in sculpture. This specificity runs through all his architectural work and gives it a certain uniqueness. Perceived by many as a continuation of principles of modernism, it is really possible to see in his work the influence of one of the greatest modern pioneers: Alvar Aalto.
His work is also considered by many to be an example of what Kenneth Frampton called critical regionalism; and, in fact, one can see in his buildings a sensitivity towards traditional construction techniques and the spirit of the context.
The relationship between nature and construction is decisive in architecture. This relationship, a permanent feature of any project, is to me a kind of obsession; it was always decisive in the course of history, and yet, today tends towards gradual extinction. — Álvaro Siza
Siza’s architecture escapes precise definition: it is somehow both modern and traditional; sensitive to place and yet demanding of the sensitivity of its user.
Siza’s early interest in sculpture is clearly reflected in his buildings; indeed, their sculptural quality was commented upon by the 1992 Pritzker jury who named Siza Laureate: “his shapes, molded by light, have a deceptive simplicity about them; they are honest”.
Try as we might to describe and frame his work, words are not enough; only by visiting and experiencing his sculpted spaces can you come to an understanding of Siza’s architecture.
The following is a list of the most inspiring works of Álvaro Siza, beautifully captured by the photographs by Fernando Guerra.
House in South Korea – 2012
Casa na Coréia do Sul – 2012
Vitrashop Factory Hall | Weil am Rhein – 2012
Hotel Vidago Palace – 2012
Pedras Salgadas Thermal Baths – 2012
Edifício de Escritórios | Novartis Campus – 2012
Amore Pacific Campus parte III – com Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu
Amore Pacific Campus, Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu – Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
Amore Pacific Campus – Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu | part I
Amore Pacific Campus – Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu | part II
Mimesis Museum | with Carlos Castanheira & Jun Sung Kim – 2011
Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa – Bilbao, Spain – 2011
University Rectory – Alicante, Spain – 1998
Roberto Ivens House – Matosinhos, Portugal – 1961
“Insel Hombroich” Museum – Düsseldorf, Germany – 2009
“Moinho de papel” Museum – Leiria, Portugal – 2009
Santo Ovídio Chapel – Lousada, Portugal – 2002
Santo Ovídio Swimming Pool – Lousada, Portugal – 2002
Fundação Iberê Camargo – Porto Alegre, Brasil – 2008
Quinta do Portal – “Portal” Winery – Sabrosa, Portugal – 2008
House in Mallorca – Palma de Mallorca, Spain – 2008
ISQ Headquarters, Tagus Park – Oeiras, Portugal – 2008
Lérida University – Spain – 2008
Gondomar Sports Complex – Portugal – 2008
Pego House – Sintra, Portugal – 2008
Viana do Castelo Municipal Library – Viana do Castelo, Portugal – 2008
Leonel Building – Lisbon, Portugal – 2007
Leça da Palmeira Master Plan – Matosinhos, Portugal – 2007
Alvaro Siza Hall – Anyang, South Korea – 2006
Winery Mayor – Campo Maior, Portugal – 2007
Ribero-Serralo Sports Complex – Barcelona, Spain – 2006
Coop. Águas Férreas, Bouça, Porto, Portugal – 2006
House of “Camilio” – Ceide, Portugal – 2005
Armanda Passos House – 2005
S. Bento Porto Subway – Porto, Portugal – 2005
Parque Atlântico – Vila do Conde, Portugal – 2005
Terraços de Bragança Housing – Lisbon, Portugal – 2004
“Hanover Pavilion” – Coimbra, Portugal – 2001
Santa Maria Church de Canaveses – 1997/2006
Faculty of Media Science – Santiago Compostela, Spain – 2001
Serralves Foundation – 1999
Portuguese Pavilion for Expo 98 – Lisbon, Portugal – 1998
Architectural Office – Porto, Portugal – 1998
Revigrés Building – Agueda, Portugal – 1997
Vieira de Castro House – Famalicão, Portugal -1994
Aveiro Water Tank – Aveiro, Portugal – 1990
Aveiro University Library – Aveiro, Portugal – 1994
Porto School of Architecture – Porto, Portugal – 1994
Santiago de Compostela Art Centre – Santiago de Compostela, Spain – 1993
Setúbal Teachers Training College – Setúbal, Portugal – 1993
Barcelona Meteorological Center – Barcelona, Spain – 1992
Borges & Irmão Bank – Vila do Conde, Portugal – 1986
Avelino Duarte House – Portugal – 1984
Pinto & Souto Mayor Bank – Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal – 1974
Leça Swimming Pools – 1966
Boa Nova Tea House – 1963
Edifício sobre a Água (com Carlos Castanheira), China – 2014
Saya Park (com Carlos Castanheira), Coreia do Sul – 2018
Mausoléu Chia Ching (com Carlos Castanheira) – 2017
Museu de Arte Contemporânea Nadir Afonso, Portugal – 2015
Museu Chinês da Coleção de Design da Bauhaus (com Carlos Castanheira), China – 2018
Teatro-Auditório de Llinars del Valles (com G.O.P.), Espanha, 2015
