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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.
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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.
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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
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Casa na Coréia do Sul - 2012
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Vitrashop Factory Hall | Weil am Rhein - 2012
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Hotel Vidago Palace - 2012
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Pedras Salgadas Thermal Baths – 2012
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Edifício de Escritórios | Novartis Campus - 2012
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Amore Pacific Campus parte III - com Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu
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Amore Pacific Campus, Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu - Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
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Amore Pacific Campus - Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu | part I
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Amore Pacific Campus - Álvaro Siza with Carlos Castanheira & Kim Jong Kyu | part II
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Mimesis Museum | with Carlos Castanheira & Jun Sung Kim - 2011
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Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa – Bilbao, Spain - 2011
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University Rectory - Alicante, Spain - 1998
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Roberto Ivens House - Matosinhos, Portugal - 1961
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“Insel Hombroich” Museum - Düsseldorf, Germany - 2009
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“Moinho de papel” Museum - Leiria, Portugal - 2009
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Santo Ovídio Chapel - Lousada, Portugal - 2002
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Santo Ovídio Swimming Pool - Lousada, Portugal - 2002
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Fundação Iberê Camargo - Porto Alegre, Brasil - 2008
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Quinta do Portal - “Portal” Winery - Sabrosa, Portugal - 2008
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House in Mallorca - Palma de Mallorca, Spain - 2008
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ISQ Headquarters, Tagus Park - Oeiras, Portugal - 2008
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Lérida University - Spain - 2008
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Gondomar Sports Complex - Portugal - 2008
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Pego House - Sintra, Portugal - 2008
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Viana do Castelo Municipal Library - Viana do Castelo, Portugal - 2008
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Leonel Building - Lisbon, Portugal - 2007
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Leça da Palmeira Master Plan - Matosinhos, Portugal - 2007
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Alvaro Siza Hall - Anyang, South Korea - 2006
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Winery Mayor - Campo Maior, Portugal - 2007
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Ribero-Serralo Sports Complex - Barcelona, Spain - 2006
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Coop. Águas Férreas, Bouça, Porto, Portugal - 2006
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House of "Camilio" - Ceide, Portugal - 2005
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Armanda Passos House - 2005
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S. Bento Porto Subway - Porto, Portugal - 2005
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Parque Atlântico - Vila do Conde, Portugal - 2005
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Terraços de Bragança Housing - Lisbon, Portugal - 2004
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"Hanover Pavilion" - Coimbra, Portugal - 2001
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Santa Maria Church de Canaveses - 1997/2006
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Faculty of Media Science - Santiago Compostela, Spain - 2001
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Serralves Foundation - 1999
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Portuguese Pavilion for Expo 98 - Lisbon, Portugal - 1998
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Architectural Office - Porto, Portugal - 1998
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Revigrés Building - Agueda, Portugal - 1997
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Vieira de Castro House - Famalicão, Portugal -1994
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Aveiro Water Tank - Aveiro, Portugal - 1990
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Aveiro University Library - Aveiro, Portugal - 1994
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Porto School of Architecture - Porto, Portugal - 1994
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Santiago de Compostela Art Centre - Santiago de Compostela, Spain - 1993
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Setúbal Teachers Training College - Setúbal, Portugal - 1993
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Barcelona Meteorological Center - Barcelona, Spain - 1992
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Borges & Irmão Bank - Vila do Conde, Portugal - 1986
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Avelino Duarte House - Portugal - 1984
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Pinto & Souto Mayor Bank - Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal - 1974
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Leça Swimming Pools - 1966
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Boa Nova Tea House - 1963
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Edifício sobre a Água (com Carlos Castanheira), China - 2014
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Saya Park (com Carlos Castanheira), Coreia do Sul - 2018
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Mausoléu Chia Ching (com Carlos Castanheira) - 2017
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Museu de Arte Contemporânea Nadir Afonso, Portugal - 2015
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Museu Chinês da Coleção de Design da Bauhaus (com Carlos Castanheira), China - 2018
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Teatro-Auditório de Llinars del Valles (com G.O.P.), Espanha, 2015
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