Location: Porto, Portugal
Architect: Álvaro Siza Vieira
Model Scale: 1: 100
Year: 1986 – 1994
The University of Porto plays a leading role in the world’s architectural landscape, always being among the first in the rankings and counting on great architects such as Eduardo Souto de Moura (Pritzker 2011), Fernando Távora and Álvaro Siza Vieira (Pritzker 1992).
Built between 1986 and 1994 by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza, a former student of the school, the work comprises 10 different volumes, each with its own personality, but which find a common identity through color, opacity and constructive solutions.
The school’s original program included classrooms for 500 students, an auditorium, administration, an exhibition hall and a library. The architect decided to divide this program into separate buildings. In the southern part, overlooking the Douro river, classrooms and workshops were located. A striking feature of Siza’s work, which masterfully frames the views he wants the viewer to appreciate, is strongly highlighted in this project and, above all, in the volumes of the classrooms. These volumes, whose project activity lacks inspiration, have a strong relationship with the natural environment of the city of Porto. It is precisely in these openings, together with the sun shades, that Siza creates the differentiation and movement between the volumes.
