Architect Maria João Andrade – MJARC

Today we highlight our architect Maria João Andrade, co-founder of the studio MJARC Arquitetos Associados. Discover his professional career, his most notable projects and his opinions on the world of architecture.

The starting point, the pioneering project…

Graduated in Architecture from ESAP in Porto in 2006, she presented her final thesis with a hospital project: the Nordal Medical Center health unit, which was awarded the European 40 under 40 award.

“All the research I carried out as well as my direct contact with patients and clinical staff allowed me to understand from an early age the importance of architecture for the well-being of patients and the entire team…

Environmental issues have always been part of my concerns and for this reason I think about the life cycle of a building, the longevity of its materials, the adaptability of its structure taking into account technological advances in medicine. It was a job that gave me great pleasure and that led to great personal and professional growth.”

-Architect Maria João Andrade

In 2021, she was the only Portuguese architect to be distinguished with the “Europe 40 Under 40” award. What did this award mean?

“Being part of this list of 40 European architects with magnificent works was a great honor. And it was with great satisfaction that I received this award that recognized the work developed. At the same time, this award also represented an opportunity to share ideas and debate emerging themes in architecture, not only with my clients, but with a wider audience.”

-Architect Maria João Andrade

Another notable work was  Douro Valley House, which is located in the middle of a forest area. “The concern was to integrate it as much as possible, so that it would go unnoticed by anyone who was on the river or on the other side of the mountain and couldn’t see it. I am passionate about the Douro landscape and the challenge was to try to minimize the impact of this building as much as possible.  Several strategies were used, namely chromatic, volumetric and with the garden roof, it was possible for the building to be really difficult to locate from these perspectives.” See here the interview with architect Maria João for Idealista

A more recent project is the Riverside Condominium, a building around 20 years old, vacant and that punctuated the Santa Comba Dão Landscape. This recently completed project has already received some international awards, namely MusePlatinum Design Award 2024 and Loop Design Award. The rehabilitation of this building aimed to preserve the existing building rather than simply demolishing it and starting over. It was possible to maintain more than 90% of the original structure, including beams, columns and slabs and 75% of the original core, resulting in embodied carbon savings, which aligns with the sustainable construction practices that guided the project.

• -Architect  Maria João Andrade

“We really have to feel happy and fulfilled in the rehabilitation and requalification of existing buildings, because there is a lot of construction and vacant buildings. We really have to give new life to so many buildings that dot the landscape of our country and that await a new life. Recycling is not just about our household waste, we have to recycle and use existing buildings and we are reducing our carbon footprint.”

– Architect Maria João Andrade

How to integrate ethics and architecture?

“In my activity, particularly in a project, ethics is reflected in my thinking about the impacts on the planet, people and animals, as well as the return on investment. That doesn’t mean I need to change them. Thinking about the sustainability of a project, its positive and negative impacts, will help me value it, taking into account all its risks and opportunities.

I believe in who I am, the ethical standards that guide me and that I have affirmed throughout my professional career and also in the relationship I establish with everything that surrounds me.”

-Architect Maria João Andrade

What is an important lesson to learn for the success of a project?

“I believe it is very important to be involved from the beginning with a highly creative and dedicated “team” (clients, consultants, contractors, among others). Trust, communication and complementarity are very important factors for designing a successful project.”

-Architect Maria João Andrade