Architect Maria João Andrade – MJARC

Today, we shine a spotlight on our architect Maria João Andrade, co-founder of the studio MJARC Arquitetos Associados. Discover her professional journey, her most remarkable projects, and her insights 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 healthcare project: the Nordeal Medical Center, which was awarded the European “40 Under 40” prize.

“All the research I carried out, as well as my direct contact with patients and medical staff, allowed me to understand early on the importance of architecture for the well-being of both patients and the entire healthcare team…

Environmental issues have always been among my concerns, and for that reason, I focused on the life cycle of a building, the longevity of its materials, and the adaptability of its structure in light of technological advances in medicine. It was a project that gave me immense pleasure to develop and led to significant personal and professional growth.”

• Architect Maria João Andrade

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

“Being part of this list of 40 European architects with outstanding work was a great honor. It was with immense satisfaction that I received this award, which recognized the work I have developed. At the same time, this award also represented an opportunity to share ideas and discuss emerging topics in architecture, not only with my clients but also with a broader audience.”

• Architect Maria João Andrade

Another notable work was the Casa Vale do Douro, which is located in the middle of a forested area. “The main concern was to integrate it as much as possible, so that it would go unnoticed by anyone on the river or on the other side of the mountain and would not be visible. I am passionate about the Douro landscape, and the challenge was to minimize the impact of this building as much as possible. Various strategies were used, namely chromatic, volumetric, and with the and with a green roof, it was possible for the building to become truly difficult to locate from those perspectives.” See here the interview with architect Maria João for Idealista.

A more recent project is the Riverside Condominium, a building about 20 years old, abandoned, and that stood out in the landscape of Santa Comba Dão. This recently completed project has already received several international awards, including Muse Platinum Design Award 2024 and Loop Design Award . The rehabilitation of this building aimed to preserve the existing structure rather than simply demolish and start over.. It was possible to retain more than 90% of the original structure, including beams, columns, and slabs, as well as 75% of the original core, resulting in embodied carbon savings that align with the sustainable building practices that guided the project.

“We really have to feel happy and fulfilled in the rehabilitationand revitalization of existing buildings because there is a lot of construction and many abandoned buildings. We truly need to give new life to so many buildings that stand out in the landscape of our country and are waiting for a new purpose. Recycling is not just about our household waste; we have to recycle and make use of existing buildings, and in doing so, we reduce our carbon footprint.”

• Architect Maria João Andrade

How to integrate ethics and architecture?

“In my work, particularly in a project, ethics is reflected in my thinking about the impacts on the planet, on people, and on animals, as well as on the return on investment. This does not mean that I need to trade them off. Thinking about the sustainability of a project, its positive and negative impacts, will help me to enhance its value, taking into account all its risks and opportunities.

I believe in who I am, the ethical standards that guide me and that I affirm throughout my professional career, as well as in the relationships I build with everything around me.”

• Architect Maria João Andrade

What important lesson can be learned for the success of a project?

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

• Architect Maria João Andrade