Portuguese Architects

When talking about Portuguese architects, many names come to mind. However, there are many others who are worth highlighting and mentioning for their work done outside of Portugal.

Alongside Álvaro Siza Vieira, an unmistakable name in Portuguese architecture and which we will talk about next, there are other Portuguese architects who stand out for their irreverent projects. Besides Portugal, the architects mentioned in this list have works in other countries such as France, Holland, Germany or China.

From the key names in Portuguese architecture to the new generation of architects, there are professionals who deserve to be distinguished and recognized for all of their work. Want to know what they are? Keep reading our article!

When talking about Portuguese architecture, it is impossible not to mention Álvaro Siza Vieira, a native of Matosinhos, because he is the most awarded Portuguese architect in the history of architecture in Portugal.

Among his awards are:

But much more than his awards, what stands out in the career of this 88-year-old architect are his works, which have become a milestone for Portuguese architecture.

Some of the projects are:

Recently, in early 2021, Álvaro Siza Vieira, his project with Cor Arquitetos in Gallarate, Italy, was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Architecture Awards.

Another notable name in Portuguese architecture is Gonçalo Byrne. With an extensive portfolio, with works in Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Gonçalo Byrne Arquitectos has a generalist, multidisciplinary and convergent architecture. Therefore, in addition to architecture, there are areas from engineering to landscaping, as well as sustainability and archeology, which contribute to the many successful projects of this studio.

Among his projects, the highlights are the Seat of the Government of the Province Vlaams-Brabant in Leuven, Belgium, the Reconversion of the Estoi Palace into a Pousada, Algarve

and the Casa nel Parco, Jesolo, Venice, Italy.

In 2016, this architect created Diogo Aguiar Studio in Porto, in which he brings together a team that creates projects recognized abroad.

This architect develops bespoke buildings and interiors and special installations, oscillating between public and private contexts. The main objective of the studio is centered on the creation of engaging and sensorially appealing spaces.

The emerging practice has been honored with several publications and nominations for international awards. In 2018, the studio was selected to be part of

the official representation of Portugal at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale – Público Sem Retórica.

The brothers Manuel and Francisco Aires Mateus, who brought the Aires Mateus office to life, have the EDP headquarters in Lisbon on their to-do list. However, his work has crossed borders, having for example created the Center de Création Contemporaine Olivier Debré, in Tours, France.

In 2016, the design of this architecture firm in France was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe architecture awards, a surprise for Manuel Aires Mateus who, at the time, told Diário de Notícias that he acted as “the first construction” carried out outside Portugal.

Similar to what happened in 2016, the Aires Mateus brothers’ studio has two of its projects nominated for the same architecture awards.

One of them, by Manuel Aires Mateus and Vincent Parreira, is in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. The other came from the hands of Francisco and Manuel Aires Mateus: a house in Monsaraz.

This architect from Lisbon has several awards to his credit. Among these awards are the Chevalier des Arts Et Des Lettres, by the French Republic in 2010, and the Pessoa Prize, in 2008.

His most emblematic works are:

From the key names in Portuguese architecture to the new generation of architects, there are professionals who deserve to be distinguished and recognized for all of their work. Want to know what they are? Keep reading our article!

Recognized by the European 40 Under 40 award, which highlights the next generation of European architects and designers, as well as by the global architectural community, MJARC Arquitetos uses environmentally sustainable materials and construction methods .

Furthermore, it uses a holistic approach and attention to detail with the aim of providing sustainable architecture, combining low-tech and high-tech solutions to minimize the carbon footprint. Above all, this is done without losing sight of aesthetics, something that makes architecture durable, long-lasting and timeless.

For the projects to be a success, there is a creative and dedicated team that involves clients and designers, consultants, contractors, suppliers, among others. All this happens on the basis of a relationship of trust that results from the union of people’s minds. As a result, beauty emerges and the happiness of achieving a goal is the great reward of this whole process.

Curious? Discover all the architectural projects of MJARC Arquitetos and let yourself be charmed by their work.