Author Description

"An extended, updated version of the monograph published in 2003 by Electaarchitettura about the work of the Portuguese architect. The book opens with a transcription of a conversation between Souto de Mura, Álvaro Siza and Fernando Tavora, the first two being pupils of the latter, all three of whom are linked by a unique fellowship underlying their design experience, nourished by the same cultural substratum, but with different results. After this, there are essays by Leoni and Esposito, followed by the designs and buildings, arranged in chapters with different themes. Each chapter is introduced by writings by the Portuguese architect, with the aim of illustrating the content. These texts, supported by historical and critical contributions, make it possible to appreciate the poetic and ideological motivations lying behind the work of the subject of the book. The final chapter focuses on the works completed by the architect since 2003, year of the first publication of the book, up to the present day. Some of the most interesting projects are the two single-family villas at Ponte de Lima, the tower for the Burgo commercial building in Boavista, the Contemporary Art Center at Bragança, the Casa del Cinema Manoel de Oliveira in Porto, the city stadium at Braga, the new metro stations in Porto, the Paula Rego Museum at Cascais, and the Kortrijk crematorium in Belgium. The book has a complete register of works, a biography and a bibliography and is illustrated by photographs taken specially for the publication by Alessandra Chemollo and Fulvio Orsenigo. The book examines every facet of the personality of this protagonist of contemporary architecture and offers considerable scope for understanding the reasons behind the success which Portuguese design culture has enjoyed in recent years"--Publiarq: publicaciones arquitectura y arte Materia.