Álvaro Siza Archive, 1945-2024
Álvaro SizaArchitecture and design collections and archives
This archive gathers 40 architectural projects conceived by Álvaro Siza Vieira, one of the most esteemed contemporary Portuguese architects.
Among these projects, carried out between 1945 and 2024, stand out the design of the Portugal Pavilion for Expo 98, the Santa Maria Church and Parish Centre in Marco de Canaveses (1990–1996), and the University of Aveiro Library (1988–1995).
In 2015, the architect Siza Vieira donated his professional archive to three institutions, namely the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the Serralves Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The portion of the archive donated to the Foundation was transferred from his studio in November 2016 and incorporated into the documentary collection of the Art Library.
This Archive comprises 40 nationally and internationally significant projects (approximately 56,000 documents), produced between 1945 and 2024. Among them are the Escola Superior de Educação de Setúbal (1986–1994); the Santa Maria Church and Parish Centre in Marco de Canaveses (1990–1996); the Terraços de Bragança housing, services and commercial complex in Lisbon (1991–2004); the Portugal Pavilion for Expo 98; and the University of Aveiro Library (1988–1995).
The collection also includes works created for activities of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, such as the exhibition stands representing it at the Frankfurt (1997) and Paris (1998) Book Fairs, and the set design for the ballet Quatro Árias de Ópera, performed by the Gulbenkian Ballet (1996).
Álvaro Joaquim de Melo Siza Vieira (b. 1933) is one of the most prestigious contemporary Portuguese architects. Over a long and distinguished career, his work has been extensively recognised. Among his many accolades are the Pritzker Prize (1992); the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects (2009); the UIA Gold Medal from the International Union of Architects (2011); the “Leone d’oro alla Carriera na Biennale di Venezia” (2012); and the National Architecture Award of Spain (2019) — he was the first non‑Spanish architect to receive it.
More information
- Collection Code:
- AAS
- Dimensions:
- 40 architectural projects (approximately 56,000 documents)
- Incorporation date:
- 2015
- Conservation status:
- Average
- Processing status:
- Processed
- Digitisation status:
- Digitised
- Accessibility:
- Accessible
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Terms and Conditions
Copyright on documents
The Foundation is not the owner of the content of the copyright on the documents included in this collection but is contractually authorised by the respective owner(s) to authorise the re-use of the originals or copies of these documents, provided that this re-use is intended for study, research and scientific, cultural and artistic dissemination.
Copyright on objects (works of art, architectural works, etc.) documented
The Foundation does not own the content of the copyright on the works of intellectual creation that may be represented in the documents included in this collection.
Personality rights / Including personal data
This collection includes documents containing personal data, the processing of which is regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation and other legislation protecting personality rights.