Archinect - News

Álvaro Siza completes sculptural extension to Porto monastery

2024-05-09T17:24:00-04:00

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza has completed an extension to the Monastery of Leça do Balio outside Porto, Portugal.

The recently renovated monastery will now serve as the headquarters for the Livraria Lello Foundation, offering a space for “exhibitions that will champion literacy and critical thinking.”

Photo: Alexandre Delmar

Located near Siza’s hometown of Matosinhos, the scheme draws on the architect’s early childhood dreams of being a sculptor. Among the contributions by Siza to the extension is a stand-alone sculpture ‘Viandante’ which acts as a “poetic tribute to the pilgrim’s journey, offering a serene space for visitors to reflect and forge deeper connections.”

Photo: Alexandre Delmar

The extension, due to open on June 22, follows weeks after Siza's self-named Serralves Museum expansion in Porto opened to the public. The 45,000-square-foot expansion is the fifth building designed by Siza for the Serralves Foundation after the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Ar...

Four Pritzker Prize-winning architects have recently designed watches

2024-03-28T11:00:00-04:00

There are countless examples of architects expanding beyond buildings and architecture to engage with product design. This month alone, for example, our news coverage has included a swirling whisky bottle designed by a Zaha Hadid Architects director, a lighting product range by Snøhetta, and a series of biophilic design products by ecoLogicStudio.

In particular, the fashion industry has played host to several intriguing collaborations with big architectural names. Late last year, Frank Gehry collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a handbag for Art Basel Miami Beach one year after Louis Vuitton’s Peter Marino collaboration while, in 2022, Amale Andraos debuted a jewelry collection for Judith Ripka. To further explore this relationship between architecture, product, and fashion, we have rounded up four recent examples of notable architects engaging in the design of watches.

Tambour Moon Tourbillon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire. Image credit: Louis Vuitton

Frank Gehry for Louis Vuitton: Tambou...

Álvaro Siza's self-named Serralves Museum expansion opens in Portugal

2024-02-19T12:28:00-05:00

The Serralves Foundation in Porto, Portugal, has shared photos of its recently inaugurated new wing designed by and named for the country’s beloved Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Álvaro Siza.

The 45,000-square-foot expansion is the fifth building designed by Siza for the foundation after the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art (1999), Manoel de Oliveira Cinema House (2019), Gardeners’ House (2021), and the restored Serralves Art Déco Villa (2021).

"With a wing dedicated to the Permanent Collection and Architecture, the Serralves Museum is more than ever an institution where the present is fully activated and where the recent past is settled and decanted. It allows the institution to fully take responsibility for its history and legacy, as well as for its role as the leading institution in Portugal dedicated to the history and the present of contemporary art and culture," Director Philippe Vergne stated.

Photo: FG+SG

The new wing was realized in Serralves Park to the western side...

Álvaro Siza’s first U.S. building completes in New York City

2022-06-01T20:16:00-04:00

New photos have been released of Álvaro Siza’s completed 611 West 56th Street, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect’s first designed building in the United States.

The 35-story luxury condo tower in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood stands 450 feet tall and consists of 77 residences. The project was jointly developed by Sumaida + Khurana and LENY.

Photo: João Morgado

The monolithic tower is wrapped in Perla Bianca limestone, which is accentuated by a subtle tiling pattern throughout the façade.

New York City-based practice Gabellini Sheppard Associates designed the building’s interiors.

Photo: João Morgado

In a 2019 NYT interview, the (then) 86-year-old Siza shared his response to winning the commission for 611 W 56th Street. "I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan. Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I w...

New photos of Álvaro Siza's first U.S. building in NYC

2019-12-10T15:00:00-05:00

Archinect has received new photos of 611 West 56th Street, the first state-side building by Portuguese architect and 1992 Pritzker Prize winner, Álvaro Siza.

Currently under construction in Manhattan, the 37-story luxury condo tower is being jointly developed by Sumaida + Khurana (the group behind Tadao Ando's first New York City project at 152 Elizabeth Street) and LENY.

Photo: João Morgado

In a recent NYT interview, the 86-year-old Siza shared his response to winning this commission. "I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan. Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I was very happy to be invited and thought, 'Well, let’s see if I still have energy for this project.'"

Photo: João Morgado

"Located at 823 11th Avenue at the corner of 56th Street in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, 611 West 56th Street measures 172,000 SF, over 450 feet tall and to be 37 stories," explai...

Álvaro Siza on realizing his first U.S. building at 86

2019-08-30T18:43:00-04:00

“I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to build in Manhattan,” said Mr. Siza, 86. “Now, at my age, I thought I had lost the opportunity. I was very happy to be invited and thought, ‘Well, let’s see if I still have energy for this project.’”

The NYT writes about the first project opportunity in the United States for and by Portuguese master architect, and 1992 Pritzker Prize winner, Álvaro Siza.

The slick 37-story residential tower at 611 West 56th Street is a joint venture between Sumaida + Khurana (the developers that also realized Tadao Ando's first New York City project at 152 Elizabeth Street) and LENY.

New renderings for Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza’s first U.S. building in Hell’s Kitchen

2019-04-10T19:55:00-04:00

New renderings of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza’s first United States building was revealed this week, stirring up interest before the Hell’s Kitchen tower launches sales this fall. Currently under construction just off 11th Avenue, 611 West 56th Street will reach 35 stories and contain 80 condo units, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, and penthouses. In addition to the fresh images of the limestone tower, developers Sumaida + Khurana and LENY also released a teaser website for the project.

Courtesy of the Boundary

Sandwiched between Hudson Yards and the Upper West Side, the building sits on a corner of Manhattan’s west side currently transitioning from auto body shops and manufacturing structures to luxury residential buildings.

The design reflects Siza’s modernist style, with a simple shape, stone facade, and rectangular wrapping windows. As CityRealty reported earlier this year, the building features a large setback on the eighth floor that gives way to a more sl...

Portugal issues collector coin for Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto Moura

2018-12-13T17:41:00-05:00

The Portuguese mint and National press has released new coins in honor of the country's Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. Known for his stadium in Braga, Portugal and his House Number Two in Bom Jesus, Portugal, the 66 year-old architect is often praised for his ability to blend drama with his thoughtful use of colors and materials.

The coin to honor Souto de Moura has been designed by another Portuguese architect, and fellow Pritzker winner, Alvaro Siza. The design focuses on nature and construction, with one side featuring a stylized depiction of his Igreja de Santa Maria in Marco de Canavese, and the other, an abstract line drawing of a tree.

Last year, a coin designed by Eduardo Suoto de Moura was released to honor Siza. This year's release continues the Banco de Portugal's "Portuguese Architecture" series.

Álvaro Siza Vieira completes off-grid, minimalist chapel in Portugal

2018-07-12T14:15:00-04:00

Described as "a pure architectural project" by the architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, the Hillside Chapel he recently completed has no electricity, heating or running water. Instead, the modest chapel relies on natural ventilation, and clever use of materials such as insulated bricks and limestone to create an off-grid, conceptually interesting materialization of faith.

The chapel is surrounded by natural landscape, making it a peaceful, spirit-restoring retreat. All images courtesy of João Morgado.

Aerial view emphasizing the geometry of the chapel and its surrounding natural landscape. All images courtesy of João Morgado.

One of Portugal’s most celebrated architects, the Pritzker Prize winner was approached to design the Capela do Monte by a Swiss-American couple. The couple, who have been living in Portugal's Algarve region since the mid-1980s, are building out a spiritual retreat in the country's southernmost region for which the non-denominational space will serve as a focal point.

S...

Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira realizes white concrete church in France

2018-02-13T15:18:00-05:00

The Pritzker Prize winning architect, Álvaro Siza, has completed a white concrete church in France's Brittany region. The church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, consecrated over the weekend in the presence of over 300 people, is the first church built in the area in over 40 years—the only, thus far, Breton church of the 21st century.

Joao Morgado Architecture Photography.

The sacred building, costing 3 million euros, was ordered by the diocese of Rennes to better meet current needs. Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, a commune in the Northwestern part of France, has a thriving Catholic community and the new church is more centrally located to where people live, near the residential area south of Rennes with five-story housing blocks.

Joao Morgado Architecture Photography.

The design by Siza, for which he provided 600 details, combines a minimalistic aesthetic with an opening onto the city. His use of light and white concrete provides a unique ceremonial space that is integrated into the urban f...

Alvaro Siza’s first U.S. building in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen revealed

2017-09-26T11:50:00-04:00

Back in 2015 architects and design buffs were excited to hear that Portuguese Pritzker Prize-winner Álvaro Siza would be designing his highly-anticipated first U.S. building on Manhattan’s west side in a neighborhood being called Hudson West. Now, developers Sumaida + Khurana and LENY have released renderings of the building at 611 West 56th Street on the former site of the Gristedes corporate headquarters.

The tower will rise 35 stories and hold 80 condo apartments.

Siza celebrates with everyone

2016-06-14T15:16:00-04:00

"Two blocks inland on the narrow island is Campo di Marte. Here, back in 1985 architecture history was written, not that many people remember this today: Because it was here that in 1983 Álvaro Siza and Aldo Rossi first teamed up on a construction project. Both had exhibited work in 1976 at the Venice -Biennale, in fact in halls directly adjacent to each other: While Rossi (together with Bruno Reichlin, Fabio Reinhart and others) presented collages of the Analog City, Siza brought along some of his subsidized housing projects in Portugal at the time. We can surmise that it was this presentation that led in 1983 to his being invited by the Venetian housing construction association to enter the competition to redesign the Campo di Marte. Just how distinguished the competition was can be seen today from the roster of names of the architects invited to take part: Alongside Siza and Rossi, they included Rafael Moneo, Mario Botta, Boris Podrecca and Aldo van Eyck. " - STYLEPARK

Álvaro Siza finally lands in the US, by way of Hell's Kitchen

2015-06-19T18:28:00-04:00

Pritzker Prize-winner Álvaro Siza has been selected to design an "ultra-luxury condominium" in Manhattan, his first U.S. project. Deemed 611 West 56th Street by developers Sumaida + Khurana and LENY, the structure will rise 35-storeys in New York's Hell's Kitchen, enough for approximately 80 residences. Collaborating architects include Michael Gabellini and Kimberly Sheppard, with SLCE Architects as the Architect of Record.

Predictable luxe high-rise amenities include a roof garden, private terraces and swimming pools, a spa, fitness center, and entertainment spaces for hosting (you guessed it) private events.

Construction is expected to begin in May 2016, and completed by Fall 2018. At that rate, it'll become part of the skyline before BIG's 2 WTC, which is slated for completion by 2020.

See the project's site below (the building pictured will be demolished):

Álvaro Siza and Herzog & de Meuron win first Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize in Chicago

2014-10-23T21:06:00-04:00

In a large evening benefit dinner at IIT College of Architecture's S. R. Crown Hall in Chicago last night, Álvaro Siza and Herzog & de Meuron were announced as the winners of the inaugural Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP). Established by IIT architecture dean Wiel Arets and launched earlier this year with Phyllis Lambert and Dirk Denison, the MCHAP honors what is considered the best built works in the Americas.

Siza received the MCHAP2000-2008 award for the Iberê Camargo Foundation in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

For the MCHAP2009-2013 award, Herzog & de Meuron won for their 1111 Lincoln Road project in Miami Beach, Florida.

The MCHAP award also includes the MCHAP Chair at IIT College of Architecture for the following academic year, and a US$50,000 prize to support research and publication in contribution to "Rethinking Metropolis", the college's ongoing theme envisioned by Dean Arets.

Read more about the winning projects on Bustler.

Win a copy of the reprinted “ÁLVARO SIZA. VIAGEM SEM PROGRAMA”

2014-08-06T18:43:00-04:00

The popular ÁLVARO SIZA. VIAGEM SEM PROGRAMA book tells the personal stories of renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza through his own collection of drawings. Upon the success of the first edition, Red Publishing recently reprinted the book -- and guess what, Archinect is now giving away five copies to our readers!

To enter the book giveaway, fill out this survey by Wednesday, August 13, end of day. Winners will be chosen at random. Good luck!

The book presents 53 drawings that Siza created over a period of 60 years, beginning in Porto to the end of the 1950s when he made his way into the architecture world. In an interview, Siza talks about his most significant encounters with colleagues and friends, and the lasting relationships that were established.

Authors Raul Betti and Greta Ruffino worked with Siza himself in selecting which drawings to publish from his numerous sketchbooks and diaries. Digitally reproducing the drawings involved an in-depth study on materials and a digital ...

Editor's Picks #378

2014-07-30T15:14:00-04:00

Amelia Taylor-Hochberg Editorial Manager for Archinect, penned another essay in the "non-conclusive series" AfterShock. Titled Brains and the City, in it she explores a new world of EEG urbanism, GSAPP’s Cloud Lab, brain computer interfaces and human architect-slash-neuroscientist designer(s).

Chris Teeter is very interested in this line of research. He believes, "I think as a good option for finding a 'legitimacy' to the art and science of architecture, neuroscience, and more specifically phenomenology-neuroscience-architecture is a very exciting path what tons of potential." Thayer-D is "Looking forward to the next installment, conclusive or not".

Plus, #21 of Screen/Print: featured Log 31, "New Ancients"

News
As an offshoot of the Deans List editorial series, Archinect interviewed a few of the newly appointed leaders in architecture education, to survey their plans for the position at the very beginning of their tenure. anonitect defended Donna Sink's earlier comments which "are tot...

Slums, Siza and squatting: ICYMI Weekly News Round-Up for July 21, 2014

2014-07-28T14:45:00-04:00

In Case You Missed It, a look back at the major happenings from last week's News.

Friday, July 25

Families Removed From 'Tower of David' Skyscraper Slum: Venezuelans initially began living in the abandoned office towers in 2007, due to the country's burgeoning financial crisis. They are now being evicted by Caracas city officials, citing safety concerns in the 45-floor building.
Row over Olympic cauldron design settled out of court: Olympic officials settled with designers from Atopia, who claimed the cauldron design relied heavily on their ideas without citation. While Atopia's influence has been recognized, design of the cauldron is still credited to Thomas Heatherwick.

Thursday, July 24

Álvaro Siza donates his architectural archives to institutions in Portugal and Canada: The archive will be divided up between the Canadian Centre for Architecture (Montreal), the Fundação Gulbenkian in Lisbon and the Fundação de Serralves in Porto.
Can a Frank Gehry design help change the dynamic of Wat...