Comments on: Selected projects by Álvaro Siza photographed by Duccio Malagamba

By: fuckedarchitect

fuckedarchitect — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:27:36 +0000

What an awesome display of Siza's work. Thanks for putting this together for the rest of us to enjoy.

By: DMV

DMV — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:01:29 +0000

a genius of modern architecture.not all of his buildings are this nostalgic though, great selection, would add pavilhãõ de portugal expo 98!
Its incredible how every one in Portugal knows his name and is proud of him. Has passed his knowledge to architects such as Eduardo Souto Moura , Camilo Rebelo and Nuno brandão who will definitely carry on his unique vision.
top5 architects alive definitely.

By: Barbosa

Barbosa — Sun, 09 May 2010 15:41:33 +0000

Siza é o sem dúvida dos melhores arquitectos portugueses e todas as obras sao dignas de uma visita :)
Lindo!!!!

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:49:58 +0000

I would say that Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture by Venturi has a lot to do with the complexities and contradictions on Siza’s work. It’s true that he uses the complete modern architectural repertoire of the beginning of the 20th century but he uses these in a very provocative way, distorting its orthodox rules of transparency of form following function of structural integrity (etc, etc).

The unexpected location of a structural column that contradicts our perception, the complex articulation of volumes that generate simultaneous readings of the overall mass, the up-sized scale of a 6m tall entrance door that triggers our notion of space … all of this is wisely played in Siza’s buildings to trick the eye, to create a complex chain of emotions… pretty much like the logic that drives certain baroque pieces of architecture. And in my opinion this is exactly what Venturi was talking about, not necessarily ornament.

By: Jamiego

Jamiego — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:43:16 +0000

I think Loos’ polemical writings rather than his architecture had a greater impact on the development of rationalism. I never described Secessionist style as architecture did I? I don’t really think it matters if Siza agrees with me about Loos (who you brought into the argument, and I am criticizing his architectural work, not his underlying philosophy). I was trying to illustrate that appreciating Siza’s formal restraint is not at odds with appreciating well-crafted, extravagant detailing in other places and that you do not need to invoke Venturi as some talisman that says “get over modernism” – modernism is more complicated and subtle than a Loos soundbite. Art Nouveau was also a modernist movement.

As for “suggesting the reading of a great book that can broaden your knowledge” – the original suggestion was made after saying I was stuck in 1908, so it seems reasonable to read derision into your post.