Lisbon: paradise of the new architecture
Thanks to the masterful work of the long-lived Álvaro Siza, Portugal has become one of the lighthouses of contemporary architecture, and Lisbon is the best example of this. On this route, guided by photographer Rodrigo Cardoso, who is passionate about modern architecture, we take a look at the projects that have radically transformed the landscape of the Portuguese capital. Works such as the Portugal Pavilion, by the aforementioned Siza, are added to designs by Santiago Calatrava, such as the Orient Station, and other technical and architectural feats, such as the Cruise Terminal by João Luís Carrilho da Graça.
Designed for the 1998 World Expo at the mouth of the River Tagus, the Portugal Pavilion is one of Álvaro Siza Vieira’s more spectacular works. The prestigious Portuguese architect successfully brings a sense of lightness to this iconic prestressed concrete roof, which looks like paper and extends 70 by 50 metres.
For the 1998 World Expo, Lisbon commissioned Santiago Calatrava to design the Orient Station in the Park of Nations, where the metro, bus and train services come together. A large open roof at the railway terminal gives the sensation of being in an imposing forest of concrete, steel and glass trees.
Visitors can walk all over the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), one of the best examples of a cultural centre that is, at the same time, a landscape. The work of Amanda Levete Architects, you can find it in the Belém district and it is part of the EDP Foundation.
Featuring a large auditorium as its main space and an open internal courtyard that is protected from outside noise, the Lisbon School of Music is a gem designed by João Luís Carrilho da Graça. Built out of concrete and glass and completed in 2008, its acoustic and thermal insulation is masterful.
This is where Vasco de Gama once set off down the river and then across the sea to conquer the Spice Road. The “centre for research into the unknown” of the Champalimaud Foundation is the work of Charles Correa. It is equally innovative in terms of its architecture and includes numerous open spaces that can be enjoyed by visitors.
João Luís Carrilho da Graça’s vision for the new Cruise Terminal in Portugal’s capital is exquisite. Its roof seems to float, allowing it to connect with the city through glass walls and a huge park that surrounds it. Concrete mixed with cork was used in its construction to add lightness to the building’s overall weight.
Designed for the 1998 World Expo at the mouth of the River Tagus, the Portugal Pavilion is one of Álvaro Siza Vieira’s more spectacular works. The prestigious Portuguese architect successfully brings a sense of lightness to this iconic prestressed concrete roof, which looks like paper and extends 70 by 50 metres.
