Eduardo Souto de Moura

Eduardo Souto de Moura was born in Porto, Portugal, on July 25, 1952. He began his studies at the Superior School of Fine Arts in Porto, but later shifted his path towards architecture, influenced by an encounter with sculptor Donald Judd in Zurich. During his study years, he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned architects such as Noé Dinis, Álvaro Siza Vieira, and Fernandes de Sá.

Souto de Moura completed his degree in architecture in 1980 and established his own studio in Porto. This step marked the beginning of a prominent career as an independent architect, which was soon recognized when he won the competition for the design of the Porto Cultural Centre.

In the early years of his career, he also worked as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP). Later, he was invited to give lectures and seminars at various prestigious universities such as Paris-Belleville, Harvard, Dublin, Zurich, and Lausanne.

Souto de Moura's works stand out for their rigor and precision in forms, a deep sensitivity to context, and meticulous care in the selection of materials. His buildings perfectly integrate into their surroundings, showcasing his interest in minimalism and his desire to enhance the lives of the people who inhabit them. His one or two-story single-family structures are a distinctive mark, as well as his approach to adapt the construction to the place where it is located.

Throughout his career, Souto de Moura has received numerous recognitions and awards, both in Portugal and abroad. Among them, "The Stone in Architecture" on several occasions, an Honorable Mention in the National Architecture Award 1993, and several nominations for the Mies van der Rohe European Architecture Prize stand out. His contribution to architecture was recognized worldwide when he received the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2011 and the Wolf Prize in 2013.

Souto de Moura continues to live and work in Porto, and his work continues to influence contemporary architecture. He is considered a representative of critical regionalism, a style highlighted by architecture historian Kenneth Frampton. Souto de Moura's vision of architecture, which sees construction and environment as constants and believes that materials, media, and construction systems can change, but the idea of a house is a universal concept, has left an indelible mark on modern architecture.