Architectural Design and the Relationship Between Architecture and Landscape: Relevant Cases in Modern and Contemporary Portuguese Architecture

Viviana Frutuoso; Amílcar Gil Pires

doi:10.38027/mediterranean-cities_vol6no1_4

Authors

Viviana Frutuoso CIAUD-UBI, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1643-9707
Amílcar Gil Pires CIAUD-UBI, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5560-1490

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38027/mediterranean-cities_vol6no1_4

Keywords:

Architecture, Landscape, Territory, Place, Architectural Design

Abstract

Modern and contemporary Portuguese architecture tends to establish an intentional dynamic relationship between the building, the landscape, and the territory, with the latter constituting a central pillar of its architectural culture. However, the design strategies that give shape to this relationship remain scientifically under-systematized, even within the broader context of Mediterranean cultural landscapes. This article aims to analyze architectural practice based on an understanding of the design process and architectural design choices, taking into account intervention strategies and their implementation on-site, as well as their relationship with the landscape. Based on a selection of architectural works by five Portuguese architects of recognized merit—who demonstrate shared sensibilities in their approach to place and landscape—an integrated analysis was conducted that included the interpretation of drawings, photographs, and project documents. The results highlight common strategies for integration into the site, reinforcing a persistent cultural approach to designing with the landscape. The study contributes to architectural theory by systematizing place-oriented design principles relevant to contemporary practices in architecture and urban design.

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