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Alvaro Siza
Mircea Anghel
Eduardo Souto de Moura
PHOTOGRAPHY
BIJISPACE
WORDS
Zhang Wei
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

When the interior echoes the building and responds to the spirit of the place, people are more likely to feel a sense of belonging within it. Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza is a practitioner of the spirit of place. With admiration and curiosity for Alvaro Siza, I embarked on this trip to Portugal.

The first stop upon arrival in Portugal is the Sao Lourenco do Barrocal estate. In the afternoon, sunlight filters through the leaves and dappled on the thick stone walls. The shimmering shadows gently sway on the walls, instantly relieving the fatigue of the long flight.

The wisteria flowers entwined on the grapevines, the vast olive groves in the distance, and the horses strolling leisurely all tell of the intimate relationship between architecture and nature. In this family heritage site spanning two centuries, designer Eduardo Souto de Moura "restored the old as it was", preserving the texture of the old manor. Using local stones and handcrafted bricks, he continued the traditional Mediterranean elements, making each small house seem to grow out of the stones and woods, harmonious and full of vitality. The interior also retains this simple and genuine atmosphere. The soft Egyptian cotton bed sheets and the linen-textured blankets make one just want to lie here comfortably. Every piece of furniture and every material seems to carry the lingering warmth of the sun and the traces of time.

This land carries the understanding of home by generations of owners, integrates modern lifestyles, and continues the story of the site. This design language that follows the trend responds to the sustainability of design. Design is not only an interpretation of beauty but also respects the symbiotic relationship between architecture and the environment.

The next day, we unexpectedly encountered a nationwide power outage in Portugal, which became an unforgettable and special experience during this trip. I can't remember how long it has been since I last experienced such a peaceful moment without the Internet, mobile phones or information.

As dusk fell, everyone sat around the candlelight chatting freely. The stars in the sky swirled across the heavens, and time seemed to stand still at this moment. Our attention is more focused on the current perception of architecture, space and nature, and the connection between people seems to have returned to its most genuine state at this moment. At this moment, I have gained a new understanding of design: it does not rely on technology, nor is it confined to material things, but rather the harmony between space, environment and time.

The most unexpected surprise and gain of this journey was undoubtedly getting to know Manuel Aires Mateus. In the Casa na Terra he designed, I intuitively felt the perfect integration of architecture and nature. Among the undulating hills, the only visible architectural element is a huge dome, while the interior rooms are naturally closely connected to nature.

It can't help but remind me of the cave dwellings I saw in Shaanxi a few years ago. They are a unique type of architecture embedded in the ground, warm in winter and cool in summer, both comfortable and energy-efficient, perfectly adapting to nature and responding to the environment. Despite transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, they all convey the same idea: architecture should not dominate the site but should be a harmonious part of it.

This design concept of harmonious coexistence is particularly precious in modern society. Casa na Terra and the cave dwellings in Shaanxi are like the crystallization of the wisdom of nature and mankind. They quietly tell a story about harmony, respect and coexistence. Among these buildings, we do not see any deprivation or destruction of nature. On the contrary, they blend into the surrounding environment in a gentle yet firm way and become an inseparable part of nature. This design concept not only prompts us to re-examine the relationship between architecture and nature, but also reminds us that in future designs, we should pay more attention to the harmonious coexistence with nature, making architecture an extension of nature rather than its opposite.

The next day, we visited his studio and private residence, and were once again deeply attracted by this treasure designer. He shared, "I am passionate about the way of constantly endowing space with new meanings as time goes by." For instance, nowadays we more frequently use restaurants as work areas rather than just for dinner. The kitchen seems to have transformed into a living room because we added a sofa." This is in perfect alignment with our design philosophy: a house is dynamic and can continuously update its connotation as time goes by and people's lifestyles change.

In our design exploration, we have always adhered to the harmonious coexistence of space and nature. While residents enjoy the convenience of modern life, they can also experience the surrounding natural environment. The flexible spatial design and layout not only meet the current usage requirements but also can be continuously updated over time and as the residents' lifestyles evolve.

The local lifestyle, social habits, cultural characteristics, aesthetic concepts and craftsmanship are all reflected in the design of local hotels. The unique charm of Portuguese design also lies in its local nature. Based on the emphasis on the harmonious integration of architecture and nature, the design style of hotels varies with geographical location. Pousada Mosteiro de Amares retains The sanctity and serene temperament of the monastery. The Rebello integrates many local traditional handicrafts, demonstrating the inclusiveness of eclecticism. Pa.te.os combines minimalism with the wilderness.

My favorite is still Santa 1728. It is located in a corner of the old town of Lisbon and was meticulously transformed from an 18th-century palace. The designer retained the traditional design elements such as the original stone walls and arched Windows, while also breaking away from conventional thinking and deeply pondering the significance of urban life to modern Lisbon. The space has been redesigned, endowing it with appropriate proportions, order and rhythm, appearing calm and restrained, as if it were a container of life after time had stood still. The combination of cream color, linen and natural stone is just right, creating a true sense of relaxation and tranquility, making people feel as if they have found an ideal haven. Perhaps this is the true meaning of home. At this moment, the design inspiration for the new home gushed out in my mind like a spring.

In the middle of the journey, we arrived at the studio of woodwork artist Mircea Anghel. He crossed over from the financial industry to become an artist, transforming his passion into a career. In the future, he dreams even more of becoming a boatman and has already started to build his own ships. I think his unrestrained and carefree attitude towards life is one of the sources of inspiration for his works. His works draw inspiration from the forms, textures and stories of nature, ingeniously blending the original texture of natural materials with the delicate and exquisite craftsmanship. His rich and diverse life experiences have prompted him to deeply explore the organic integration of modern design and sustainable development. I think this is precisely the significance of our trip: to experience the diverse geography and culture, and to explore more possibilities of design.

Also running through the journey are the works of Eduardo Souto de Moura, who is the second Portuguese architect after Alvaro Siza to win the Pritzker Prize. The most memorable one is the Paula Rego Art Museum he designed. This design is regarded as a modern interpretation of historicism. The architectural lines are simple yet powerful, and the spatial layout is exquisite. Every detail tells of his respect for art and also interprets the profound dialogue between architecture and humanity.

The most anticipated part of this trip is undoubtedly the communication with Alvaro Siza. Early in the morning, we first arrived at the Boa Nova Seaside Tea House. This tea room was designed by Alvaro Siza when he was 25 years old and it was also his masterpiece that made him famous. Although it has been around for over 60 years, it still exudes a modern feel. This atmosphere of harmonious coexistence with nature and time perfectly interprets the purity of the venue's spirit. After visiting his architectural works on the spot, we came to his office. Climbing up the stairs and passing through a corridor, the profile of Siza comes into view at the end. At the age of 92, he sat upright at the table, slightly hunched his back, with a cigarette in his hand. This scene was quiet yet full of power!

I think everyone would be curious about how he maintains his creative enthusiasm. The old man responded humorously, "Keep smoking, keep drinking, keep living." This playful tone is far more innocent and interesting than we could have imagined. His smile was warm and gentle. Despite the language barrier, the sincerity and calmness he exuded still made me deeply feel his love and composure for design.

This communication with Siza was a valuable experience for me. He is not only an outstanding architect, but also an elder full of wisdom and life philosophy. His creative passion, his unwavering pursuit of design, and his design philosophy of harmonious coexistence with nature undoubtedly inspire and enlighten all of us designers, and also serve as a lighthouse on our design journey.

In every inch of Portugal, art and design are as natural as breathing. They are integrated into daily life and have become an indispensable part. The designers and artists we have met have not only created breathtaking works, but more importantly, they have interpreted the true meaning of design through their own lifestyles.

This trip to Portugal far exceeded my expectations. The journey began in an immersive experience. We did not rush to check in but instead, through step-by-step visits, conversations and experiences, we immersed ourselves in the essence of Portuguese design. Along the way, I kept encountering surprising designers and their works. The gradual pace enabled me to have a deeper understanding of their original creative intentions. This also convinces me that the ultimate value of design does not lie in the drawings, but in how we integrate it into our lives. I think, whether one is engaged in the field of design or not, such a journey is extremely precious.

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