NOARQ was founded in 2001 in Porto by José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira (1973). José Carlos worked with Arch. Álvaro Siza from 2000 to 2017, leading several projects, some of them in partnership with Arch. Eduardo Souto Moura, such as the International Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, in Santo Tirso (Portugal), the São Bento Metro Station in Porto (Portugal), and the eight houses at Villa Colonnese in Vicenza (Italy). He currently maintains co-authorships with Álvaro Siza, Edgar Cardoso, and Arenas & Asociados – Ingeniería de Diseño.
The NOARQ studio emerged as a laboratory for research, creation, and production, based on a hand-drawing methodology, developing solutions for territory, architecture, and everyday objects. Its activity is divided between participation in public competitions and private commissions, working in close collaboration with clients, engineering teams, industry, and universities, with the aim of achieving sustainable and innovative solutions.
NOARQ is the winner of several national and international architectural competitions. Notable projects include the Swimming Pools at Vilagarcía de Arousa Beach (Spain), the HALO Public Elevator in Vigo (Spain), the Ferreirinha Bridge in Porto (Portugal), and the Asprela University Residence in Porto (Portugal). Its work has received numerous awards and distinctions at both national and international levels.
