Architect lays out beautiful legacy

Pritzker prizewinner who once hoped to be a sculptor changes landscapes with his spiritual and uplifting designs, He Qi reports in Shanghai.

Presented by the Power Station of Art in Shanghai in collaboration with the Serralves Museum in Porto, Portugal, Alvaro Siza: The Archive, running until Sept 7, stands as the largest retrospective exhibition in Asia dedicated to renowned Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza.

Curated by architect Antonio Choupina with advisory contributions from Siza and architect Carlos Castanheira, the exhibition showcases over 800 works, including drawings, models, sculptures, objects and photographs. This comprehensive collection sheds light on the 92-year-old architect's remarkable career and the interconnected tapestry of the buildings that define his legacy.

Siza, acclaimed internationally as a "poetic architect", is celebrated for the tranquility and elegance that make his designs unique.

Born in 1933 in Matosinhos, Portugal, Siza has had a seven-decade career that includes more than 550 projects across multiple continents. Awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1992, his architecture is hailed for its sensory delights and spiritual upliftment, with each line and curve meticulously placed to evoke a sense of harmony.