Well-known for its wide variety of architectural styles, Lisbon remarkably mixes the traditional heritage, mostly present in the city center, with a unique modern and minimalist architecture alongside the Tagus river.
Champalimaud CENTRE FOR THE UNKNOWN
The Champalimaud foundation could be a Museum of Modern Art, but it is actually a research and diagnostic center where some of the best scientists in the world use the highest levels of contemporary science and medicine to help people with serious diseases. The site is absolutely beautiful, the monolithic stone give this pure and aerial look the the site, the curved buildings and outdoors blend perfectly with the environment, giving the impression that the whole space melts into the river.
“We tried to create a piece of architecture. Architecture as sculpture. Architecture as beauty. Beauty as therapy” Charles Correa Associates
Architects Charles Correa point out that this is the site where Henry the Navigator, Vasco de Gama and other great Portuguese left on their journeys into the unknown, this metaphor refers with relevancy to the discoveries of contemporary science nowadays.
VASCO DA GAMA BRIDGE
With its 17.3 kilometers length, Vasco da Gama bridge is no less than the longest bridge in Europe, and also one of the 10 largest bridge in the world.
PAVILHÃO DE PORTUGAL
Pavilion of Portugal is an open plaza constituted by two massive porticoes, both connected by an incredibly thin concrete-made canopy. With this piece of work, architect Álvaro Siza Vieira questions our vision of mass and gravity.
EDP HEADQUARTERS
The recently completed Energias de Portugal (EDP) headquarters shows many interesting details because of its striped structure. Inside the building lies an half-covered area where shades shift as the natural light moves around.
MAAT MUSEUM
The Lisbon Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is a curved, wave-like design sitting on the edge of the Tagus. The facade is entirely made of scales, reflecting the colors of the sun into the sea. At sunset the pale grey color of the facade turns into a glittering orange, revealing all the power of the architecture. Visitors can walk over, under and through the museum. The roof offers panoramic views of the river.
CENTRO CULTURAL DE BELÉM
The cultural centre of Belém was designed by Manuel Salgado and Vittorio Gregotti. It was built on the historical neighbourhood of Belém, its modern architecture, contrasts with some of the most iconic buildings of old Lisbon. The terraced garden offers stunning views over the Tagus. With auditoriums, museums, temporary exhibits and major events, the cultural centre of Belém has become a cultural hub appreciated by tourists and locals.
VODAFONE HEADQUARTERS
This building, designed by Alexandre Burmester was awarded a Valmor Prize which is delivered by the City Council and the Lisbon Architecture Triennial. The design of the outside facade is captivating, it displays infinite patterns of geometry with the windows that are constantly moving.
ESTAÇÃO do Oriente
Part of the contemporary redeveloped area (Parque das Nações) the Oriente station is representative of the modern Lisbon. The glass and steel architecture can be seen as a biosphere : the tree-shaped roof, the wave-alike main entrance, and the concrete pillars below for the roots are supposed to represent a forest. This building designed Santiago Calatrava is as much impressive from the outside as it is inside.
