Eduardo Souto de Moura was born on the 25th of July, 1952, in
Oporto, Portugal.
He studied architecture at the School of Fine Arts in Oporto,
receiving his degree in 1980. From 1974 to 1979 he collaborated in
the architectural practice of Álvaro Siza Vieira. From 1981 to 1991
he was assistant professor in his alma mater, and later began to
serve as professor in the Faculty of Architecture in the University
of Oporto. He initiates his own office in 1980. Since then has
designed over 60 buildings in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, UK
and Switzerland. He has been visiting professor at the
architectural schools of Paris-Belleville, Harvard, Dublin, ETH
Zurich and Lausanne.
Among the best known works include the Braga Municipal Stadium,
the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego in Cascais, Casa das Artes in
Porto, Trindade Metro station, and many others. He has received
many awards, has participated in numerous seminars and given many
lectures both in Portugal and abroad. His work has appeared in
various publications and exhibitions.
In 2010, Eduardo Souto de Moura won his third accolade, the 2010
SECIL Prize for Architecture awarded by SECIL and the Association
of Architects for his architectural design of the Casa das
Histórias Paula Rego (the Paula Rego House of Stories). The Prize
is presented every two years and is recognised to be the top award
in Portuguese architecture.
In 2011, the architect is awarded the Pritzker Prize, considered
the Nobel of architecture. For the award, the jury found that
during the past three decades, Souto de Moura 'has produced a body
of work that is of our time but also carries echoes of
architectural traditions. (...) His buildings have a unique ability
to convey seemingly conflicting characteristics -power and modesty,
bravado and subtlety (...)'.