Alcino Cardoso house renovation by Álvaro Siza

Abstract

The renovation of Alcino Cardoso House ( rst phase: 1971-1973; second phase: 1988-1991) by the Pritzker Prize winner Álvaro Siza (1933-) is a reference case-study on the way architects can reshape vernacular heritage while preserving its cultural values. The Alcino Cardoso House was one of the rst interventions in pre-existing buildings undertaken by Siza to receive national and international attention. The architectural design consisted on the conser vation of vernacular farm buildings and their adaptation into a holiday home and tourist accommoda tion. It echoes the concerns of the critical revision of modern architecture in the Portuguese context, distinctive by a creative reinterpretation of tradition: modern principles are introduced while continu ing with vernacular construction techniques and materials. This early Álvaro Siza intervention in a ru ral context has become a reference case-study for other School of Porto architects (such has Fernando Távora, Eduardo Souto de Moura, among others) providing lessons, on how to reconcile the legacy of the past with the contemporary needs.