Liberate the form. White concrete in the work of Álvaro Siza

Abstract

The study of the extensive work of Álvaro Siza Vieira allows relating the progressive linguistic innovation and the spatial experimentation of his architecture with the use of different constructive techniques and technologies. Assuming the white colour as the guiding thread of the discourse, the professional trajectory of Siza is traversed from its initial link with the Portuguese architectural tradition of the early twentieth century, until the current adoption of the constructive principles of the exposed concrete. The contribution puts in perspective some recent works of the Portuguese master, ordering and analyzing the projects with the aim of elucidating the underlying architectural principles in the use of white exposed concrete. A progressive quest to liberate the form in which concrete acts as an ideal material, increasing the creative and expressive possibilities of architecture.