The work of Álvaro Siza Vieira, one of the greatest figures in world architecture, will take centre stage at Expo 2025 Osaka, in the Portugal Pavilion. This exhibition, a development of the major show presented at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in 2024, focuses on the importance of drawing in his work, featuring photographs by Juan Domingo Santos and sketchbooks preserved at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Curated by Carlos Quintáns Eiras—a Spanish architect and critic who won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale—the exhibition unveils Siza Vieira’s creative process through drawings, plans, photographs, and design pieces, exploring the artistic and professional influences that have shaped his career.
A central figure in modern architecture, Siza Vieira gained international recognition early on with projects such as the restoration of the Jewish Quarter in Venice and Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. In Portugal, he designed landmark buildings including the Boa Nova Tea House, the reconstruction of Lisbon’s Chiado district, and the Portugal Pavilion at Expo ’98, influencing generations of architects.
A Pritzker Prize laureate, among many other international accolades, Siza Vieira remains a defining name in contemporary architecture. The exhibition at Expo Osaka celebrates his legacy and his unique ability to transform drawings into iconic spaces, shaping landscapes and cities worldwide.
