Undergraduate and postgraduate students from Architecture, alongside undergraduate Interior Architecture students, spent four days soaking up the culture of Europe’s most westerly capital with it’s fascinating blend of traditional ceramic facades in the Alfama old town, creative reuse of existing buildings, and striking modern architecture.

Interior Architecture undergraduate Jourdan Longden reflected, “I had an amazing time seeing and experiencing new architecture, being together as a group, being able to understand the space and have each of us share our thoughts and own experiences when in the different buildings.”

Students visited some of Europe’s most contemporary buildings including the impressive MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) by Amanda Levette, the spectacular Portuguese National Pavilion by Alvaro Siza, and the enchanting Thalia Theatre by Gonçalo Byrne & Barbes Lopes.

Students gathered outside MAAT

Students gathered outside MAAT

The opportunity to visit high quality buildings is of vital importance for student development, providing a much deeper and intrinsic understanding of space. The study tour is already influencing design work, with Architecture student Mohamad Moussa saying; “I found Lisbon an inspirational destination, especially seeing how street culture can have such an influence on architecture. I’m looking forward to experimenting with these ideas in my next project.”

Students at Thalia Theatre

Students at Thalia Theatre

Further Information

Craig Stott

Senior Lecturer / Leeds School Of Arts

Craig Stott (MEng, BArch, MA, ARB) is a Project Office co-director, Architect and Senior Architecture Lecturer at the Leeds School of Architecture, Leeds Beckett University.

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