Siza patina permanence

Abstract

Designated to “stay” in time and to “contrast” time – the former referred to the chronological meaning, the latter to the meteorological one – the life of buildings sometimes addresses the relationship with their pre-existences through variations linked to time. The essay aims at unfolding this phenomenon in the architecture of Álvaro Siza Vieira, proving his special ability to control the metamorphoses of the built matter. Complementing critical research with the dialogue established with the Portuguese master, the analysis of the evolutive process of some of his works demonstrates how time – intended as “the other architect”, which overlaps and opposes its own action to the one carried out by the builder – does not seem to counteract the experience of Siza but rather enhances the embedding of architecture in the site.