Lisbon: where cultural heritage becomes accessible – and new functions emerge

Portugal is a young democracy, established only in 1974. As a result, the political will and economic capacity to develop cities and housing have not followed the same trajectory as in other European countries. Consequently, history is visible everywhere – from churches and monasteries to tiled facades and the iconic trams. There is a strong focus on repairing the existing, transforming with new functions, and carrying traditional craftsmanship into the present.

At the same time, a modern architectural lineage runs through the city, with Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura as Pritzker Prize winners (1992 and 2011, respectively), both known for their exceptional architectural works. Added to this is EXPO ’92, which became Portugal’s window to the world, presenting Lisbon as modern and forward-looking as it hosted the World Exhibition.

Here, you can explore the tendencies and projects that position Lisbon as a model city for renovation and transformation, including new ways of using local materials such as tiles/ceramics, cork, and rammed earth.

Historic palaces reopening as mixed-use projects

Several architects and clients use transformation as a driver for social and cultural renewal. Take Palácio Chiado, where a distinguished 19th-century palace, complete with preserved frescoes, staircases, and ornamentation, has been reborn as a house of culture and gastronomy.

The MACAM Hotel revives 18th-century aristocratic architecture as a 22,000 m² hybrid combining hotel, museum, and educational spaces.

Or Studentville Housing by André Kong Studio, built on the former grounds of one of Portugal’s most renowned tile manufacturers now student housing with a façade clad in thermally regulating tiles.

Local materials used in new ways

Perhaps it is also the approach to materials and surfaces that stands out. Design studios think in terms of locality and tactility, for example, how a colored façade subtly shifts in hue. In recent years, architects have rediscovered cork, rammed earth, and various types of stone, sometimes using cork for acoustic regulation. You can, for instance, explore rammed-earth solutions with local producers, from production methods and challenges to maintenance and the material’s interaction with others.

Practical information

A study program in Lisbon is tailored to your professional needs and the themes you want to explore.

A program may include:

Visits to transformation projects in the city centre, along the waterfront, and in historic neighbourhoods
A bike tour through the EXPO district
Conversations with architects, material producers, and local experts
Insights into Lisbon’s approach to identity-preserving restoration and contemporary construction

We organise the entire trip to create a coherent and meaningful program. The program can also be combined with two days in Porto, home to many of Álvaro Siza’s iconic projects.

For more information and details, contact us here.