Alvaro Siza Vieira

 When first researching Siza I stumbled across his recent instalment at Zebro Viewpoint. This work is located above the Zezere river valley and offers tourists/ climbers a very interesting viewpoint of the landscape and surroundings. The structure is a large circular platform elevated high above the valley below, made almost entirely out of reinforced concrete. I believe this was done so that the structure fit in with the surrounding rock type. However, it also could have been made relatively simplistically in order to not distract from the natural beauty surrounding as this is the intended focal point. Much of Siza's work can be categorised as Brutalist. This is further supported by his use of steel chain link fencing surrounding the structure. There is nothing generically beautiful about the materials he chooses, however the way in which he places them in such landscapes can be very thought provoking.

 Siza is quoted stating "Every design, is a rigorous attempt to capture a concrete moment of transitory image in all its nuances" Although I really enjoy Siza's designs for both Zebro viewpoint and Piscina Leca, I struggle to understand the beauty in entirely concrete structures. I often wonder the real point he is trying to make. If I see an entirely concrete building, im unlikely to look twice and really notice any details. Maybe this is a point he is trying to make, maybe that the beauty isn't in the structure but really in what surrounds it or is inside it. This could be the case for the Serralves museam of contemporary art. 

I understand contemporary art is often minimalist, but to me this in some ways seems uninspired. I want to look at a museum building in awe and look out the window and see art in the garden, yet here there is a lone tree in a grey courtyard. Overall, I do enjoy some of Siza's work however, I do think it is to brutalist for my liking, it also lacks greenery which I think is important when it comes to environmental factors.