NEWS THAT matter

Nineteen projects photographed by Ivo Tavares were shortlisted for the Espaço 25 Awards, an initiative by ANTEPROJECTOS that reinforces the relevance of national architecture awards and the way these distinctions acknowledge the conceptual consistency and technical precision of Portuguese studios. The selection presents a group of works in which the construction of space is articulated with carefully studied natural light, expressive materials and a rigorous reading of both urban and landscape context, highlighting the ability of the studio to transform distinct programs into clear, quiet and coherent architectures.

The studio HPA Arquitetura e Investimentos strengthens its international presence with the Casa Corten project, awarded platinum winner at the International Excellence Awards 2025, in the category of Urban and Residential Design Architecture. The project demonstrates conceptual rigor, spatial sensitivity, and meticulous material selection, emphasizing natural light and harmonious integration with the landscape. The arrangement of volumes, nature integration and careful light management reflect the studio’s signature, positioning Casa Corten as a landmark in contemporary Portuguese architecture.

The studio ARDE Arquitetura+Design strengthens its prestige with the Olaria Municipal project, winner of the 2nd edition of the Architecture Award in Alentejo 2025, promoted by the Order of Architects in the rehabilitation category. The project highlights the studio’s conceptual rigor and spatial sensitivity, using local materials and natural light to harmoniously integrate the building into the urban and cultural context of Alentejo. The intervention stands out for clear spatial sequences, balanced volumes, and a subtle dialogue between tradition and modernity, reaffirming ARDE Arquitetura+Design as a leader in architecture in Alentejo. This recognition is a landmark in Alentejo awards and reinforces the relevance of architects in Alentejo.

The studio João Pedro Pedrosa - Arquitectos has been awarded the Gold Award 2025 in the Residential Architecture category and an Honorable Mention in the Architecture +Brick category at the 4Future Awards, for the project Casa na Lameira.

The recognition celebrates the excellence of the studio, whose approach combines conceptual rigor, spatial sensitivity, and harmonious integration with the context and materials used.

Casa na Lameira highlights careful attention to materiality, emphasizing the use of brick as both a structural and aesthetic element, the enhancement of natural light, and the creation of spaces that elevate the living experience. The project demonstrates how traditional materials can be reinterpreted in a contemporary way, creating a balanced dialogue between innovation and tradition.

The Silverline studio has been awarded the Platinum Prize in the Residential Architecture category at the Architecture Madrid Awards 2025, with the project Casa M. The recognition highlights the excellence of the studio’s work, combining conceptual rigor, spatial sensitivity, and a harmonious relationship with its context.

Casa M reflects Silverline’s design philosophy, where every detail is conceived to enhance the living experience, valuing natural light, materials, and integration with the landscape. This distinction reinforces Silverline’s role in contemporary architecture, establishing the studio as a reference in creating spaces that combine innovation, comfort, and identity.

The projects Casa da Levada, by the studio Tsou Arquitectos, and the Requalification of the old Fareja Bridge, by the studio Rómulo Neto Arquitectos, are among the nominees for the Archello Awards 2025, recognizing the quality and innovation of the architectural solutions presented.
Casa da Levada stands out for its harmonious integration with the landscape and attention to detail, while the Requalification of the old Fareja Bridge demonstrates a sensitive approach to heritage preservation and the reinterpretation of public space.
The nominations also reflect how photographer Ivo Tavares is able to capture the essence of these projects, conveying through his images the architects’ vision and the strength of each intervention.

As part of the Construir Awards 2025, five projects captured through the lens of photographer Ivo Tavares were officially nominated in various categories, reinforcing his presence in the national architecture scene.

In the Public Project category, the Municipal Pottery of Odemira, by ARDE Arquitetura, and the USF Moreira de Cónegos, by the studio StudioCAN, were distinguished. In the Private Project category, the Casa da Levada, by the studio Tsou Arquitectos, was nominated. In the Rehabilitation category, the Urban Rehabilitation of Bairro do Boneco, by Adarq — André David Arquitecto, and the Porto Arts Club, by Masslab, stand out.

These recognitions confirm the trust that various studios place in Ivo Tavares’ ability to convey, through photography, the essence and identity of each architectural project.

GALERIA GABINETE will inaugurate the exhibition “Ivo Tavares. Creative Point” on October 7, at 5 p.m., at its space in Penafiel. Running until December 26, 2025, the show marks the beginning of the quarterly cycle Exhibitions in the Atrium.

The exhibition brings together photographs by Ivo Tavares of Ponto C — Culture and Creativity, a building designed by GALERIA GABINETE.

More than a documentary record, the images reveal the building as a creative and dynamic space, exploring both its architectural lines and the poetic dimension of light, color, and shadow.

Practical information
📍 Location: Galeria Gabinete, Rua Alfredo Pereira, 3, Penafiel
📅 Dates: October 7 – December 26, 2025
🕑 Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday (1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.) | Saturday (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
✨ Opening event: October 7, at 5 p.m.

The Villa Fortaleza, a project by the Vieira de Moura Architects studio, received an Honorable Mention at the Margres Architecture Award. The prize distinguishes outstanding works that represent the best of contemporary architecture in Portugal, reinforcing the creative and innovative impact of the studio on the national and international scene.

A Casa Costa Nova, a project by the Espaço-objeto architecture studio, has won the 2nd edition of the António Sarrico Municipal Architecture Award in Ílhavo. The work, photographed by Ivo Tavares, stood out among 16 nominated projects for its innovation and strong connection to the local identity. An honorable mention was also awarded to Casa dos Anos 40, by the Frari studio, also photographed by Ivo Tavares, highlighting the impact of his work on showcasing contemporary Portuguese architecture. The award pays tribute to architect António Sarrico and aims to promote architectural excellence in the municipality, reinforcing Ílhavo as a hub of creativity and innovation.

Architizer recently published a selection of the best architecture studios in Portugal, recognizing the quality and influence of contemporary Portuguese architecture on an international level.

We have the privilege of working with some of the architecture studios included in this list, such as M2.senos, Fragmentos, Atelier d'Arquitectura Lopes da Costa, spaceworkers, Paulo Martins Arquitectura e Design. Through architectural photography, we help visually communicate the value and identity of their projects, thus promoting Portuguese architecture.

Check out the original article here: Best Architecture Firms in Portugal – Architizer

Casa da Levada, a project by the Portuguese studio Tsou Arquitectos located in Penafiel, has won both the Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner at the Architizer A+Awards 2025 in the Sustainable Private House category. The house was recognized for its environmentally responsible design and innovative use of Portuguese cork as a primary material.

About the project

Casa da Levada is a contemporary single-family house that integrates passive thermal strategies, cross ventilation, and a strong connection with the natural landscape. Its exterior is clad in natural cork panels, enhancing energy efficiency while celebrating a renewable and culturally significant Portuguese material.

International and national recognition

The Architizer A+Awards, based in New York City, are considered the world’s largest online architecture awards program. With more than 250 expert jurors and a global audience of over 400 million, the awards spotlight the best in contemporary architecture from over 90 countries.

Villa Fortaleza, designed by the Portuguese studio Vieira de Moura Architects, wins the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2025 in the Villa Architecture category.

Located in Portugal, this luxury residence stands out for its contemporary elegance, seamless integration with the landscape, and meticulous attention to detail — qualities that earned the project international recognition.

Vieira de Moura Architects has been steadily building its reputation through an architectural approach that balances sophistication and functionality, with a deep respect for the natural and cultural context of each project.

Located in the pristine Serra da Esperança in Belmonte, The Vagar – Country House was awarded at the 2024 World Luxury Hotel Awards, one of the most prestigious international competitions in the hospitality industry.

Designed by architects David Bilo and Filipe Pina, The Vagar stands out for its minimalist architecture and the way it embraces a serene lifestyle, deeply connected to nature, within the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark.

The award reinforces the international recognition of the project’s quality and the unique experience it provides — where architecture, landscape, and well-being come together with elegance.

Two projects photographed by Ivo Tavares are among the finalists of the 2025 edition of the FORMA Awards, which celebrate the best in contemporary Portuguese architecture. The nominated projects are the Fernandes Thomaz building, by Floret Arquitectura, in the Collective Housing category, and the Duo Hotel Lisbon, designed by LJ Group, in the Public Space category.

The FORMA Awards annually celebrate projects that stand out for their architectural quality, good integration with the surroundings and landscape, respect for existing identity values, while also considering construction sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental concerns.

The awards ceremony will take place during the FORMA Festival, to be held in Coimbra on May 17.

The Casa da Levada project, by Portuguese studio Tsou Arquitectos, has been selected as one of the five finalists in the Sustainable Private House category of the prestigious Architizer A+Awards 2025. This international recognition once again highlights the excellence, innovation and sustainability of Portuguese architecture.

Public voting is now open until May 16, and you can vote once a day through this direct link.

Casa da Levada has garnered international attention for its sensitive integration into the surrounding landscape and its contemporary architectural approach.

The Portuguese studio Risco Singular has been awarded the BIG SEE Interior Design Award 2025 in the Residential category for excellence in its Riscowhite project. This award strengthens Risco Singular’s position on the international stage and celebrates the collective and creative work of Portuguese architecture.

Architectural photographer Ivo Tavares has been invited to join the jury of the Architectural Photography Competition “Wood in Architecture”, promoted by the FORMA 2025 Festival. Known for his ability to tell stories through imagery, Ivo Tavares brings a sharp and sensitive perspective to the evaluation process, deeply aligned with the essence of the competition.

The “Wood in Architecture” Photography Competition challenges photographers, architects, and image enthusiasts to reflect on wood as a living, cultural, and constructive material within the architectural context. The photographs selected by the jury — which includes Ivo Tavares — will be exhibited at the FORMA Festival, taking place at the Interpretative Center of the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, in Coimbra.

Submissions are open until April 25, 2025, and the guidelines can be found here.

The redevelopment of the Praça do Município in Ribeira de Pena, designed by the AXR - Arquitectura e Design studio, was awarded 3rd place in the ArchDaily Brasil Building of the Year Award 2025 — one of the most prestigious distinctions in Portuguese-language architecture.

This recognition, promoted by ArchDaily Brasil, involved over 700 nominated projects and 25,000 votes. The square stands out for its ability to reconfigure public space as a place of gathering, memory, and collective experience. A project that combines urban design with care for the human scale — now celebrated by a global community.

The project was photographed by Ivo Tavares, in a collaboration that seeks to contribute to the appreciation and visibility of Portuguese architecture, both nationally and internationally.

Portuguese architecture continues to gain national recognition. Gondomar Urban Park, designed by Paulo Merlini Architects, has recently been awarded two major national prizes: the Grand Prize from the Network of Cities and Towns that Walk, and the 1st Prize for “Design of a New Public Space.”

These awards highlight the project's importance in promoting sustainable mobility and in creating urban spaces that foster healthier, more accessible lifestyles in harmony with the natural environment. Gondomar Urban Park stands out for its sensitive integration of nature, pedestrian paths, and public space within a contemporary and human-centered design.

The Grand Prize from the Network of Cities and Towns that Walk celebrates best practices in walkability and pedestrian-friendly planning, while the Design of a New Public Space Prize recognizes innovative urban interventions that enhance quality of life within Portuguese cities.

With this double recognition, the project affirms its place as a landmark in contemporary Portuguese architecture and urbanism.