British architectural photographer Marc Goodwin has gone behind the scenes to capture 17 architecture studios in Porto, Portugal.
Spotlighting studios across the city, the project is the latest in an ongoing series by Goodwin, the founder of photography studio Archmospheres, in which he documents architecture offices worldwide.
This collection features the studios of Fala Atelier, Joaquim Portela Arquitetos and Diogo Aguiar Studio, and follows the photographer’s documentation of studios in Japan, Taiwan and Vienna.
According to Goodwin, architecture studios in Porto are often small, youthful and focused on adaptive reuse.
“Most of the architects were young,” he told Dezeen. “Most of the studios were small, with one to 10 people.”
“Many of them were working on sustainable solutions to housing through adaptive reuse, modular elements to quickly scale up and things of that ilk,” Goodwin added. “Lots of youthful enthusiasm matched with skill and know-how.”
Reflecting on the series, Goodwin noted the city’s distinct “vibe” he believes is driven by the legacy of renowned Portuguese architects including Álvaro Siza and architects often being placed “at the centre of cultural life”.
“It felt like a cultural scene, not just people at work,” Goodwin said. “It is such a rich cultural hotbed well beyond what one might expect from a relatively small city.”
“There should be way more attention paid to Porto.”
Read on for an exclusive look inside 17 architecture studios across Porto:
Fala Atelier
In this space since: 2018
Number of members of staff: 10
Size: 200 square metres
Building’s history: Residential
Architectural Affairs
In this space since: 2022
Number of members of staff: 1
Size: 250 square metres
Building’s history: Gallery
ATA Atelier
In this space since: 2023
Number of members of staff: 4
Size: 60 square metres
Building’s history: Commercial
Atelierdacosta
In this space since: 2016
Number of members of staff: 9
Size: 120 square metres
Building’s history: Unknown
Atelier Local
In this space since: 2021
Number of members of staff: 2
Size: 150 square metres
Building’s history: Residential and commercial
Colectivo Mel
In this space since: 2014
Number of members of staff: 3
Size: 400 square metres
Building’s history: Residential
Marques de Aguiar Arquitectura e Urbanismo
In this space since: 2018
Number of members of staff: 5
Size: 90 square metres
Building’s history: Residential
Crea-arquitetos
In this space since: 2014
Number of members of staff: 6
Size: 30 square metres
Building’s history: Educational
Diogo Aguiar Studio
In this space since: 2022
Number of members of staff: 8
Size: 250 square metres
Building’s history: Gallery
Experimental
In this space since: 2020
Number of members of staff: 8
Size: 270 square metres
Building’s history: Workshop
FAHR 021.3
In this space since: 2023
Number of members of staff: 3
Size: 326 square metres
Building’s history: Garage
Joaquim Portela Arquitetos
In this space since: 2019
Number of members of staff: 8
Size: 247 square metres
Building’s history: Unknown
Paulo Moreira Architectures
In this space since: 2018
Number of members of staff: 4
Size: 175 square metres
Building’s history: Warehouse
Murmuro
In this space since: 2021
Number of members of staff: 5
Size: 50 square metres
Building’s history: Offices
Nuno Melo Sousa
In this space since: 2012
Number of members of staff: 5
Size: 100 square metres
Building’s history: Garage
Oitoo
In this space since: 2018
Number of members of staff: 10
Size: 600 square metres
Building’s history: Warehouse
Summary
In this space since: 2019
Number of members of staff: 10
Size: 100 square metres
Building’s history: Industrial
