Alcino Soutinho

Alcino Soutinho (1930-2013), architect with an intrinsic connection to the “Porto School”, obtained his diploma in 1959, at the then School of Fine Arts of Porto.
He has always reconciled design practice with teaching, and has been an active figure in the construction of the debate and dissemination of architecture, through participation in conferences, debates and the publication of articles in books and journals. He has held public positions in important institutions, such as the Portuguese Design Centre (1998-2001), the Árvore Artistic Activities Cooperative (2003-2006) or the Architects’ Association (1999-2002).
Architect with a prolific professional practice of approximately five decades, recognised and awarded nationally and internationally, demonstrated by a wide range of works, from north to south of the country. Examples such as the building of the Amadeo de Souza Cardoso Library-Museum, Amarante (1977 – AICA Prize), the restoration of the Castle of Cerveira (1982 – “Europa Nostra” Prize), the Museum of Neo-Realism of Vila Franca de Xira (2001), or the emblematic building of the Matosinhos City Hall (1981), to which the building of the new Florbela Espanca Library and Municipal Gallery of Matosinhos (2005) was associated, attest to the mastery of an architectural language characterised by technical knowledge, constructive solidity and a notable suitability to location and function.