Visiting Scholar Filipe João Guimaraes

I am a Visiting Scholar from the School of Architecture Faculty at the University of Oporto. I decided to spend a semester at the University of California, Berkeley to conduct research for my thesis, which is required for completion of the 6 year degree program at my University. My thesis will address the interrelationship between urbanism and architecture. Of particular personal interest is the urban development of waterfronts. Under the suggestion of the vice-chancellor of my University, I decided to come to Berkeley to study and conduct research with Professor David Dowall. Additionally, I would be making arrangements for an exhibition on Modern Portuguese Architecture (this exhibition is being co-sponsored by the Architecture Faculty, Porto University, the Portuguese Studies Program and the Architecture Department at Berkeley). I knew it would be a challenge, but I accepted it, and here I am.

Visiting Scholar Filipe João Guimaraes

While at Berkeley, I will be presenting the results of my last research project "Porto: Reconstruction of the Historical Center," at both UC Berkeley and UCLA. The focus of this project, which uses the city of Porto as a case study, is the recovery and restoration of that city's historical center, and provides a historical profile of the city and of the events that impelled its growth and development. In the project, I addressed the form in which the growth of the second most important city in Portugal was influenced by governmental, commercial and strategic interests and how these sometimes conflicting forces contributed to the construction of Porto. Indeed, the recovery and restoration of the historic centers of medieval cities is, to me, one of the most interesting and challenging fields in architecture.

For my thesis, I want compare how old waterfront centers are recovered in North America and in Europe. I feel that a comparative study is vital, since the same problems of degradation and contamination are frequently found along the waterfront of many larger cities, both in North America and in Europe.

Work experience

I have worked with the following architects:

Mr. Alvaro Siza Vieira

Mr. Joao Rapagao

I have worked on the following projects:

Residence of Mr. Manuel Agostinho da Silva(reconstruction of a nineteen century house)

Plan for the pavilion of the Europe Council at the Expo98 in Lisbon

Scheduled projects:

Restaurant Donna Olimpia , Negereiros Portugal(restoration and conversion of a 19th century residential dwelling)

Publications:

"Poema a Vida" - Poetry by Maria Otilia - Illustrations by Filipe João Guimaraes.

Exhibits:

Works in water-color at the Youth Art Center in Porto

Drawing in the themes of architecture and urbanism at the School of Architecture of the University of Porto.

I wish to thank Professor David Dowall, the Portuguese Studies Program and the Institute of European Studies for their time and support, since without them, I would not be able to gather the data necessary to complete my final dissertation project.