Álvaro Siza, Portugal's first Pritzker Laureate, is undeniably a figure of major importance in the history of contemporary architecture, with projects that have reshaped the urban landscapes of numerous cities around the world. While his name and work are widely known, Siza is a highly private and introspective person who prefers to keep his personal life out of the spotlight.
Directed by producer and director Augusto Custódio, the documentary SIZA offers a more intimate and personal look at the renowned Portuguese architect. The film covers his childhood, his relationship with his wife, his passion for sculpture, and his admiration for classical music, exploring his influences and professional journey.
In Brazil, the documentary's preview will take place on December 12 at MASP, in an invitation-only event. Three days later, on December 15—a date that marks both Architect and Urban Planner Day and Oscar Niemeyer's birthday—the international premiere will take place online via the Gallery streaming platform.
The documentary features contributions from friends and those closest to the architect, who share personal insights into his character and professional journey. The official release took place in June on Gallery, following a private preview event in Portugal.
The film is a celebration of his life and career, highlighting his significance to contemporary architecture and his unique approach to design. As one of the world's most prominent architects, Siza has influenced generations of professionals and will continue to inspire future ones. Special guests featured in the documentary include renowned architects Eduardo Souto de Moura and Carlos Castanheira, both long-time partners and friends of Siza.
Gallery Platform
Gallery is the first global streaming platform to feature an art archive composed of documentaries and series on architecture and design. Through exclusive titles and a cinematic language that transcends traditional media formats, it communicates art in a highly disruptive and impactful way, exploring new dynamics of communication, interaction, and content creation. The Gallery platform offers an immersive, responsive visual experience, fully accessible on smartphones, televisions, and tablets.
Exclusive Sessions
Exclusive Sessions is a series of preview screenings held in iconic locations worldwide. Rather than a simple screening, each event is a celebration of the intersection of architecture, art, and cinema, gathering a select audience of leading professionals, cultural influencers, and designers. It offers an immersive experience alongside prominent figures from the architectural world. At each session, partner brands have the unique opportunity to align themselves with powerful narratives and memorable moments, expanding their reach and strengthening their presence both locally and globally.
Since launching its global tour with a premiere at Casa da Arquitectura in Porto, the SIZA documentary—presented through the Exclusive Sessions format—has been showcased in several cities worldwide through private screenings at art and cultural institutions.
In addition to these exclusive previews, the documentary has been selected for major architecture and film festivals, including the Urban Eye Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, The Norwegian International Film Festival, DAAF - Days of Architecture and Films, and La Biennale. It was also honored with an award at the AFFR - Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam.
ArchDaily is partnering with Gallery for the Exclusive Session at MASP on December 12, as well as for the global launch on December 15, which can be streamed live on the Gallery streaming platform.
This article was written by ArchDaily. The translation is powered by AI.
