Bouça Housing by Álvaro Siza

DATE

27.11.2025

Originally commissioned in the 1970s by the SAAL cooperative, the project emerged in a political context of transformation following the Carnation Revolution, when architecture was understood as an instrument of social justice. Siza responded to this challenge with a design that combined economy of means, urban sensitivity, and dignity for the residents.

The complex is organized into a series of narrow, tall linear blocks, with a clear volumetric expression and strict modulation. The use of the duplex typology allowed for spatial optimisation, improved ventilation, and bright, functional dwellings despite the limited budget. The repetition of modules and the continuity of façades create a unified yet flexible image, able to adapt to the real needs of the community.

At the urban level, Bouça is conceived as an open and permeable system. The passages, courtyards, and intermediate paths create meeting places that strengthen the sense of community—an essential aspect for Siza in social architecture. Rather than an isolated development, Bouça is integrated into the fabric of the city, offering alternatives to the standardised outskirts that often characterised affordable housing at the time.

Although the project remained partially unfinished for decades, it was finally completed in the 2000s following Siza’s original design. This late completion not only revitalised the neighbourhood but also demonstrated the enduring relevance of its architectural and social principles. Today, Bouça is recognised as an international reference in public architecture and as an example of how attentive and responsible design can profoundly improve everyday life.

MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

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