Eduardo Souto de Moura: UIA Gold Medal 2026
FECHA
07.05.2026
The International Union of Architects (UIA) has awarded its highest honor, the 2026 Gold Medal, to architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, recognizing a career that has been fundamental to the evolution of the discipline in recent decades. This award, one of the most prestigious globally, adds to an exceptional list of accolades already held by the Portuguese architect, consolidating his position as one of the most influential figures in contemporary architecture. The jury’s decision highlights the technical quality of his work and his ability to imbue each project with a unique poetic depth and sensitivity.
Born in Porto, Souto de Moura developed much of his architectural language through close collaboration with Álvaro Siza, another key figure with whom he shares a vision of architecture rooted in context and materiality. His independent career took off with a series of residential projects that already showed signs of his formal rigor and interest in landscape integration. Over time, his work has evolved from a minimalist interpretation of tradition to a maturity where sobriety and monumentality coexist in harmony.
Among his most emblematic works are the Braga Municipal Stadium, where the architecture literally merges with the rock of the adjacent quarry; the Paula Rego House of Stories in Cascais, known for its distinctive pyramidal towers of pigmented concrete; and the house in Moledo, which stands out for its materiality. These projects exemplify his mastery in the use of materials and his ability to create spaces that, while deeply modern, maintain a constant dialogue with history and the site where they are established. Every building signed by Souto de Moura is a lesson in constructive precision and respect for the environment.
The UIA Gold Medal arrives after he received the Pritzker Prize in 2011 and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2018, milestones that mark the international relevance of his work. The UIA jury particularly valued his ethical commitment to the profession and his ability to elevate architecture to an art form that effectively responds to functional needs without renouncing beauty. His legacy is characterized by an unceasing search for the essence of architecture, stripped of unnecessary artifices.
This recognition celebrates the individual genius of Eduardo Souto de Moura and highlights the relevance of an architecture that bets on durability and timeless elegance. His influence extends to new generations of architects who see in his working method a perfect balance between constructive technique and creative intuition. With the presentation of this medal, the international architectural community pays tribute to a master who has known how to transform matter into habitable poetry.
MArch Valencia. Arquitectura y Diseño
© 2026 MArch Valencia. Arquitectura y Diseño
Privacy policy | Cookies policy | Terms of use