About
The depA collective was created in Porto in 2009. It is now run by Carlos Azevedo, João Crisóstomo and Luís Sobral and its staff covers the areas of architecture and the social sciences.
depA is focused on researching architectural practice through active listening on the idiosyncrasies of each project. There is a specific commitment to the dimension of time in the interventions: ranging from the interpretation of existing structures and architectural heritage to the open and progressive reintegration of spatial systems.
Some examples are the Casa da Cultura de Pinhel (Pinhel House of Culture), winner of the prize for best museum practice and an honourable mention by the Portuguese Association of Museology (2016), Casa do Rosário (Rosário House), winner of the Concreta Under 40 award (2017), honourable mention in the Nuno Teotónio Pereira prize in 2019 and honourable mention in the João de Almada Prize in 2019 and the Pavilhão do Lago (Lake Pavilion), winner of the FAD awards, in 2018.
Alongside this depA seeks to keep its practices and investigations relevant by taking part in competitions, which are special moments for wide-ranging and compelling research. Among them is the first prize achieved for the design of the Santiago Ydañez Museum of Contemporary Art (2010), in Jaén, Spain; the second place in the public tender for the renewal of Quinta de Baixo (2014), in Porto, and the first place for the design of the Mechanized Pedestrian Paths(2017), in collaboration with Pablo Pita architects, which will connect the riverside area of Porto to the upper town.
The collective has also designed more artistically focused projects that challenge the approach to architectural techniques, as well as being catalysts to a more pluralistic and cross-disciplinary conceptualisation. It was invited to design the set of the Fórum do Futuro (Forum of the Future) in 2018 and, that same year, Pavilhão do Lago (Lake Pavilion), built at Serralves Park as part of the 32nd São Paulo Bienalle - ‘Incerteza Viva’ (Living Uncertainty), was selected to be exhibited at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition, as part of the 2018 Biennale di Venezia, while Sulco (2019) is part of the Desencaminharte project, which recognises and values artistic production in the Alto Minho region of Portugal. Alongside these projects, depA has also worked with Daniel Steegman, Lais Myrrha and Dayana Lucas, in close collaboration for the production of their projects.
In 2019, depA was awarded the tender for the curatorship of the Portuguese representation at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, in 2020, with the In Conflict project.
Team
Ângela Meireles
depA’s associate architect. Master degree in Architecture, from FAUP (University of Porto), 2016, with an erasmus scholarship given for an exchange year with AA Mendrisio, in Switzerland. In 2015, completed an academic internship on SAM Architekten AG studio, in Zurique.
a.meireles@depa.pt
depA’s associate architect. Master degree in Architecture, from FAUP (University of Porto), 2016, with an erasmus scholarship given for an exchange year with AA Mendrisio, in Switzerland. In 2015, completed an academic internship on SAM Architekten AG studio, in Zurique.
a.meireles@depa.pt
Carlos Azevedo
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program on Delft Technical University in Netherlands. Between 2007 and 2012 has worked with José Gigante Arquitecto atelier, developing various projects in Portugal and abroad, in partnership or co-authorship. From 2012 to 2014, worked for MVCC Arquitectos and BalmondStudio atelier, in London.
c.azevedo@depa.pt
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program on Delft Technical University in Netherlands. Between 2007 and 2012 has worked with José Gigante Arquitecto atelier, developing various projects in Portugal and abroad, in partnership or co-authorship. From 2012 to 2014, worked for MVCC Arquitectos and BalmondStudio atelier, in London.
c.azevedo@depa.pt
Hugo Silva
Master degree in Architecture, from Coimbra University.
Between 2018 and 2019 worked for António Bettencourt.
In 2019 he also worked for Lima e Paixão in competitions.
In 2020 completed an professional internship on João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto.
h.silva@depa.pt
Master degree in Architecture, from Coimbra University.
Between 2018 and 2019 worked for António Bettencourt.
In 2019 he also worked for Lima e Paixão in competitions.
In 2020 completed an professional internship on João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto.
h.silva@depa.pt
Joana Dias
Holds a master degree from FAUP, with one year spent at Instituto
Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (IUAV) through Erasmus programme, in 2013/2014.
Between 2016 and 2020 has worked with several companies like Cirurgias Urbanas II – Arquitectura e Reabilitação and MAG – Marques de Aguiar Arquitectura e Urbanismo.
j.dias@depa.pt
Holds a master degree from FAUP, with one year spent at Instituto
Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (IUAV) through Erasmus programme, in 2013/2014.
Between 2016 and 2020 has worked with several companies like Cirurgias Urbanas II – Arquitectura e Reabilitação and MAG – Marques de Aguiar Arquitectura e Urbanismo.
j.dias@depa.pt
João Crisóstomo
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program at Delft Technical University in Netherlands. Director of NU Magazine in 2007/2008. Until 2012 worked for Pedra Líquida atelier, developing projects in partnership or co-authorship, with special focus on rehabilitation projects. Until 2014, worked for MVCC Arquitectos and BalmondStudio atelier. Is a guest teacher at Coimbra University since 2018. Is currently doing a Phd at Coimbra University.
j.crisostomo@depa.pt
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program at Delft Technical University in Netherlands. Director of NU Magazine in 2007/2008. Until 2012 worked for Pedra Líquida atelier, developing projects in partnership or co-authorship, with special focus on rehabilitation projects. Until 2014, worked for MVCC Arquitectos and BalmondStudio atelier. Is a guest teacher at Coimbra University since 2018. Is currently doing a Phd at Coimbra University.
j.crisostomo@depa.pt
Luís Sobral
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program on École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, on Switzerland. In 2007 worked in José Gigante Arquitecto atelier and, between 2008 and 2015 worked for Pedra Líquida atelier, developing projects in partnership or co-authorship, with special focus on rehabilitation projects. Is a guest teacher at University of Coimbra since 2018. Is currently doing a Phd at Coimbra University.
l.sobral@depa.pt
depA’s co-founder architect, in 2009. Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2009. Had an exchange year under Erasmus program on École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, on Switzerland. In 2007 worked in José Gigante Arquitecto atelier and, between 2008 and 2015 worked for Pedra Líquida atelier, developing projects in partnership or co-authorship, with special focus on rehabilitation projects. Is a guest teacher at University of Coimbra since 2018. Is currently doing a Phd at Coimbra University.
l.sobral@depa.pt
Luísa Marques
Degree in Architecture, from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2006. Had an Exchange year under Erasmus program at the University of Rome (La Sapienza), Italy. Between 2007 and 2020 worked with several companies, among which stand out Cannatá & Fernandes, Belém Lima Arquitectos, Machado Costa - Arquitectos Associados. From 2013 to 2017, worked for REARCH and Atelier d’Architecture Mathen, in Belgium.
l.marque@depa.pt
Degree in Architecture, from DARQ (University of Coimbra), 2006. Had an Exchange year under Erasmus program at the University of Rome (La Sapienza), Italy. Between 2007 and 2020 worked with several companies, among which stand out Cannatá & Fernandes, Belém Lima Arquitectos, Machado Costa - Arquitectos Associados. From 2013 to 2017, worked for REARCH and Atelier d’Architecture Mathen, in Belgium.
l.marque@depa.pt
Manuel Vilaça
Has a master degree from Coimbra University - Architecture Department. Received an erasmus scholarship to study at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, in Chile. In 2018 worked with Jorge Teixeira Dias Architects.
m.vilaca@depa.pt
Has a master degree from Coimbra University - Architecture Department. Received an erasmus scholarship to study at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, in Chile. In 2018 worked with Jorge Teixeira Dias Architects.
m.vilaca@depa.pt
Margarida Leitão
Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra) and made an exchange year through erasmus program in NTNU, Norway. Has a degree in advanced studies in Architectonic Heritage, from FAUP (University of Porto). Between 2010 and 2014 worked with Joaquim Portela Arquitectos atelier, Clínica de Arquitectura and António Portugal e Manuel Reis Arquitectos e Associados office.
m.leitao@depa.pt
Holds a master degree from DARQ (University of Coimbra) and made an exchange year through erasmus program in NTNU, Norway. Has a degree in advanced studies in Architectonic Heritage, from FAUP (University of Porto). Between 2010 and 2014 worked with Joaquim Portela Arquitectos atelier, Clínica de Arquitectura and António Portugal e Manuel Reis Arquitectos e Associados office.
m.leitao@depa.pt