Being an architect is
Film and talk with Rute Carlos and students from Maia Secondary School, moderated by Cristina Emília Silva, about the work of João Álvaro Rocha
Being an architect is Film and talk with Rute Carlos and students from Maia Secondary School, moderated by Cristina Emília Silva, about the work of João Álvaro Rocha
29 May 2025, Thursday, 4pm, Fernando Távora Auditorium
Based on the life and work of architect João Álvaro Rocha, the Oral History Research Project aims to make the public aware of what it can be like to work in architecture, through the film ‘Being an architect is’ and a podcast with six episodes based on interviews with people who had a relationship with João Álvaro Rocha, in the different aspects of his activity.
The presentation of the film at FAUP will be accompanied by a conversation moderated by Cristina Emília Silva, in which Rute Carlos will recall her experience as a student between 1991 and 1997 at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto, contrasting it with her current teaching role. The dialogue will also include the participation of students from the 12th year of the Arts course at Escola Secundária da Maia, who will share the process of preparing and conducting the interview with the architect.
‘I think there are issues that we think are intuitive, but which have been instilled in us and become part of us, which we imagine as part of us, but which have actually been (...) planted, and which have then grown. And that's very beautiful. It was really beautiful.’ (Rute Carlos, Being an architect is... being a teacher, January 2025).
Among those interviewed in the film are figures close to João Álvaro Rocha, such as José Gigante, architect and former partner; Jorge Rocha, university professor and brother; José Manuel Pozo, critic and lecturer at the Navarra School of Architecture; the painter Fernando Brito, as a client; and António Silva Tiago, mayor of Maia, responsible for several public commissions.
To complement the film, a podcast with the same title was developed, the episodes of which will be released between May and September. The first episode, ‘Being an architect is... being a teacher’, was released earlier this month. It will be followed by episodes dedicated to the other interviews: ‘being a citizen’, ‘being a brother’, ‘being a critic’, ‘being a client’ and ‘being a partner’. All the episodes will be available on the main digital platforms.
The project has the support of the Portuguese Republic - Culture / Directorate-General for the Arts and the Municipality of Maia. It also has the support of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto, Lipor, the Order of Architects - Northern Regional Section, and is publicised by the Marques da Silva Foundation.
Calendar of screenings - Conversations about the film ‘Being an architect is’
Session 1
29th May (Thursday), 16h00
Auditório Fernando Távora - FAUP
A chat with Rute Carlos, Professor of Architecture at the University of Minho, whose interview led to the episode Being an Architect is ... being a teacher, and with the 12th year Arts students from Maia Secondary School, who took part in the interview.
Moderation: Cristina Emília Silva
Session 2
17th June (Tuesday), 18:30
Auditório do Complexo de Educação Ambiental da Quinta da Gruta
Conversation with António Silva Tiago (Mayor of Maia)
Moderation: Conceição Melo
Session 3
5th July (Saturday), 21h30
Casa do Corim
Conversation with Jorge Rocha (João Álvaro Rocha's brother)
Moderation: Conceição Melo
Session 4
September (day to be decided)
Escola Secundária da Maia
Conversation with Fernando Brito (painter and client of João Álvaro Rocha)
Session 5
2nd October (Thursday), 6.30pm
Ordem dos Arquitetos – Secção Regional Norte
Conversation with José Gigante (architect and partner of João Álvaro Rocha) and Luís Urbano (Marques da Silva Foundation)
Moderation: Conceição Melo e Cristina Emília Silva
Initiative: APJAR - Associação Pró-Arquitectura João Álvaro Rocha | Supervisão científica: Cristina Emília Silva | Preparação, realização e edição de entrevistas: Cristina Emília Silva e Maria Conceição Melo | Na entrevista com Rute Carlos - Turma de Artes do 12º ano da Escola Secundária da Maia, e professores Olga Carneiro, Aurora Rocha, Ana Cristina Torres, Joana Rocha | Tratamento audiovisual: Pedro Melo Rocha, Sérgio Ribeiro e Francisco Miranda | Tema musical: Miguel Béco | Tradução (pt- en) - Marta Azevedo | Design Gráfico:Studio Waba - Joana Rocha e Pedro Mota | Apoio: República Portuguesa – Cultura / Direção-Geral das Artes e Câmara Municipal da Maia | Apoios: FAUP, Casa do Corim, Complexo de Educação Ambiental da Quinta da Gruta, Escola Secundária da Maia e Ordem dos Arquitectos – Secção Regional Norte | Apoio à divulgação: Fundação Marques da Silva | Agradecimentos: Aos entrevistados pela generosidade e pelo seu tempo: António Silva Tiago, Fernando Brito, José Manuel Pozo, Rute Carlos, Jorge Rocha e José Gigante.
Free entry, subject to room capacity.
Programme subject to change (without prior notice).
This event may be recorded and publicised by FAUP through photography and video.
FAUP does not issue attendance declarations or online attendance of the event.