Exploring the Architectural Characteristics of Informal Spaces in Alvaro Siza’s Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto

This study analyzed the relationship between the informal architectural spaces of the Porto School of Architecture, designed by Alvaro Siza, and their connection to the site, axis, and light, offering a spatial analysis distinct from conventional approaches. The theoretical framework explored the construction background of Siza’s spaces, the interplay between land and geometry, and the characteristics of informal spaces. Using an analysis of Siza’s architectural works, the study established a framework focusing on the geometric arrangement in relation to the site and surrounding context, the creation of informal spaces through axis alignment, and the transformation of spaces through light. The findings reveal that the spatial characteristics of Siza’s Porto School of Architecture reflect a transformative approach to informal space, driven by the interpretation and adaptation of the site. By aligning an axis that responds to the land’s contours and a reference axis that integrates the landscape, irregular forms such as triangles and trapezoids emerge. Interior spaces are meticulously designed with cross-sectional volumes for light, creating dynamic shifts in scale and volume and evoking an informal spatial quality. This unique approach results from Siza’s detailed analysis of the site’s distinct characteristics and context.