The architect Álvaro Siza Vieira was born in 1933, in the city of Matosinhos, Portugal. Between 1949 and 1955, he studied at the Architecture School of the University of Oporto, where he would later teach. At the beginning of his career he collaborated with the architect Fernando Távora and soon became involved in a collective idea of the time: to neither be a traditionalist or to ignore one's roots.

Siza's work since then has fit no labels. In a retrospective look at his work it is possible to discern themes, styles, and recurrent forms, but the architect is in continual search of the new - a vitality that can be verified from his many sketches and plans.

On being selected to design the Iberê Camargo Museum in Porto Alegre, Álvaro Siza demonstrated all his creative energy: the project was awarded the Golden Lion at the 8th Venice Architecture Biennial, which is one of the most important events in the field. The design carefully explores light, texture, movement and space, and favours the direct relationship between the spectator and the work of art to further enrich the contact with Iberê Camargo's work.