Vice-Chancelry of the University of Lisbon

After submitting a number of different proposals, Porfírio Pardal Monteiro delivered the final designs for a university campus in Lisbon in 1956. However, his death shortly afterwards left it to the son, António Pardal Monteiro, to complete his uncle’s project. The Vice-Chancelry building was completed in 1961 and includes the Vice-Chancellor’s offices, the administrative departments, as well as the Aula Magna lecture theatre, which had a capacity of 1597, making it the largest auditorium in Lisbon at the time. Daciano da Costa was responsible for the interior design; this was one of his first important works, coming before the National Library and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The building closes off Alameda das Universidades at the top end and incorporates Classic-inspired elements such as the portico with columns and the verticalised design of the façades. In order to underline the name of “House of Knowledge”, works of art were included that allude to and glorify the university spirit, such as panels by Almeida Negreiros and Querubim Lapa, a tapestry by Rogério Ribeiro, mosaics by António Lino, stained glass windows by Lino António and decorative elements by José Farinha, to name just a few of the artworks that complemented the architectural design.