AA Visiting School Lisbon

From 2 to 12 April 2013, Lisbon hosted the Architectural Association (AA), in the context of its Visiting School Lisbon programme, in an unprecedented moment of its first workshop for architecture students and young professionals in the Portuguese capital. 

Design for Change was an exercise focused on the use of generative digital techniques as a means to analyze and transform the empty buildings of the city of Lisbon. The programme of this prestigious British school of architecture included classes, project development, study of urban sites, lectures and a final presentation with a panel of guests. Students of the most diverse nationalities develop their knowledge about design techniques - such as parametric modeling - currently at the forefront of innovation in architecture, and crucial for professional competitiveness in the near future.

Organized in collaboration with the Lisbon Architecture Triennale, the Architectural Association Visiting School Lisbon (AAVSLX) has thus made known their teaching and learning methods, bringing together an international group of highly accredited students and teachers. According to João Bravo da Costa, Director of the AAVSLX: In addition to providing technical qualifications, the workshop places these them in the context of the city and its real issues. We believe that real issues and real problems are the strongest stimulus to significant innovation.

During eleven days, Sinel de Cordes Palace was the home for this intensive training, project work and discussion workshop under the guidance of professors from the Architectural Association, a school created in 1847 as a public forum and erudite society, shaping and teaching world renowned architects such as Rem Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers and Peter Cook.