First Lisbon Architecture Triennial to Focus on Filling Urban Voids

The first Lisbon Architecture Triennial, a festival with an international following, will take place from May 31 to June 31, 2007, with an international following. The Triennial will focus on the "Urban Voids" in contemporary cities, such as Lisbon.

(PRWeb) March 8, 2007 -- Some of the most talented thinkers, planners and designers in the field of architecture will participate in Triennial events, which include nine exhibitions, one seminar, three competitions and other activities. Experts from the United States, Europe and Japan will examine the potential of urban empty spaces and their promise of urban regeneration.

Triennial events will take place around metro Lisbon, but also in the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações), itself a perfect example of transforming a past urban void into a new business and social center. The Park of Nations was constructed for the 1998 World's Fair in Lisbon, modernizing a rundown waterfront in the city's northeast section and paving the way for continued urban redevelopment. The Portugal Pavilion within the Park of Nations was created by the Portuguese architect Álvaro de Siza Vieira.

Portugal's architectural history will be a fitting backdrop for discussing the challenges facing the field of architecture, from city building to regional planning. Innovations in architecture have come to symbolize modern Portugal, especially with recent projects in Lisbon and Porto.

The evolution of architecture in Portugal will be the connection for a discussion and reflection about of the many challenges related to the field from the building of the city to regional planning.

The entire event will be held in Nations Park, the perfect example of a area that was literally dead, being transformed into a new social and business center of life. Facilities constructed for the 1998 World's Fair in Lisbon modernized a section of rundown waterfront in the city's northeast and opened the way for continued urban redevelopment. Today, a commercial and cultural center called the Park of Nations stands on the former fairgrounds.

In addition to seminars and exhibitions, the Triennial includes three competitions, all using the urban void theme. Architects will submit projects to revitalize Oruro's shipyard, while architecture students --from Portugal or elsewhere--can submit ideas for regenerating five zones from Lisbon and the cities of Almada and Barreiro. The third competition, "Interventions in the City," is open to any citizen, but requires an architect or architecture student on the project team. Winning projects in this competition will be exhibited during the Triennial.

http://www.trienaldelisboa.com/

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