José Ribau Esteves
João Nicolau de Almeida
José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira
Architect and founder of NOARQ
Of all the activities he has carried out and carries out, architecture is his passion (and his «penance»). He owes his continued presence in architecture to Siza Vieira, with whom he works regularly. He was born in the north of the country, and it was in Oporto that, through his uncontrollable desire to «want to do better» he founded, in 2001, NOARQ, an architecture practice, a place to «reflect, design and build». The work of José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira has been widely spoken of in the Portuguese and international press. In 2017 he launched a monograph.
Architect, designer, teacher, businessman... what fascinates José Carlos de Oliveira most?
Architect! The deformation, the activity, the thought as an architect is what sets me apart, I feel. All the other activities stem from what makes me different. The projects are my habitat. As pathological as it may seem, architecture is my passion and my penance. Beauty fascinates me. As Saint Augustine said, «beauty is the splendour of truth». Only my work as an architect allows me to look for this as a rule and with commitment.
Does working with architects such as Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura give you a sense of pride? What lessons did you learn through these experiences?
Working with Siza (with Souto Moura coincidentally) was / is a privilege. I believe that I still owe my continued presence in architecture to Siza Vieira. At a critical moment in my life, only the best seemed satisfactory to me. I have been fortunate to find in these people respect for culture, the measure of each thing, honesty of analysis, refusal of artifice, the persistent quest for discipline and truth, dignity of simple things; for that matter it is this restraint in design, the rigor and synthesis that most appeals to me in both of them.
«Anyone who knows me knows my options. I do not admit to failing out of lack of commitment, mine or the team’s. To this end we experiment a lot»
What led you to create NOARQ?
It’s not as if I had an epiphany! Just as banal a wish as «to want to do better». I was young and presumptuous! The name of the practice is as trivial as my initials. There is no interest in the idea of a company, but rather in a place for my desire to reflect, design and build.
What sets NOARQ apart from other practices in terms of practicing architure?
Sets it apart? I don’t know! It is excellent to feel (the insinuation of) distinction. Because distinct is a term that interests me. Because then I’m closer to realising the uncontrollable desire «to want to do better». Anyone who knows me knows my options. I do not admit to failing out of lack of commitment, mine or the team’s. To this end we experiment a lot. Anyhow... we might not be alternative per se, but we are never indistinct.
What new challenges lie ahead?
I believe we are entering a growth phase and at the same time the need for consolidation of the NOARQ (id) entity. I think we are in the process of stabilising procedures, through the greater experience of people, we are more effective. Producing more with less effort. Giving employees better conditions, to the people who share almost everything with me, who take care of my work as if their own.
