Luiz Conceição International Architecture Prize

Alexandra Paio: is an architect and holds a PhD in Architecture and Urbanism from Iscte. She is an Associate Professor at Iscte and Vice-President of the Portuguese Order of Architects – Lisbon and Tagus Valley Regional Section (2023–2026).
Throughout her academic and institutional career, she has held scientific and pedagogical coordination roles in master’s and doctoral programs, as well as in specialized seminars, with a particular focus on digital innovation, collaborative architecture, and contemporary territories.
She was the founder and Scientific Coordinator of the Vitruvius FabLab-Iscte digital fabrication laboratory (2011–2022) and served as Vice-Director of the Department of Architecture and Urbanism at Iscte (2016–2019).
She has participated in several national and international research projects and is currently Vice-Coordinator of COST OBSERVISTA – Observatory of Innovative Strategies for Repurposing Terrain Vague (2025–2029).
Her research focuses on digital architecture, computational design, housing, public space, and participatory processes, integrating research, teaching, and collaborative practice. She was awarded an Honourable Mention in Research and Teaching at the Forma Prize 2022 and regularly writes opinion articles for the national press.

Ana Moreira: is an architect who graduated in Architecture from Instituto Superior Técnico in 2004.
She began her professional practice at the Mendia+Spencer studio and, in 2008, founded the architecture practice aidmob arquitectura.
She is a researcher and completed her PhD in 2022 at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon, with the thesis Living in Lisbon in the 21st Century: Functional Adequacy of Contemporary Urban Collective Housing to New Ways of Living and Emerging Social Models.
She has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon since 2022, where she teaches in the Integrated Master’s in Architecture (Project and Spatial Analysis of Buildings courses) and in the PhD Program in Architecture (Housing Architecture course).
Since 2024, she has been an integrated researcher at CITUA (IST), developing research in the field of housing, particularly focusing on the analysis of housing programs and models, the evolution of ways of living, and the transformation of domestic space.
Her work seeks to build bridges between Architecture and the Social Sciences by examining the relationship between spatial properties and the use of space, aiming to understand how physical space can enable behaviors, and how behaviors and patterns of use can, in turn, shape space.

José Carvalho: holds a PhD in Architecture and is an Auxiliar Professor and Researcher at MIA/ISMAT (Integrated Master’s in Architecture/Manuel Teixera Gomes Higher Institute, Portimão – Lusófona Group). He is also a researcher at CHAIA (Center for Art History and Artistic Research – University of Évora). Carvalho obtained his PhD from the University of Évora, Portugal, and studied at the University of Seville, Spain, and the University of Lisbon, Portugal. His academic journey includes teaching experiences in Portugal and abroad, as well as participation in various international workshops, projects, and research endeavors. He publishes regularly and holds administrative roles within academic institutions, contributing to the field of architecture and urban design.
In parallel with his academic activity, José Carvalho maintains a professional practice as a senior architect in his own studio.

Nadir Bonaccorso: born in Milan, is an architect, professor, and researcher holding a PhD in Architecture from the University of Évora (2023). His doctoral research, developed through research by design methodologies, focused on low-cost passive strategies to improve thermal comfort in precarious housing in Brazil, combining practical experimentation, computational modeling, and thermodynamic simulation.
He began his academic path at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he completed his degree in Architecture in 1993. Since then, he has developed his professional activity in Portugal, initially at JLCG Arquitectos and, from 1997 onwards, at his own practice, nbAA, active until 2012, the year he published the book fuNking life: 1999–2009 (Caleidoscópio, 2012).
In recent years, his work has focused on teaching and applied research in architecture, bioclimatic design, and urban regeneration.
In parallel, he has consolidated his academic career at the Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes (ISMAT), where he serves as Assistant Professor.
He teaches courses in Design Studio and Construction, guiding students’ work around themes such as circularity in construction, food, energy, water, soil, and housing, drawing on key reports from international organizations.
Since 2024, he has also held the position of Invited Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Lisbon.

Rada Doytcheva: PhD, MBA, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C is Founding Principal and Head of Design at RADA Architects in Chicago. She leads the firm on a mission to create “Better Lives, by Design” – doing what is right, socially responsible and sustainable.
Rada’s architectural work is known for innovative concepts in civic/public, higher education, healthcare, and workplace environments. She comes to her practice with forward-looking ideas of smart planning and humanizing designs.
With a commitment to maximizing opportunities and resources – Rada blends creative vision with rational, purpose-driven design.
Rada’s extraordinary life journey from Eastern Europe to North America has created the opportunity to be an “international” architect with works spanning over three continents – Europe, America and Asia.
Rada has been a bridge and mentor for international exchange throughout her life as an architect. As Chair of the AIA International Committee and a member and a Board member of AIA Europe, she has continuously worked to advocate for global collaboration in architecture, and to foster more visibility to young entrants in the profession, women and minority architects’ participation andequal opportunities for all.

Silvia Covarino: is an architect, urbanist, and scholar specializing in urban planning.
She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a PhD in Rehabilitation and Recovery of Settlements from Sapienza University of Rome. Her research focuses on the socio-anthropological dimensions of contemporary urban environments, with a strong emphasis on participatory planning approaches and human-centered design at the urban landscape scale.
She has extensive experience in the upgrading of settlements across diverse geographic and cultural contexts, including Europe, Central America, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East.
Professor Covarino has made significant contributions to the academic community and international forums through her participation in seminars, workshops, conferences, juries, and design competitions. She has delivered keynote lectures and published extensively in scholarly venues.
She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Architecture and Urban Design Program at the German University in Cairo.

Victor Lourenço:born in Estômbar, in the municipality of Lagoa (Algarve), holds a degree in Architecture from Universidade Lusófona and pursued studies in Engineering at the University of the Algarve.
He has complemented his education with specialized training in urban rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, building thermal performance, and solar architecture and engineering, as well as through participation in seminars, workshops, and conferences dedicated to sustainable housing, architectural and landscape heritage, and public housing. He has maintained an independent professional practice in his own office since 1992, developing continuous work in the field of architecture, based in Portimão.
Throughout his career, he has also played an active role in the institutional and disciplinary life of the profession, having been a member of the Organizing Committee of the Congress of the Portuguese Architects Association in the Algarve in 2018, and currently serving as President of the Disciplinary Council of the Algarve Regional Section of the Portuguese Architects Association.