7/8 – 2012

Porto

In fact we had expected to find many connections to Switzerland in Porto – links between Europe’s outermost edge and its heart. This was suggested by a number of things: the “School of Porto” shares with Swiss architecture a respect for history and a love of handcraft in both design and construction. But the relationship turned out to be as one-sided as the streams of migration between the two countries. Camilo Rebelo, born in 1972 and the personification of a bridge between the countries – he worked for Souto de Moura as well as for Herzog & de Meuron –, puts it succinctly: Portugal’s art of improvisation is diametrically opposed to the marked Swiss penchant for perfection. His illuminating comparison: “squid with rice versus polished stainless steel”. Consequently this year’s city issue does not praise the discovery of hidden relationships; rather, against the background of the European economic crisis, it calls for an on-site reappraisal of the situation. Using the language of the crisis experts the triad of resets can be quickly described: unsparing analysis – trust in one’s own values – hopeful look towards the future.