4 October 2025
Opening of the exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’ with a lecture by the Japanese architect
Next weekend, 4 and 5 October, Casa da Arquitectura will open the exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’, with a special two-day programme of activities open to the public.
The highlight of the opening will take place on Saturday, 4 October, at 6 pm, with a lecture by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma at the Álvaro Siza Space, in English with simultaneous translation into Portuguese.
Before that, at 4 pm, there will be the official opening of the exhibition, with a guided tour and institutional speeches. The day will end with a cocktail reception at 7:30 pm.
On Saturday, between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm, children between the ages of 5 and 12 will be able to participate in the activity ‘Architectural Backpacks,’ which offers a playful exploration of the exhibition.
On Sunday, 5 October, at 11 a.m., architect Rita Topa, partner at Kengo Kuma & Associates, will lead a guided tour.
The day also includes the workshop ‘Special Construction: Onomatopoeia’ (10 a.m.–12 p.m.), at Espaço Caleidoscópio, for children aged 3 and up and adults, and two workshops with prior registration and a limit of 15 participants, at Espaço Luís Ferreira Alves: the Master Class on Models (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) and the Onomatopoeia Game (2 p.m.–5 p.m.).
Admission is free for all exhibitions and activities, with registration required only for Sunday workshops. The Architecture Centre will be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The highlight of the opening will take place on Saturday, 4 October, at 6 pm, with a lecture by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma at the Álvaro Siza Space, in English with simultaneous translation into Portuguese.
Before that, at 4 pm, there will be the official opening of the exhibition, with a guided tour and institutional speeches. The day will end with a cocktail reception at 7:30 pm.
On Saturday, between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm, children between the ages of 5 and 12 will be able to participate in the activity ‘Architectural Backpacks,’ which offers a playful exploration of the exhibition.
On Sunday, 5 October, at 11 a.m., architect Rita Topa, partner at Kengo Kuma & Associates, will lead a guided tour.
The day also includes the workshop ‘Special Construction: Onomatopoeia’ (10 a.m.–12 p.m.), at Espaço Caleidoscópio, for children aged 3 and up and adults, and two workshops with prior registration and a limit of 15 participants, at Espaço Luís Ferreira Alves: the Master Class on Models (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) and the Onomatopoeia Game (2 p.m.–5 p.m.).
Admission is free for all exhibitions and activities, with registration required only for Sunday workshops. The Architecture Centre will be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
INAUGURAL PROGRAMME
4 October / Saturday
4pm / Exhibition hall
Exhibition opening
(includes visit to the exhibition and institutional opening speeches)
6:00 p.m. / Álvaro Siza Space
Kengo Kuma Conference
(in English, with simultaneous translation into Portuguese)
7:30 p.m. / Álvaro Siza Space
Cocktail reception
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. / Exhibition Hall
Architectural backpacks exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’
Ages 5 to 12
5 October / Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Exhibition Hall
Architectural backpacks exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’
5 to 12 years old
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. / Kaleidoscope Space
Special Construction Workshop ‘Onomatopoeia’
> 3 years old & adults
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. / Luis Ferreira Alves Space
Workshop 1 - Masterclass on models
Immerse yourself in advanced modelling techniques in this practical masterclass. Explore materials, practise precise cutting and joining methods, and learn how to apply textures, colours and realistic details to landscapes. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to try out professional model-making processes and produce ‘catalogue elements’ for exhibitions.
Max. 15 participants
Free / register here
11:00 a.m. / Exhibition Hall
Guided tour of the exhibition by Rita Topa (Partner Kengo Kuma & Associates)
2:00-5:00 p.m. / Luis Ferreira Alves Space
Workshop 2 - Onomatopoeia Game
In this creative and relaxed workshop, transform the sounds and sensations of architecture into a miniature! Select one of the onomatopoeias and use simple materials to create a house, a pavilion or a sculpture that conveys the sensation and texture of your choice. At the end, all the creations are brought together and imagination and sensory exploration are celebrated.
Max. 15 participants
Free / register here
4 October / Saturday
4pm / Exhibition hall
Exhibition opening
(includes visit to the exhibition and institutional opening speeches)
6:00 p.m. / Álvaro Siza Space
Kengo Kuma Conference
(in English, with simultaneous translation into Portuguese)
7:30 p.m. / Álvaro Siza Space
Cocktail reception
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. / Exhibition Hall
Architectural backpacks exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’
Ages 5 to 12
5 October / Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Exhibition Hall
Architectural backpacks exhibition ‘Kengo Kuma: Onomatopoeia’
5 to 12 years old
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. / Kaleidoscope Space
Special Construction Workshop ‘Onomatopoeia’
> 3 years old & adults
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. / Luis Ferreira Alves Space
Workshop 1 - Masterclass on models
Immerse yourself in advanced modelling techniques in this practical masterclass. Explore materials, practise precise cutting and joining methods, and learn how to apply textures, colours and realistic details to landscapes. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to try out professional model-making processes and produce ‘catalogue elements’ for exhibitions.
Max. 15 participants
Free / register here
11:00 a.m. / Exhibition Hall
Guided tour of the exhibition by Rita Topa (Partner Kengo Kuma & Associates)
2:00-5:00 p.m. / Luis Ferreira Alves Space
Workshop 2 - Onomatopoeia Game
In this creative and relaxed workshop, transform the sounds and sensations of architecture into a miniature! Select one of the onomatopoeias and use simple materials to create a house, a pavilion or a sculpture that conveys the sensation and texture of your choice. At the end, all the creations are brought together and imagination and sensory exploration are celebrated.
Max. 15 participants
Free / register here
Institucional Partner
Portuguese contemporary art network
Strategic Partner
Main sponsor of Casa da Arquitectura
Sponsor of Casa da Arquitectura
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