They say that virtue lies in the middle. Well, it was right in the middle of Portugal, in Beira Litoral, that Sílvia Bernardino first saw the world in colour. Leiria is the architect’s homeland, which has always seen a lot of construction along the city streets. After spending her childhood and youth here, she left for Coimbra to study architecture at Coimbra University School of Arts (EUAC). The year was 1998. After years dedicated to architecture and interior design projects, in 2000 she taught in a school in the city. Years later, in 2007, she founded the studio ONZE – in partnership with architect Paulo Azevedo Pinto – where, until today, she still works in the city of her birth. In 2013, she created the IMPROVISO project, of which she is the mentor. And ‘improvising’... well, that’s what she’s an expert in!
When you had the idea for Improviso, in 2013, what did you imagine for the project?
Who better than an improviser to describe this project of ours. I leave you with a text by improviser Carla de Sousa, which describes what ‘improvising’ is for me: "In December 2013, the first IMPROVISO came into being under the baton of architect Sílvia Bernardino, in Leiria. A pop up store (...). In a large space ready to be experienced by a group of creators from various areas where the motto of Portuguese product was assumed as a statement and source of inspiration. I remember that opposite the side door that, for the first time, led me into the space, there was a phrase tattooed on the wall: ‘I don’t know how to live. I’m improvising’. There are no coincidences, I usually say. Only an IMPROVISO [IMPROVISATION] made sense there. I suggested that name to the group and it made sense to everyone.I also remember my friend Sílvia’s challenge with a smile and enormous affection for having been chosen for this project. It was made by phone on an early Monday afternoon. When I accepted (how could I refuse?!), I asked: and when do we open? Immediate answer from the other end of the phone (after a smile): Next Saturday! That’s how the adventure began. The team dynamic and the challenges thrown down by the mentor to her ‘improvisers’ made the setting up of the shop, done in a few days, a daily focus of adrenaline and good spirits. It was a space experienced intensely by everyone and this spirit has remained from Improvisation to Improvisation (...). More new things were still waiting for us. Other ‘Improvisations’ have emerged, but it is in S. Pedro de Moel that my smile awaits me, and at this moment I am preparing to open the doors in this summer 2020.”
Do your interests go beyond architecture?
Yes! I love to improvise, photograph, travel, collect, be with friends and I even discovered, in the last months, that I even like cooking! (she laughs)
You are a driving force in culture in Leiria. Is this because of pride and the desire to do more for the place where you were born?
I like to improvise! To say yes to the challenges of life as they arise. It is with a smile that I participate in a city festival doing urban projects, photographing words in a blog, or surrounded by 50 photographers, as in the first instameet of the city, or in workshops in the beautiful Moinho do Papel building visiting in Leiria. Whether, currently, as part of Leiria’s application to become the European Capital of Culture | Rede Cultura 2027, or simply to collaborate, recently, with the OA [Portuguese Architects’ Association] through the centre [figures on the winning list - the C list].
What inspires you in terms of architecture?
People, their tastes; their expectations, their feelings; the places, using materials from the area, as well as the local craftspeople; the first risk, each work has to tell a story. The risk - of taking risks - is my profession. (she laughs)
"I LOVE TO IMPROVISE, PHOTOGRAPH, TRAVEL, COLLECT, BE WITH FRIENDS AND I EVEN DISCOVERED, IN THE LAST MONTHS, THAT I EVEN LIKE COOKING!"
What was the most challenging project you have ever developed?
The renovation of the Oeiras Ocean Swimming Pools. The challenge was simple: to breathe new life into the pools, and time wasn’t on our side! I visited, on a rainy winter day, some deserted and colourless pools. Work really needed to be done for them to open their doors the following summer. I decided to add another architect to the team, Filipe Gonçalves, and a writer, Paulo Kellerman. The presentation of the idea would then be a 3D journey accompanied by a story: "a drop of water that wanted to dive”. The journey showed the idea to be presented to the jury in 3D: project, work and interiors. Even today I smile when I remember the team spirit that was created, both in those who believed in us and in the fantastic team I took with me from Leiria.
What did it mean to you to be recognised with the Margres Architecture Award 2019?
A big smile! There are projects and clients that deserve an ‘award’. This award was, for the first time, given to a woman and was designed from woman to woman (she laughs). It is proof that we can make it happen. It is the recognition of our art, of our work. I am happy!
When you had the idea for Improviso, in 2013, what did you imagine for the project?
Who better than an improviser to describe this project of ours. I leave you with a text by improviser Carla de Sousa, which describes what ‘improvising’ is for me: "In December 2013, the first IMPROVISO came into being under the baton of architect Sílvia Bernardino, in Leiria. A pop up store (...). In a large space ready to be experienced by a group of creators from various areas where the motto of Portuguese product was assumed as a statement and source of inspiration. I remember that opposite the side door that, for the first time, led me into the space, there was a phrase tattooed on the wall: ‘I don’t know how to live. I’m improvising’. There are no coincidences, I usually say. Only an IMPROVISO [IMPROVISATION] made sense there. I suggested that name to the group and it made sense to everyone.I also remember my friend Sílvia’s challenge with a smile and enormous affection for having been chosen for this project. It was made by phone on an early Monday afternoon. When I accepted (how could I refuse?!), I asked: and when do we open? Immediate answer from the other end of the phone (after a smile): Next Saturday! That’s how the adventure began. The team dynamic and the challenges thrown down by the mentor to her ‘improvisers’ made the setting up of the shop, done in a few days, a daily focus of adrenaline and good spirits. It was a space experienced intensely by everyone and this spirit has remained from Improvisation to Improvisation (...). More new things were still waiting for us. Other ‘Improvisations’ have emerged, but it is in S. Pedro de Moel that my smile awaits me, and at this moment I am preparing to open the doors in this summer 2020.”
Do your interests go beyond architecture?
Yes! I love to improvise, photograph, travel, collect, be with friends and I even discovered, in the last months, that I even like cooking! (she laughs)
You are a driving force in culture in Leiria. Is this because of pride and the desire to do more for the place where you were born?
I like to improvise! To say yes to the challenges of life as they arise. It is with a smile that I participate in a city festival doing urban projects, photographing words in a blog, or surrounded by 50 photographers, as in the first instameet of the city, or in workshops in the beautiful Moinho do Papel building visiting in Leiria. Whether, currently, as part of Leiria’s application to become the European Capital of Culture | Rede Cultura 2027, or simply to collaborate, recently, with the OA [Portuguese Architects’ Association] through the centre [figures on the winning list - the C list].
What inspires you in terms of architecture?
People, their tastes; their expectations, their feelings; the places, using materials from the area, as well as the local craftspeople; the first risk, each work has to tell a story. The risk - of taking risks - is my profession. (she laughs)
"I LOVE TO IMPROVISE, PHOTOGRAPH, TRAVEL, COLLECT, BE WITH FRIENDS AND I EVEN DISCOVERED, IN THE LAST MONTHS, THAT I EVEN LIKE COOKING!"
What was the most challenging project you have ever developed?
The renovation of the Oeiras Ocean Swimming Pools. The challenge was simple: to breathe new life into the pools, and time wasn’t on our side! I visited, on a rainy winter day, some deserted and colourless pools. Work really needed to be done for them to open their doors the following summer. I decided to add another architect to the team, Filipe Gonçalves, and a writer, Paulo Kellerman. The presentation of the idea would then be a 3D journey accompanied by a story: "a drop of water that wanted to dive”. The journey showed the idea to be presented to the jury in 3D: project, work and interiors. Even today I smile when I remember the team spirit that was created, both in those who believed in us and in the fantastic team I took with me from Leiria.
What did it mean to you to be recognised with the Margres Architecture Award 2019?
A big smile! There are projects and clients that deserve an ‘award’. This award was, for the first time, given to a woman and was designed from woman to woman (she laughs). It is proof that we can make it happen. It is the recognition of our art, of our work. I am happy!
