Until 16 February 2025, applications are open for the first MAC/CCB – Architecture Centre grants, designed to support creation, research and experimentation in the field of contemporary architecture.

Created in tribute to architect Diogo Seixas Lopes (1972-2016), a central figure in Portuguese architectural thought, the creation grants seek to encourage critical thinking and the development of projects around the main thematic lines of the Architecture Centre.

The competition is open to all individuals or groups whose research focuses on architecture. In this first edition, the thematic line to be worked on will be ‘Interspecies’. Two grants of €10,000 per year will be awarded, under the supervision of Maria Pestana, Chief Curator of the MAC/CCB Architecture Centre. Applications must be formalised by filling in a form, which must include the project proposal, accompanied by a specification of its relationship to the thematic lines of the Architecture Centre. A jury made up of Julia Albani, Marta Mestre and Sofia Passadouro will be responsible for assessing and selecting the applications during February and March 2025.

In addition to these grants, applications are also open for two residency spaces at Garagem Sul. The assignment of these workspaces, available for a period of 5 months, from April to September 2025, is intended to support projects that need a space to experiment and realise their proposals. The aim is for the projects in residence to be integrated into the dynamics of the Architecture Centre, taking part in open studio sessions and public presentations of their work.

As with the creation grants, applications must be submitted by filling in a form, where each organisation must present its proposal for development in residence. The projects will be supported to the value of €1,000, intended to cover some of its execution costs. The jury responsible for evaluating and selecting the projects for the spaces is made up of Pedro Campos Costa, Margarida Ventosa and Sofia Passadouro.

The results of both open calls will be announced on 2 April 2025, the date of the Architecture Centre’s reopening.