Souto de Moura has been awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture

Eduardo Souto de Moura has been awarded the Golden Lion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibit at the Venice Biennale, which opened on 26th May. Portugal enters the competition with the "Public Without Rethoric" exhibition.

Speaking to the Lusa agency, Souto Moura said that "this is an honour; another one. I am pleased for Portuguese architecture, which is increasingly acknowledged as quality architecture".

Taking into account that the Portuguese pavilion "was one of the best, with a set of architects that is not easy to find", Souto de Moura sees this newest award as "the recognition of the value of Portuguese architecture".

"This follows the tradition of Siza, Távora and other architects", Souto de Moura emphasized further stating that "Portuguese architecture is of premium quality when compared to other European countries. "This is not new. We win awards all the time and we take pride in it", the architect from Porto concluded.

Souto de Moura was one of the 100 invited architects by the curators of the Venice Biennale of Architecture, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, of Grafton Architects, for the main exhibition and he was recognised by his tourism design project in the area of São Lourenço do Barrocal in the Alentejo, Portugal.

The International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale will be on show till 25 November.