#38 Atelier Local (PT), Arquitetura Entre Vistas ABROAD

The concept of "local" in architecture transcends geography, functioning instead as a complex, pragmatic response to site-specific limitations, client needs, and existing material conditions. Founders of Atelier Local, Maria Rebelo and João Paupério, argue that authorship is a collective process involving clients and contractors, where "as-found" elements—whether physical materials or project constraints—serve as catalysts for design rather than obstacles. By embracing laziness as a methodical strategy to avoid over-complicating projects, they prioritize clear, functional solutions over exhaustive, pre-determined drawings. Their approach relies on on-site decision-making, allowing design to evolve alongside construction realities. This philosophy transforms potential project accidents into intentional, character-defining features, demonstrating that architectural style emerges naturally from solving practical problems rather than imposing a rigid, preconceived aesthetic.