Our story begins in the corridors of the ISCTE Faculty of Architecture in Lisbon. That's where we met and, without realising it, began our journey together in architecture.
We interned at different studios, but always kept in touch. We participated together in competitions, notably the ‘Arquitectar – Competition for Young Architects’, where we received an honourable mention (2nd place).
In 2012, after a year of internships and some freelance work, we officially launched our studio with our first project signed as architects, and it is from the friendship and synergy between us, Mariana Cidade and Ricardo Branco, that Cidade Branco Arquitectos was born.
The beginning was challenging, marked by the ‘troika’ crisis. There were few projects, but we seized every opportunity with dedication. It was this commitment that helped us build our portfolio, with the recognition and recommendation of our clients, maintaining professional and friendly relationships that continue to this day.
We are currently a team of four architects, two senior and two junior, and we often collaborate with other architects, engineers, landscape designers and professionals in different areas, managing multidisciplinary teams according to the requirements of each project.
Ar. Mariana Valente, Ar. Mariana Cidade, Ar. Joana Henriques, Ar. Ricardo Branco
We are a small studio by choice, as this allows us to devote more time to each project, taking an authorial approach without formulas. We believe in architecture as a conscious construction of space, function and identity.
Our practice is based on the constant pursuit of knowledge through research, the exchange of ideas, the study of locations, legislation and contact with local councils across the country, building a solid track record based on experience. The studio is currently equipped to handle all phases of the architectural process: Preliminary Studies, Licensing, Execution Projects and Construction Monitoring.
We would like to express our special gratitude to our colleagues who have passed through our studio and are part of our history: Ar. Duarte Gonçalves, Ar. Teresa Penetra, Ar. Filipe Miranda, Ar. Vasco Azevedo.
