Founded by architect Miguel Saraiva 19 years ago, the Portuguese architecture firm of Saraiva + Associados (S+A) has, in the last five, expanded its presence to no less than eight locations around the world, including Algeria, Brazil, China, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, the UAE and recently, Singapore. The company today has 100 staff worldwide and works across the fields of architecture, urban planning the design. Many of its projects are large in scale and just as diverse, ranging from public spaces to residential developments, hospitals, offices, retail spaces, hotels and more.

(Left) Miguel Saraiva, Founder/CEO, S+A; (Right) Jose Manuel Roquette, Partner/Architect,  S+A Singapore

Jose Manuel Roquette, who helms the new S+A operations in Singapore, shares that for the most part, the firm’s business expansion strategy has focused on emerging economies with natural resources and the potential for rapid growth. Its move into Singapore last year, however, was no less strategic. “Singapore is renowned for the quality of its design. It’s also an amazing, cosmopolitan place [and is a] logical stepping stone into the Southeast Asia market,” says Roquette. “From here we are looking to Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines… this is the hub for getting into all those markets as well.”

Expo 2017, Kazakhstan

Roquette shares that the firm has a strong “conceptual language” which, along with careful considerations for the unique needs of each individual market, informs its work. Integrated solutions, sustainable practices and high technical and quality standards all form part of the company’s DNA.

Expo 2017, Kazakhstan

Asked to pinpoint some of its notable projects, Roquette names three that define the firm. One is a concept for an expo site in Kazakhstan called “Expo 2017”, which was selected as one of the top ten finalists in the architecture competition. The proposal displays not just a highly distinctive design, but also embraces an impressive range of sustainable features.

El Ryad, Algeria

The second, still under construction, is El Ryad, the largest residential complex in Algeria that when completed, will have 398 dwellings, 29 villas and 111 commercial and office spaces and cover a gross area of close to 122,000sqm. In keeping with the firm’s sustainability-driven design approach, the project will also have green spaces carefully integrated into the complex.

CD Hospital Beatriz Angelo, Lisbon, Portugal

The third, CD Hospital Beatriz Angelo in their home turf of Lisbon, Portugal, was completed in 2012 and features both state of the art clinical technology and sustainable solutions.

Saraiva + Associates
saraivaeassociados.com