Graduating from the Lisbon School of Fine Arts (EBAL) in 1943, Pessoa merged modernist ideals with a deep understanding of Portugal's cultural, social, and geographical dimensions. Between 1953 and 1962, Pessoa served as an assistant professor of Project Design under Luís Cristiano da Silva at EBAL.

Early in his career, Pessoa collaborated on pivotal projects. In 1942, he joined the Works Plan Office for Praça do Império under Cotinelli Telmo and contributed to the University City of Coimbra master plan, including the Central Library, General Archive, and Faculty of Arts renovations. He also developed extracurricular centres for the Mocidade Portuguesa. A member of ICAT (Iniciativas Culturais Arte e Técnica), Pessoa participated in the I National Congress of Architecture, advocating for high-rise affordable housing.

Pessoa’s notable works include the Cantante da Mota house in Restelo, awarded the Valmor Prize in 1950. From 1947 to 1955, he collaborated with Keil do Amaral and Hernâni Gandra on Lisbon’s Monsanto and Eduardo VII parks, designing the Alvito Children’s Park (1953). Concurrently, he worked on the Avenida Paris and Praça Pasteur urban ensemble alongside Faria da Costa and others.

In 1947, Pessoa opened his own atelier, moving it to Avenida João Crisóstomo in 1953, where he collaborated with João Abel Manta. His most renowned work is the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Headquarters and Museum (1959–1969), created with Pedro Cid and Ruy Jervis d’Athouguia. This project, awarded the Valmor Prize in 1975, is considered a 20th-century architectural masterpiece.

Pessoa’s urban contributions include the Avenida Infante Santo master plan and projects for Agualva-Cacém and Mira-Sintra. His industrial works include Porto’s Silo Auto and Secil’s cement factory in Setúbal. His legacy lies in his commitment to functionalism, innovation, and cultural integrity, cementing his role as a pivotal figure in modern Portuguese architecture.

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PT/FAUL/ARQUIVO/AP

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