Ordem dos Arquitectos (OA)

The Order of Architects (OA) is the Portuguese public association for the profession of architect and architecture.
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It was created in 1998, being a depositary of an associative long history whose origins date back to 1863.

OA represents all those who practice the profession of architecture in Portugal - about 24.000 foreign and Portuguese - and regulates the exercise thereof. Similarly, promotes and defends the architecture inside and outside borders.

OA has the national headquarters in Lisbon and regional headquarters in Porto and Lisbon, where the Northern and Southern  Regional Chapters  operate. OA also has Delegations and Centers throughout the country.

By promoting and advocating better conditions for the profession of architect, the Order of Architects seeks to ensure the quality and sustainability of the built environment in Portugal, as a right and common good of all Portuguese.

+ info: www.arquitectos.pt

Ordem dos Arquitectos, Secção Regional do Norte (OASRN)

The Northern Chapter of the Portuguese Order of Architects (OASRN) has its headquarters at Porto, and represents circa 9.000 architects, covering the territorial districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Bragança, Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda and Coimbra, with a population of 5 million, slightly more than half the country’s.
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OARSN represents, in the above area, the Order of Architects before local and regional institutions, and before the members of Order of Architects with residence in the northern area of Portugal.

It is responsible for certifying the registration of architects and to grant the professional title of architect,  for those with their home region in the Northern area.

It’s its responsibility to collect membership dues from the members in the Northen Chapter, which constitute the only ordinary income of the Order of Architects. 35% of revenues from membership dues is sent to National Board.

OASRN expresses positions, at the request of the national board on draft legislation and regulations, and provides services to architects and other entities;

OASRN promotes scientific and professional development of its members, contributes to raising standards of training of architects, and promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between members,  and coordination of interdisciplinary activities, both in training and research , or the level of professional practice.

It’s OASRN that gives advice and assists on organizing architecture competitions and Architectural Awards in your area, and appoints representatives to jury boards.

OASRN intervenes in everyday life through partnerships, exhibitions, conferences, cultural events, as well as those issues that, regarding public or private actors, start in architecture and urbanism of Northern Portugal.

OASRN partners include the municipalities of Porto and Matosinhos, Serralves Foundation, Casa da Música, the Museum of Transport and Communications and the University of Porto.

OASRN organizes the Architecture Travel Award Fernando Tavora, the international lecture series “in transit” and the training cycle 3R - Rehabilitate / Reuse / Recycle on architecture and sustainability.

OASRN offers the Public the assurance of the ability of the architect, the adequacy of its work to current regulations and other contractual relationships.

OASRN offers the architect the application of the previous assurances to the same extent for all members, the right of professional relationships among members; support services to professional practice, including training, updated legislation, telephone support and legal advice.

With the acquisition of two detached dwellings, at Alvares Cabral street, in the center of Porto’ nineteenth century urban development, which are the first property of the Order of Architects, the process of  expansion and reorganization of the premises of OASRN is initiated.

This project was named the North 41º - Center for Architecture, Creativity and Sustainability, and has become an open case study of the latest techniques of sustainable architecture in areas such as materials, energy and water.

The construction of the new facilities were completed in 2015 and allow more and better working conditions and, in essence, that which we want to consolidate to provide members of OASRN, and society, a better service, and a professional Order increasingly prominent and important to the region, its members and partners.

+ info: www.oasrn.org