João de Sousa Rodolfo

His talent lies in his hands. He showed an interest in drawing from an early age. And from his sketches, he has always been able to create authentic works of art. Every architectural project he has completed is a source of pride. A successful company, with national and international recognition, Traçado Regulador has been around for 25 years. João de Sousa Rodolfo has a wealth of knowledge garnered from many years of experience. With regard to the real estate sector, the architect tells us that «we will continue to have demand outstripping supply» and that as well as being «good architects» you also have to be «good managers». But what is the secret to his success? «As with everything in life, it’s "doing it well”».  

You have a career like no other. What is the first step to ensuring the success of an architectural firm such as Traçado Regulador?
I think that all of us who work in architecture have our own distinct career paths, which are the result of the nature of our work and our individual experiences. In that sense, I accept the qualifier ‘like no other’. As for the first step to success, as with everything in life, it's «doing it well». The main ingredients for «doing it well» are the knowledge and expertise acquired over many years of professional activity, creativity and technical rigour. 

The real estate sector is still thriving, particularly in the areas where Traçado Regulador operates. How do you see the next few years for the sector?
I think that, despite the current rise in interest rates and the recent government measures limiting foreign investment, we will continue to see demand outstrip supply and therefore high values in both construction and property. This is also due to general land policy law, which drastically limits the growth of urban centres and thus increases the value of land for construction. In this context, we can expect to see a decrease in activity at architectural design practices. Fortunately for us, the strategy we have defined and the internal growth factors and reputation of Traçado have effectively counteracted this trend. 

Since becoming an architect, you’ve seen a lot of work come into being. Today, looking at modern times, what do you feel has changed the most?
Clearly the way of «inhabiting» and the production of the project. With regard to the former, I would draw attention to spatial fluidity together with less functional compartmentalisation of space as a result of everyday life. As for the production of all the projects required for construction, we now have much more and better information, greater capacity to simulate solutions and better harmonisation of projects from various specialities, leading to much greater thoroughness in project development.

«I’m lucky enough to be accompanied on this adventure by a team of outstanding professionals»

And what might surprise you in the future of architecture?
It would be hard for the future to hold anything in architecture that today’s breakneck technological evolution hasn’t already prepared us for. On the other hand, architecture possesses a great sense of time inertia. We inhabit and use spaces created in different eras on a daily basis, both in the interiors of buildings and in urban environments. These spaces change very slowly. Any surprises will therefore be limited to new construction and will have to be determined by new forms of social organisation, new ways of living, technology and a growing awareness of sustainability. 

Traçado Regulador boasts a vast portfolio of projects, both inside and outside urban centres. Tackling all these projects is no easy task. How do you achieve this?
Well, it means that as well as being good architects, we also have to be good managers. That’s precisely what we try to do: manage well, even with the unpredictable response times of public organisations. On the other hand, you need a strong, motivated team that enjoys what they do and recognises themselves in the collaborative work they produce. I’m lucky enough to be accompanied on this adventure by a team of outstanding professionals. 

You mostly work on premium housing projects. Has it been a constant challenge to design large, luxurious homes?
Premium properties are, in fact, the most visible aspect of everything we produce. The reason for this visibility lies in the fact that these houses inspire people to dream and are easy to share, with the natural boost in reputation that we’re interested in. However, our production doesn’t stop there. We produce collective housing, hotel, industrial, residential development and redevelopment projects, among others. In the Lisbon area, for example, we have 17 redevelopment projects underway. The premium residential projects are no different from the others in terms of complexity. They are unique in that they involve a lot of client participation, with their own and sometimes unique contributions. 

Are you aware that you are currently one of the most respected architects in Portugal? How would you like to be remembered one day?
No, I wasn’t aware of that. Fortunately, there are many good architects in Portugal. Notoriety or public recognition always comes as a surprise to me. You know, we spend a lot of time working, closed up in the studio, without really realising the impact and visibility of what we produce. Sometimes we get recognised by someone we don't know and that always surprises us. 

In conclusion: whoever chooses Traçado Regulador chooses...
Anyone who contacts us is already aware of the work we do. They know the visible face of our projects, through the media, website and social networks. Afterwards, we end up surprising them by thinking about the project from the inside - the space that people really inhabit and where they should feel good, where spatial intrigue and the perception of escape to the outdoors play a fundamental role. We also impress by producing a project with a high degree of technical rigour, which allows us to manage the work without surprises. These are factors that build investor loyalty and add a guarantee of quality to our work.