Tiago Castela

Tiago Castela (Lisboa, 1974) is an invited Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, where has been lecturing in the doctoral programme since 2016. Holds a “Licenciatura” (a 6-year professional degree) in Architecture from the University of Lisbon, as well as a PhD in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Is a Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies at Coimbra (CES-UC). Conducts research on urban peripheries and the politicies of housing, with a focus on Portugal and southern Africa during the late colonial period, from 1950 to 1980. During his PhD programme lectured on architectural history and theory at Berkeley, and in Portugal at the Higher School of Arts and Design (ESAD) of Caldas da Rainha. In Coimbra, is a member of the faculty of the College of the Arts, and 2 doctoral programmes of the Faculty of Economics (Postcolonialisms, and Cities and Urban Cultures). Has given invited lectures at Wits (South Africa), at the University Eduardo Mondlane, and at Berkeley, as well as in various Portuguese universities. Has presented papers in international conferences of the main architectural history associations, such as SAH, IASTE, and EAHN. Directed the documentary “Urban Aspirations”, whose premiere in a festival was at the Architectures Film Festival in Lisbon, 2016, and was selected for the “Film Geographies” collection of the Association of American Geographers (AAG). After obtaining his professional degree, worked as an architect, notably as project team head for the Theatre and Auditorium of Poitiers, France, in João Luís Carrilho da Graça’s studio. In 2004 was awarded the first prize in the international competition for the Administrative Centre of Extremadura, in Mérida, Spain (in association with João Caetano and landscape architect Catarina Raposo).