Born in Porto, 1952.

Has completed the Course of Architecture ESBAP in 1975 (Final Test in 1981).

From 1978 to 1994 collaborates with the architects Jorge Gigante and Francisco Melo.

Between 1988 and 1994 some projects done  in partnership with João Álvaro Rocha.

Since 1997 he is managing partner of the company “José Gigante – Arquitecto Lda”.

 

Started his career as a teacher in 1981, working in the the Oporto Fine Arts School – ESBAP (1981-1984), Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto – FAUP (1984-1998) and Architecture Department of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra - DARQ-FCTUC (1992-2010).

He was also Visiting Professor in the Architecture School of Clermont-Ferrand (1989), Architecture School of Nancy(1991), Faculty of Architecture of the University of Palermo / Buenos Aires (1999) and Norwegian University for Science and Technology / Trondheim (2013/2014).

Presently working as invited professor in the Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto – FAUP (since 2010) and in the Master in Architecture of the Universidade Lusófona, Porto - ULP (since 2012).

Awards:

Gulbenkian Award for Architecture/Design,1986; National Architecture Award AAP/SEC,1987; Architécti/CCB Award,1994; National Institute of Housing Award,1997; Januário Godinho Municipal Architecture Award, 1998; American Institute of Architects - Europe International Design Award, 2001      Other distinctions:

Finalist in the Andrea Palladio International Architecture Award, 1991; Finalist in the IBERFAD/Alejandro de la Sota Award, 1996; Finalist in the SECIL Architecture Award, 1996 and 1998; Finalist in the I Ibero-American Biennial for Architecture and Civil Engineering, 1998; Finalist in the Mies Van der Rohe European Architecture Award, 1999; Finalist in FAD Architecture Award, 2000; Finalist in the ENOR Architecture Award, 2005 and 2009.