Who we are
Our practice combines architectural design with a strong understanding of construction.
Led by João Martins, whose career began in 1993, the studio benefits from decades of experience gained both in the studio and on site. This background informs an approach that values careful thinking and practical knowledge.
The studio works across architectural design, refurbishment, new builds, and construction services, approaching each project with attention to context, culture, and longevity.
Risk and Rigour guide our work in the pursuit of thoughtful, enduring architecture.
Our Founder
João Fernandes is the founder of Fonseca Architects, with over 30 years of experience spanning architecture, construction, and building surveying. Beginning his career as a Quantity Surveyor in 1993, he later transitioned into design, qualifying as an architect in 2014 and completing his Master’s in 2017 while working in practice.
Based in Lisbon, he has extensive professional experience in London and Bristol, and is a member of the Ordem dos Arquitetos in Portugal and registered with the UK Architects Registration Board (ARB).
The studio’s name is a tribute to his father, a skilled craftsman who instilled in him a deep respect for detail, materials, and the way things are thoughtfully made, translating into the studio’s thoughtful approach to regeneration and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
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