Siza graduated from Porto's Higher School of Fine Arts in 1955, where he studied painting and sculpture. Influenced by his parents, he decided not to choose between these disciplines and turned his attention to architecture; drawings, landscapes, portraits and travel diaries enabled him to develop his ability to see, the architect's tool. The influence of his training can be seen in the way he composes his projects. I sculpt my buildings on the verge of excess," he says, "and I keep coming back to functionalism as a safeguard.