Octaetéride Award Distinguishes Cityscopio Cultural Association and the Scopio Editions and Scopio Network Projects
Octaetéride Award Distinguishes Cityscopio Cultural Association and the scopio Editions and Scopio Network Projects
The Cityscopio Cultural Association was distinguished at the closing event of the 8th anniversary of Casa Comum on April 18, 2026, with the Octaetéride Award, through the scopio Editions project and the Scopio Network platform, as an expression of public recognition for the partnership developed over the past years and for the significant contribution to the affirmation of the cultural intervention project of the University of Porto.
The distinction, granted by Casa Comum – University of Porto, underlines the role played by the Cityscopio Cultural Association in building a democratic, plural and open cultural space for the community, through editorial, scientific and cultural initiatives focused on the relationship between architecture, art, image, photography and contemporary thought.
Throughout this journey, the collaboration between Cityscopio, Casa Comum, the University of Porto, and U.Porto Press has materialized in a significant set of editorial and curatorial projects of national and international scope, promoting the intersection between academic research, artistic creation, and cultural dissemination.
Among the most relevant projects is ARCHITECTURE, ART AND IMAGE – UTOPIA, developed in conjunction with U.Porto Press, bringing together interdisciplinary contributions around the relationships between architecture, art, image, and contemporary utopian thought. The publication establishes itself as a space for critical reflection on the modes of representation, perception, and cultural construction of space.
This editorial work also resulted in the launch of the Architecture, Art and Utopia – U.PORTO Alumni Little Books collection, developed by U.Porto Press in partnership with scopio Editions. The collection proposes an accessible and interdisciplinary format dedicated to the dissemination of essays, reflections, and experiences related to architecture, visual culture, and contemporary artistic practices.
Another structuring project of this collaboration has been the CONTRAST editorial series, regularly presented at Casa Comum through public sessions, launches, and roundtables. The project brings together images and critical texts on photography, higher education, and academic research, involving various Portuguese institutions and schools, establishing itself as a platform for debate around contemporary image and photographic practices in the university context.
In the scientific and academic field, the international journal scopio Architecture, Art and Image also deserves mention. This annual open-access, peer-reviewed publication is edited by the Centre for Architecture and Urbanism Studies (CEAU/FAUP), in collaboration with ID+ and CETAPS, with joint endorsement from U.Porto Press and scopio Editions.
The journal is now an international reference in the interdisciplinary intersection between architecture, art, and image, promoting critical research and contemporary reflection through multiple theoretical, artistic, and curatorial perspectives. Structured around annual themes, the publication seeks to stimulate debate on the cultural, spatial, and visual challenges of contemporary life, bringing together researchers, artists, architects, and diverse audiences.
The recognition now granted by the Octaetéride – Casa Comum Award reinforces the cultural and academic impact of the work developed by the Cityscopio Cultural Association, as well as the relevance of its editorial and research platforms in the context of contemporary cultural production.
More than an institutional distinction, this award represents the recognition of a trajectory marked by the creation of spaces for dialogue, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to broadening the relationship between university, culture, and civil society.