From Fish to Architecture: The Fishing Community of Angeiras in Northern Portugal

This paper aims to present the results of a workshop conducted in a small fishing community in northern Portugal, developed within the context of an interdisciplinary research project on the relationships between fishing and architecture. The focus of the workshop was on identifying, describing, and visually representing the most common species, fishing gear and equipment, boats and huts, navigation routes, fishing spots, and types of seabed. The research employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including direct observation, surveys, and interviews. With a strong emphasis on graphical materials, both collected and created, the workshop capitalized on the potential of architectural representation. Techniques ranged from hand drawings and precise CAD drawings to 3D scanning. Each graphical representation was complemented by numerical data, encompassing landings, measurements of fishing gear, and the periodicity and coordinates of fishing routes. The results reveal a complex system of relationships and interdependencies, not only between fishing dynamics and the built environment but also among the species themselves and their respective ecosystems. The experience of this workshop was especially valuable for the research team, as it elucidated the possibilities of disciplinary relationships between architecture, archaeology, and marine biology, the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the integration of fishermen’s knowledge, and the potential of the architectural approach for surveying and representation purposes in research.