German architect and writer Brigitte Fleck has followed Siza's career since the post-revolutionary SAAL dwellings in Porto and Malagueira in Évora. On behalf of the Berlin Senate, she invited him to take part in the IBA (International Building Exhibition), which led to a decade of competitions and his first projects outside Portugal. 

Brigitte Fleck holds a degree in engineering and architecture. She spent many years involved in the urban planning in Berlin and has published numerous works on the subject. A long-time acquaintance of Siza's work, she encouraged his participation in international building competitions in Berlin.