Fátima Fernandes was born in Bemposta Mogadouro in 1961. She studied at the School of Fine Arts in Porto, where she completed her Architecture degree (1979-1986). In 1984, she completed an internship in Italy, accompanied by Professor Arq. Manuel Mendes. Between 1990 and 1992, she was the Responsible Architect for the Support Office for the Historic Center of Miranda do Douro. She is a Professor in the Architecture Department at the School of Arts in Porto (ESAP) since 1996, and has been the Director of the Architecture Department since 2013. In 2000, Fátima Fernandes founded Cannatá & Fernandes architects Lda with Michele Cannatà, with whom she has been working since 1984, developing professional activities in Portugal and Italy. They have been responsible for the scientific coordination of the architecture events at Concreta - Exponor since 1999, the scientific coordination of the Architecture Department at Edições ASA (1993), and the scientific coordination of the Architecture Department at Edições Civilização since 2004. Her works and projects have been featured in various individual and collective exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in 1996 and the Milan Triennale in 1997. The studio develops projects in the areas of architecture, planning and urbanism, design, graphic design, and engineering services. They also have an important editorial activity through the publication of books and curating international architecture exhibitions and seminars. They have been invited by universities and cultural institutions to speak about their projects and have participated as teachers in various international design seminars.