In 1979, construction began on the Department of Languages and Cultures at the University of Aveiro, followed a year later by the development of Building III. Both buildings were designed by architect Firmino Trabulo, who adopted an approach marked by simplicity and restraint, both in terms of scale and budget. Despite their modest beginnings, these structures were no longer seen as temporary solutions. By this time, the first comprehensive urban plan for the university was taking shape, extending from the Seminary to the lagoon, along the village of Santiago, and reaching as far as the Agra do Crasto area, across the S. Pedro estuary.