THERAPY AND INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES CENTRE
PUBLIC EQUIPMENT
2024
2024
The project intervenes in an existing 1950's modernist building of social equipment. The objective was to provide spaces and qualities necessary for the installation of an Activity Center for People Inclusion. Both the patrimonial value of the existing and the social importance of the program challenged the project.
The intervention was designed to maintain the preponderance of the existing building, creating a new autonomous entity, not competing but adding value.
Delicately fitted into the sloped scarp, the new entity runs parallel to the existing equipment. The new and old buildings are apparently disconnected, creating a communal mediterranean patio in between. The project announces itself in the urban landscape through a portico. Along the new patio, several entrances reinforce the spatial permeability of the complex.
The new building is structured in a corridor flanked by activity rooms. All spaces benefit from natural light with correct sun exposure and natural ventilation: work rooms have wide openings facing south, protected by porches; the corridor has a continuous rooflight line, facing north.
In the existing building, the intervention was respectful for the original, with widened openings to increase the dialogue with the new patio.
Constructively, the new building aims to be silent and pleasant at once: a green roof continues the natural space above the scarp; white exterior walls reflect light in the new patio and play with porch shadows; wide minimal frame windows invite light to enter, filtered by the interior wooden frame temperature; interior surfaces are resistant, in local limestone, or warm, in natural pine wood; the brass in lamps and hardware completes the set.
The intervention is an open respectful dialogue between construction times, while meritorious social activities receive new cozy spaces to exist.
The intervention was designed to maintain the preponderance of the existing building, creating a new autonomous entity, not competing but adding value.
Delicately fitted into the sloped scarp, the new entity runs parallel to the existing equipment. The new and old buildings are apparently disconnected, creating a communal mediterranean patio in between. The project announces itself in the urban landscape through a portico. Along the new patio, several entrances reinforce the spatial permeability of the complex.
The new building is structured in a corridor flanked by activity rooms. All spaces benefit from natural light with correct sun exposure and natural ventilation: work rooms have wide openings facing south, protected by porches; the corridor has a continuous rooflight line, facing north.
In the existing building, the intervention was respectful for the original, with widened openings to increase the dialogue with the new patio.
Constructively, the new building aims to be silent and pleasant at once: a green roof continues the natural space above the scarp; white exterior walls reflect light in the new patio and play with porch shadows; wide minimal frame windows invite light to enter, filtered by the interior wooden frame temperature; interior surfaces are resistant, in local limestone, or warm, in natural pine wood; the brass in lamps and hardware completes the set.
The intervention is an open respectful dialogue between construction times, while meritorious social activities receive new cozy spaces to exist.
PROJECT Therapy and Integration Activities Centre
CLIENT public
PROGRAMME public equipment
AREA 1080 sqm
STATE built
DATE 2015-2024
ARCHITECTURE PAr Plataforma de Arquitectura
ENGINEER Luís Correia, Eng - PLANN
MAIN CONTRACTOR Ambartrans
PHOTOGRAPHY JCS fotografia
DRONE IMAGES Ricardo Flôxo
CLIENT public
PROGRAMME public equipment
AREA 1080 sqm
STATE built
DATE 2015-2024
ARCHITECTURE PAr Plataforma de Arquitectura
ENGINEER Luís Correia, Eng - PLANN
MAIN CONTRACTOR Ambartrans
PHOTOGRAPHY JCS fotografia
DRONE IMAGES Ricardo Flôxo