Vânia Coelho Santos  /  Architecture Portfolio

The main focus of this proposal was to design a space whose characteristics solved the pilgrims physical and spiritual necessities such as hygiene and rest and reflection and introspection.

The sea shell, emblem of the pilgrims, inspired the form of this building creating a reunion space at its core which branches out into several individual intimate spaces for meditation. The Shelter’s identity is made mainly from ins and outs created by the Pladour boards which structure and protect it. These boards with equal gaps cast stripes of light agains the interior walls producing the required transcendent atmosphere.

Music is intuitively recognised by any one of us. It’s a result of a manipulation of sounds and silences in delicate and meticulous sequences over a period of time, it is, by excellence one of the noblest expressions of the human culture. Rhythm, harmony, fluidity, are characteristics intrinsically connected to music and that arise thoroughly incorporated into this proposal.

The fluidity of the spaces, the set of curvilinear shapes that deviate and / or join, the search for harmony between interior / exterior, between form and function, full and empty, denounces the primary intention of overfill the characteristics of the object - Music - to the space that houses - the house of music in Vienna. Since this is the city by excellence of classical music, this new building will be, without  no margin of doubt, a reference of relevant importance at this level.

In regard to the implementation of the building, it was tempted that the building created a dialogue with both the city as planned and orthogonal as the city’s  clear, open and natural spaces – the garden.

The interior is rich in mezzanines sets and that organize and streamline, always aiming towards the creations of fluid spaces, in constant dialogue with each other. The walls and ramps star in a delicate game of stress and strain space, emerging as a metaphorical adaptation of the violin bows to the walls of the building.

This competition is based on a particularity: the challenge was presented and the teams only had 48h to present a solution. The site represents the typical topography of Oporto downhill, extending to the river and providing a magnificent view of the bridge Luís I and the Fernandina historic Wall, - remarkable icons that conceives to the location an emblematic feeling.

The proposal should develop an intense relationship with the sumptuous location, recognising the local environment and toasting to the city a space for the movie lovers.

How could this relationship be developed? The concept was base on the reinterpretation of the Obscure Camara logic (the principal that led to the first camera): the whole building revolves around the idea of transition to a new atmosphere of introspection, silence and isolation as if it were a blackroom and Oporto’s landscape is captured through a pinhole camera, projecting it in the wall.

This work was developed in three phases / moments, each one with specific purposes.

Moment 1: The City

The site to intervene is located in a residential area near to a strong centrality - the Boavista Rotunda. It’s dimensions demanded the designing of a new street allowed the access to the new blocks. All the areas for commerce and offices activity are located on streets with higher traffic, and with connection to important areas of the city - the street of Graciosa and Street of Quinta Amarela.

Moment 2: The Building

The second moment was the definition of a housing block. The direct connection, of the new block, with a preexistent building, created the necessity of develop a continuity between the two facades. The new house building result from the intersection of two bodies: one that gives continuity to the preexistent building and defines the balconies apartments, and, another one - the principal -, which contains de habitations.

The difficulties of this project resided in the irregularity of the site. The project should respond and resolve the dialog between the surrounding XIX century architecture and the garden of ‘Virtudes’. Taking these constraints into consideration, the project goal was to design a continuity between the new building and their surrounding, without compromising their identity.

It was assumed that the garden would be public and without limited access, like the others city gardens of Oporto. Thus, the location of the resident was defined to be in the two highest platforms of the site. Beginning with the creation of a dialogue with the pre-existing buildings the new building starts in a vertical motion, for then become a large horizontal arm that subjugate the site.

The foyer - the element that articulates all the others spaces -is the joint element and the key image of all project; the connection point of the two main parts with different directions and distinct heights.