The project for the Industry Memory Center (CMI) in São João da Madeira presents itself as a new concept that transforms the way Industrial Tourism is understood and presented and how the existing architectural heritage is valued, without any ruptures or contradictions. The configuration of the plot and the pre-existing buildings set the guidelines for the development of the project: a careful and punctual intervention is proposed, mainly in terms of restoration and rehabilitation, highlighting the historical value of the Quinta do Rei da Farinha Palace building. The intervention aims to preserve as much as possible of the building’s architectural qualities, having carried out a rigorous and exhaustive survey of the physical and morphological characteristics of the existing building, seeking to analyze and act upon them.

The proposed new construction adheres to the existing building, complementing it, in an act of valorization of the pre-existence without ever failing to represent the mark of contemporary architecture and the transformative nature of the intervention. In addition to the functional and aesthetic benefits, this approach also makes it possible to carry out an unobtrusive intervention in the Palacete, thus elevating it to the status of an integral part of the exhibition itself: the Palacete is also, in itself, a museum piece, an exhibition element and a historical testimony to the city itself.

Calm, discreet, silent, the place didn’t notice her. Arrábida, so close by, is the protagonist of a purpose that it wants to maintain. To frame? It is not necessary. Art doesn’t need a frame, nor a shadow, nor an excess of light… it just needs to exist.

It is about the place that this bridge speaks to us, of its vegetal and mineral escarpments, on one side the houses over the river where there is no space to rest a pillar, just keep the scales and relationships, the paths, the romantic of a route that it connects us and makes the city; on the other side, the plant that preserves the memory of the landscape that it is important to keep.

The bridge wants to be a result and not an experience, in Porto there is no hesitation… it is the past and the future, time and its awareness that lead to a solution: the purpose only fulfills the desire for intelligence that the work justifies, without any presumption or vassalage… but aware of the place and time that defines and marks us!

Everything already exists in this place. Even bridges that connect and separate us, colleges and shopping centers, intense traffic and paths of passion, atavism and futurism, contradictions… shadows of trees and breaks, sunsets and morning fogs, river waters and sea tides, watercolors of the Cross and abstractions by Ângelo, texts by Agustina in plans by Oliveira and, from above, Cardoso, Eiffel and so many others assure that heritage is all of this, respect and with identity, a continuum… matter for creation, a matter for humanity.

So the design was made.

The designed building ensures that the dominant elements of the region are an essential part of this new design, assuming itself as a set of references at a conceptual or formal level around which the new architecture was developed. We have opted for the total demolition of the small agricultural support building on the site.

Volumetrically, it is assumed in the landscape as a whole that seeks an adaptation to the terrain, through the design of balconies, rocking and retreats and platforms at different levels up to the accessible roof itself.

The building, with a capacity of 12 accommodation units, is installed longitudinally along the main access path to the property (which we designed) and develops on two floors above the sill, and the external access to the roof, which finds here a privileged outer space for contemplating the landscape. At the entrance, along the way, there are some parking spaces as well as an area for loading and unloading and other support spaces.

The land with 2.311,00 sq.m, is inserted in a predominantly residential area of single-family houses with garden, in the Union of Parishes of São Mamede de Infesta and Senhora da Hora, Municipality of Matosinhos.

The dwelling of typology T4, will have an implantation area of 555,00 sq.m and a total useful area of construction of 525,00 sq.m. The gross construction area will be 628.00 sq.m.

Regarding the remoteness it is important to mention that the implantation follows the alignment of the remaining constructions in the street. The exterior wall which is the boundary of the property and which constitutes the urban front to the street, will be new, plastered and painted white, guaranteeing the necessary entrances for housing and parking.

The site of the intervention, with 443,50 sq.m, is inserted in a predominantly residential area of single-family houses and is located at Rua 14, nº 425, in the parish and municipality of Espinho.

The main objective of the intervention was the development of a solution that complies with the defined functional program and respect for the environment, while trying to enhance the use of the land and its characteristics.

The project proposes the construction of new walls, at a uniform height, aligned with the lowest roof level of the existing construction. In order to make the route more dynamic and to bring natural light into the interior of the dwelling, it is proposed to open a new courtyard, on which all the interior compartmentalization will develop.

The new proposal creates a transparent and communicating space where all the functions of the new dwelling can be carried out in direct connection with the exterior but in a protected way with a subtle design of facade planes, cutting out differentiating geometries thus characterizing the design of the central courtyard which is the heart and identity of the whole project, making it distinctive.

The access to the dwelling is made through the 14th Street and the sidewalk, one accesses an entrance patio that takes the user in a promenade of access to the dwelling, crossing a garden, until reaching the central patio, where the entrance is located. Once inside, one accesses an atrium where a screen separates the entrance area from the living room and the dining area, keeping the space fluid and continuous. The circulation is made around the courtyard, accompanying the large glass cloths.

The solution presented has as main objective to value and provide the place with an essential facility for the enjoyment of the values of the beach and the sea in general, aimed at a very comprehensive type of population, ranging from the common tourist using a nearby beach to the casual passer-by.

The construction has a single floor, occupying an area of 195.70 sq.m, being 149.30 sq.m referring to the bar and 46.4 sq.m referring to the beach support itself; it also includes an outdoor uncovered terrace with a useful area of 80.00 sq.m. The space destined to the bar is composed by a living room, sanitary installations, balcony, kitchen and other accessory compartments that perform the function of providing support and conditions of use to these, more important in the morphology of the bar.

The beach support, consists of male and female changing rooms and toilets with independent access directly from the outside, as well as a compartment in each of these spaces for people with reduced mobility. It also includes a beach support warehouse and an information and assistance/surveillance post, a telecommunications line for emergency communications.

The construction of the beach support will be executed in reinforced concrete in sight. Inside, will be used in a general way plaster based finishes on the ceilings and walls and paint with the exception of wet areas, where will be used waterproof and washable coatings.
The volume of the outdoor esplanade will have a structure in painted steel profiles, in order to reduce its erosion, next to a wooden slat that can protect its users from the strong sun exposure in this area, especially in summer.

The MTower stands out as a distinctive mark in the Maputo landscape. Its development was based on a movement and torsion desire, creating a svelte yet emblematic building.

The exterior mesh clothes the building as the capulana (traditional clothing) clothes the Mozambican woman. Aside from the aesthetic value, it has more than one function: it supports the exterior elevation, it provides partial shade to spaces, it permits window bays and outdoor areas to be created, all protected by this permeable mesh. It also allows the natural ventilation of the building, an essential aspect for sustainable building management in this climate. Further attention is given to the adequate lighting of spaces; natural cooling of spaces by using free cooling; shade for the windows provided by the mesh, the reflectance of the glass and the addition of screens and blackouts – ecodesign solutions that support the adequate management of existing resources, thus minimising the impacts and costs associated with the building.

This is a competition project, a singular building, an icon that could mark Maputo’s skyline, communicating Mozambican culture to the world, its traditions and modernity depending upon institutions’ desire and approval.