[ Francisco Portugal e Gomes ] Refuge Pavilion

Architects: Francisco Portugal e Gomes
Location: Santiago/Penafiel, Portugal
Collaborators: Fernando Gabriel, architect / João Alexandre Abreu, practice architect
Structure and Foundations: Fernando Gonçalves, engineer
Water Supply and Water Installations: Fernando Gonçalves
Electric Installations and Communications: MEGAVAR - Engenharia, Lda
Project leader: Sónia Almeida, engineer
Constructed Area: 83 sqm
Project year: 2002-2003
Construction year: 2006-2007
Budget: US $1,181 / sqm
Photographs: Fernando Gabriel, Jorge Garcia Pereira

The project anticipates the rearrangement of an already existent construction annexed to a small house, in a refuge pavilion with 50 sqm.

The implanting of the new building follows the limits of this existent construction in the west side, recycling small stone. The opposite side is rebuilt, realigned and, reusing the granite header from the best walls, is created an uncovered yard that serves as entrance and, at the same time, decompresses the proximity with the neighboring house. This reconstructed element melts itself with the new construction interlinking the granite wall with horizontal slate plates of 3 cm in thickness placed in small stone cubes making a continuous grate that draws the building.

This kind of approach aspires to bring this new building near in colours, materials and textures to some vernacular constructions of granite, wood and slate that already exist in the region.

The pavilion organization departs from a nucleus of sanitary and shower fittings, placed between the yard and the covered area, trying to strengthen the entrance direction through its compression, in order to release all the remaining space in a single multi functional compartment. The inner space is marked with structural porches and carpentry facades, which shut make the total closing of this inner space and opened allow the perception of the surrounding landscape from an angle of 180º.

from  archdaily