In order to expand the brief for the Dr. Júlio Martins School in Chaves, the empty and available space between the existing buildings from the 1950s is filled in. The central square building accommodates all the additions requested in the brief, embedded in the land so as not to suggest a construction, but rather a huge “floor” which creates a new plateau for setting the old buildings. It maintains the original void, reshaping its character. A large horizontal plane is created, a new plaza within the city. It provides an atmosphere of public space, not a building, its interior designed like a low house with courtyards. The built plaza acts as a playground for the school and accentuates the layout of the existing buildings and their relationship with the landscape that can be seen from the place.
project:
school in chaves
client:
parque escolar, s.a.
location:
chaves, portugal
date:
2009 - 2013
building area:
5 860 m2
architecture:
nuno brandão costa
collaborators:
andré eduardo tavares,
filipa júlio,
joanna katherine guimarães,
luísa moura,
marta reis,
nuno castro
structural engineer:
antónio pimentel adão da fonseca (adf consultores)
hydraulic engineer:
ana isabel vale (abprojectos)
electrical engineer:
maria da luz santiago (rs associados)
mechanical engineer:
raul bessa (get)
landscaping:
rita guedes
photographs:
arménio teixeira