The purpose of the work comes from an opportunity for a practice. A speculation associated with an ancient wine cellar in São Martinho do Campo (Porto – Portugal), compromised by its obsoleteness.
The project translates a critical analysis which graduates from an urban environment to the particular and rural site where the thesis’ object is located. In a decentralized site, the space appears fragmented by the functions it groups out. The environment is understood by its multi-functions, spontaneously organized and the definition of the private space determines the character of the site as object of Project. This understanding is the recognition for the need of architecture operations that aim towards the qualification and stimulation of the region’s architectural potentials through previously built buildings.
The old Winery was converted in a small unit of industrial services: the development of a cosmetic and treatment unit of industrial logistics: having grapes as its raw material, framed in a typology of innovation and experimental development. The assembled notions acquired in the previous points, related with the general characterization of the site and relevant architectonic principles were linked to the new functional program and its commercial strategy in the form of a simple idea, a project.
Video presentation: https://vimeo.com/117588490
For some years I followed the path of the participant.
He was my student in 4th year Studio of Architecture. Later he matured in my office, and afterwards I guided his Dissertation for the degree of Master in Architecture. I think that after monitoring all this progress I got to know his way of work well.
His professional abilities combined with his enormous capacities are expressed in the high quality of his drawings, sketches and writing.
This dissertation shows that work brilliantly. And the video that supported his public presentation expresses the great maturity, with which he addressed the proposed exercise, almost as a professional approach. The project represents an important twist for the practice of architecture. It shows new opportunities that only a trained vision of an architect can anticipate for the Future of our built environment: space adaptation under sustainable visions to question the potential of many buildings that are no longer integrated in our activities. The project shows a simple example of the work among a multi disciplinary team that together found a new purpose for an old reject.
