‘praca de lisboa’ by balonas and menano architects, porto, portugalimage © pedro alvesphoto attraction fotografiadrawings courtesy of balonas and menano architects

 

 

 

portuguese practice balonas and menano architects have shared with us their recently completed project revitalizing a deteriorating square in the middle of porto. the structure takes topographical cues from the various inclinations of the site and extend an urban landscape with three layers of program.  on the top, a green roof offers a natural setting dotted with local olive trees that re-create the ‘porta do olival‘ gate, once an entry to the city. the middle level contains commercial space that connects to the existing lello bookstore and clérigos tower. prefabricated concrete components with white structural members make up the identifiable facade and provides shade for the interior. the ground level contains increased pedestrian areas and improves the existing parking lot. a transverse walkway cuts through the structure creating a safe passage across the site and divides the building into two masses with a point of spatial tension at the tallest point.

 

 

balonas and menano architects design an urban garden(left) point where the two roofs meet(right) connection of the two planes forms a skylightimage © pedro alvesphoto attraction fotografia

 

 

balonas and menano architects design an urban garden(left) underside of skylightimage © pedro alvesphoto attraction fotografia(right) facade elements

 

 

balonas and menano architects design an urban gardenpublic commercial spaceimage © pedro alvesphoto attraction fotografia

 

 

balonas and menano architects design an urban gardenpublic commercial space

 

 

to view the full photo report please visit the photographer’s website here.

 

 

 

balonas and menano architects design an urban garden

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balonas and menano architects design an urban garden
 
balonas and menano architects design an urban garden
 
balonas and menano architects design an urban garden
 
balonas and menano architects design an urban garden
 
balonas and menano architects design an urban garden
 
planta de implantacao.dgn
 
(C:\\Users\\fsilva\\Desktop\\BP2005-57 pra\347a de lisboa\\fcs\\Telas Finais com a sobreposi\347ao do espa\347o com\351rcio Piso 0 - Preto e Bran.)
 
(C:\\Users\\fsilva\\Desktop\\BP2005-57 pra\347a de lisboa\\fcs\\BM09021-8XT1-ARQ-0-104 Model \(1\))
 
(C:\\Users\\fsilva\\Desktop\\BP2005-57 pra\347a de lisboa\\fcs\\BM09021-5LC1-ARQ-T-201 Layout1 \(1\))
 

 

 

project info:

 

 

architecture: balona e menano, s.a. – pedro balonas, arch. and simão silva, arch.collaborators: pedro almeida, pedro pimentelclient: urbaclérigos – investimentos imobiliários, s.a.structure, water and sewage, acoustic: afa consultelectrical instalations and comunications: afa consultgas installations, thermal, hvac and safety: afa consultconstruction company: rodrigues e névoa, lda.