sulphur cavern, visitor center by nuno ribeiro lopes all photos by sara potes courtesy nuno ribeiro lopes

portugese architect nuno ribeiro lopes was commisioned to redesign a visitor’s center for the sulphur cavern  ex-libris graciosa island, to accommodate the increased interest in the area.

the glass building is lined by craters, built on a platform, suspended above the water line on the surface. consisting of two floors, the ground floor buried in the platform contains sanitary facilities and an exhibition area. located on the top floor are the foyer area, inside the cavern the visitors’ control and the air quality, the toilets for disabled people and the area reserved for the dissemination, awareness and observation of the landscape. outside and in front of the building, in the old car park, lies a living area with tables and chairs. given the restrictions of access, under the control of air quality, visitors can watch from the roof of the building, projected on the platform cavern.

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

nuno ribeiro lopes: sulphur cavern, visitor center

project info: location: graciosa island – portugal client: regional secretariat for the environment and the sea project date: 2006 construction date: 2009-2010 engineering: triede – PEN address: furna do enxofre