carvalho araùjo: museu da geira romans

'museu da geira romans' by carvalho araújo in gerês, portugal
all images courtesy carvalho araújo
image © pedro lobo


portuguese practice carvalho araújo has completed 'museu da geira romans', an L-shaped,
single-storey museum on a remote plot in gerês, portugal. situated on a site that is densely populated
with trees, the design respects and incorporates the pre-existing elements of the land by inserting
itself into the landscape.



north elevation
image © pedro lobo


heavily influenced by the concept of the 'roman road', the design was approached in a manner that
allowed the museum to leave the site's sense of balance intact while serving as a connective arm
between the landscape and the nearby river. a ramped road runs directly through the middle of
the floor plan, splicing the project into two areas that can operate independently of one another.
the external road also lends a sense of transparency by establishing a visual line between the two sides
of the plot. finished in stone, the pavement and exterior walls of the project lends a continuous and
natural aesthetic to the exterior.



ramped road
image © hugo carvalho araújo


opening up to the north, the exhibition space - accommodated by the east wing - gains from ideal
natural light that is suitable for preserving archaeological items. the area is kept open to maximize
flexibility of the space. the smaller west wing hosts a cyber-cafe, playroom, auditorium and service area.
an entrance atrium sits between the two areas at the intersection of the road and the building.



looking towards the entrance atrium
image © pedro lobo



from the roof
image © hugo carvalho araújo



view of the auditorium through the lightwell
image © pedro lobo



image © pedro lobo



interior view of the exhibition space
image © pedro lobo



image © pedro lobo



auditorium
image © pedro lobo



image © pedro lobo



site plan




floor plan
(1) exhibition space
(2) reception
(3) information
(4) outer court
(5) washroom
(6) bar
(7) auditorium
(8) library / stage
(9) work room
(10) computer room
(11) storage room



cross section



section through ramp



north elevation


project info:

client: camara municipal terras de bouro
design team: josé manuel carvalho araújo, joel moniz, alexandre branco, joão mário
landscape: joão bicho e joana carneiro
mechanical HVAC: paulo nunes
construction: ACF - arlindo correia efilhos, sa