building pictures presents the program for the episcopal conference in lisbon, portugal and its many services, diversified and complex. besides the general secretariat having management and coordination tasks, it also gives place to a wide range of national and pastoral secretariats. thus, the need for a huge number of rooms — 55 work spaces –, meeting rooms as well as a space for archives. the space also integrates ‘agência ecclesia’ which is the news agency for the portuguese catholic church and has particular requirements, mainly in terms of telecommunications — places for audio recording and audio/video edition.

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
building pictures presents the program for the episcopal conference in lisbon, portugal

 

 

portuguese based building pictures films the transformation of the building and highlights the general secretariat located on the main floor, surrounded by the other secretariats that are distributed on the three floors. portuguese based design firm nuno valentim arquitectura e reabilitaçao have taken advantage of the pre-existent compartmentalization and decorative elements — roofs, floors, interior wooden spans — of the original building. on the third floor, regarding subsequent construction there are two independent accommodations that have been then opened to accommodate other services. the ‘fundação fé and agência ecclesia’ is accommodated in the west wing and in the old press.

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
since it is widely occupied, there exists a need for a huge number of rooms

 

 

the secondary bodies with lower architectural quality — both constructive and decorative — had an improper compartmentalization, which did not allow interconnection between the several wings of the building. in this case, it was decided to demolish its interior, level pavement levels and remove the flat roofs under the wooden structure of the roof in excellent condition and therefore, taking advantage of its entire interior volume. in the interconnection between the central body and secondary bodies, the reception area and common spaces — library, bar, sanitary facilities and general meeting rooms –, as well as the elevator are essential for intensive use and accessible to all.

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
the architects have taken advantage of the pre-existent compartmentalization and decorative elements

 

 

since there were a series of interventions made over several centuries and also, in terms of decorative elements, it was first of all important to identify the values to be preserved, from different eras as a consequence of various owners. building pictures refers, on one hand, to the original elements of the building, such as stone carvings and balustrades in stone and iron railings, but also to a succession of decorative interventions — the decorative tile panels, interior and exterior –, the facade of tiled roofs facing the beech garden, the embeds and the fresh paintings on the roof of the pavilion.

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
it was first of all important to identify the values to be preserved

 

 

in order to maintain the integrity of the decorative elements, a reintegration was sought, resorting as much as possible to materials identical to the existing ones, and avoiding the removal of materials or elements that could be treated. the process also went through the identification of existing anomalies and the conduct of in situ surveys, including stratigraphy. the complete analysis of the building — and not only the areas with decorative elements to be restored — allowed learning very relevant information about the original color palette, giving the choice of the color of the facades and window frames.

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
in order to maintain the integrity of the decorative elements, a reintegration was sought

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
the project team has resorted as much as possible to materials identical to the existing ones

building pictures films the rehabilitation process of lisbon's 'quinta do bom pastor'
the reception area and common spaces are essential for intensive use and accessible to all

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom