‘rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school’ by sousasantos arquitectos, caldas da rainha, portugal all images © joão morgado

lisbon-based sousasantos arquitectos has completed the ‘rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school’, located in caldas da rainha, portugal. the building is rooted in the slope between the two sports fields of the school. the structures are connected with a bridge that is open to the elements which curves and mimics the topography of the site. an angled exterior pattern of trapezoids and triangles along the platform, south edifice and roof surface of the institution creates a rhythmic language which is modeled after the vertical and horizontal architectural facades.

the public program is located at the south end of the complex, it consists of the library and amphitheater to enhance the relationship of the campus with the urban fabric of the city. the upper level of this building is constructed with thin metallic columns that create a matrix in the learning hall. the pillars reach upwards to the ceiling creating a skylight and architectural paradox where the support of the beams appear to be finished in the sky. the open space promotes areas of informal consultation, reading and documentation defined with the wall surfaces covered in shelves and counters positioned throughout the middle of the room.

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 2buildings positioned on slop image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 3 site view image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 4 curving bridge image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 5 open passage way image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 6 trapezoidal structures image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 7 mimicking patterns image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 8 interior space image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 9 image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 10 image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 11 library image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 12 pillars reaching towards skylights image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 13 night view image © joão morgado

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 14 modelimage © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 15 modelimage © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 16 site planimage © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 17 plan, level 0image © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 18 plan, level 1image © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 19 elevationimage © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 20 elevations image © sousasantos arquitectos

sousasantos arquitectos: rafael bordalo pinheiro secondary school, lisbon - 21 sections image © sousasantos arquitectos

project info:

architects: jorge sousa santos, bruno ferraz, patricia costa, ismael prata, sofia oliveira, vítor ribeiro client: parque escolar construction: 2010 location: caldas da rainha photographer: joão morgado