summary's vale de cambra project balances between pragmatism and experimentalism

summary’s ‘vale de cambra project’ in portugal configures a practical example of prefabricated architecture, assuming the immediacy, flexibility and optimization of resources as the core themes. the spatial strategy is to address the ground floor level for a multi-service program connected with the public space and the first floor level for individual habitational units. due to the differences between the two programs, an independent access for each function is created, placing them in different levels and taking advantage of the ground’s natural slope.

multi-functional spaces in the ground floor: contemporary art gallery
rendering © alban wagener

portuguese based studio summary composed the ground floor level by using prefabricated slabs and structural panels in the whole exterior perimeter. considering the ‘vale de cambra project’ is located in a roadside area where everything changes quickly, the multi-service space is conceived in a very flexible way. the internal compartment is made with removable panels with inner rails for the distribution of water and electricity systems, enabling future adjustments and modifications. this makes it possible to add or remove compartments, or let the whole level function as an open space. thus, the users will make their own space, according to the program at hand.

multi-functional spaces in the ground floor: office and kinder garden

the first floor is all composed of gomos system units. considering that the maximum building area permitted by law is quite short, the requested empty space is used to separate the housing units. as ‘vale de cambra project’ is conceptualized and licensed as a collective housing building, with this separation the project offers the main advantages of single houses: clearly individualized entrances and a complete acoustic separation between the different units.

multi-functional spaces in the ground floor: different commerces

a close-up of the housing unit

an architectural visualization from the backyard of the building

one of the ground floor layouts functions as a gallery with moveable separation walls

the first floor acts as small houses

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

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