FREE/fernando romero + OODA: university of porto business school

‘university of porto business school’ by OODA, porto, portugal
all images courtesy OODA

portuguese architecture practice OODA and new york-based FREE/fernando romero have produced a proposal for
the ‘university of porto business school’ within the urban center of porto, portugal. strategically placed voids within
the facade provide visual
relationships between visitors and the encompassing urban environment, adjacent park
and
nearby facilities, weaving the building into the existing campus. with an eclectic surrounding context comprised
of structures designed by internationally renowned architects, the exterior assumes a muted appearance and places
an emphasis on the interior experience.

aerial view

reception within a double height atrium regulates the circulating visitors to the restaurant and cafeteria for events
and
cocktail hours. ground level common areas are positioned near the bustling street while private spaces are
arranged to overlook the tranquil wooded landscape. classrooms are elevated to the first floor and placed on either
end of the rectangular volume generating a cross movement which will encourage conversation and gathering between
students and teachers. wide corridors facilitate networking and collaboration on projects as impromptu interactions occur.

interior

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

site analysis diagram

(left) urban context diagram
(right) framed views

(left) area diagram
(right) program distribution diagram

(left) voids and access diagram
(right) patios and light diagram

(left) structural diagram
(right) facade arrangement diagram

programmatic diagram

landscape elements

project info:

team: free/fernando romero + ooda
free: fernando romero, sergio rebelo, astrid rovisco suzano, andreia teixeira, hector romero
ooda: diogo brito, rodrigo vilas-boas, francisco lencastre, francisca lopes dos santos
engineering: geg, porto
result: settled