Alves Martins High School in Viseu, Portugal by Cândido Chuva Gomes, Arquitectos

Article source: Cândido Chuva Gomes, Arquitectos

The original building was designed by José Costa e Silva, and opened in April 1948. Two big classrooms volumes were positioned symmetrically, joined by a central body, which included an archway, where the covered recess area operated.

Through a gallery, and from the main hall, the two volumes (corresponding to the old male and female wings) linked themselves to another volume, corresponding to the gymnasium and the dining hall.

Image Courtesy FG+SG

• Architects: Cândido Chuva Gomes, Arquitectos
• Project: Alves Martins High School
• Location: Viseu, Portugal
• Management And Coordination Of The Studies: Cândido Chuva Gomes Arquitectos, Lda. / Ana Pestana, Unipessoal Lda.
• Project Team – Architecture: Cândido Chuva Gomes, Sandra Amorim, Ana Florêncio, Ana Luísa Brandão, Bruno Bernardo, Bruno Ribeiro, Cristina Martinho, Paulo Melo, Vanda Vitorino, Luís Quaresma, Lénia Nobre, João Seabra
• Stability / Water Supply And Sewage Network / Gas / Solid Waste: Proconsultores Ii, Projectos E Consultoria, Lda.,  Joaquim De Almeida
• Electrical Equipment And Installation Project / Telecommunications Equipment Mechanical Equipment / Centralised Technical Management / Solar Power System / Safety Systems: Proconsultores Ii, Projectos E Consultoria, Lda., Hélder Reis
• Hvac Systems: Proconsultores Ii, Projectos E Consultoria, Lda., José Marques
• Accoustics Design: Artacústica, Engenharia Acústica, Carlos Fafaiol
• Lighting Design: Eclipz, Rogério Oliveira
• Landscape Design (Biodesign): Arquitectura Paisagista, Planeamento E Consultadoria Ambiental, Lda. / Lodo , Arquitectura Paisagista, Lda., Carlos Correia Dias, Elsa Barroso, Armando Conceição, Lúcia Barreto, Cristina Matias
• Client: Parque Escolar, E.P.E.
• Timeline: 2008-2011
• Project Name: Projecto De Reformulação E Ampliação Da Escola Secundária Públia Hortênsia De Castro
• Building Contractor: Lena Construções / Abrantina / Mrg Engenharia E Construção
• Photography: José Campos
• Software used: Autocad

Image Courtesy FG+SG

The architecture abides to the Estado Novo codes and formal language. However, it is on the quality of the construction and sturdiness of the whole, as well as on the quality of the materials, that the building outstands, showing a rather satisfactory state of preservation.

The principles of the intervention included maintaining the soul of the building, as well as its formal characteristics, allowing a peaceful conversion and adaptation to the current functional and technical demands, preserving its image, its relation towards the surroundings and the public space.

Image Courtesy FG+SG

The functional organization of the School begins with a central core, where the highest use intensity spaces gather, acting as an interface between the classroom volumes, sports and recreational areas.

New areas had to be added, and two new volumes, equally symmetric, were added at the end of the existing wings. The dematerialization of the volumes is accomplished by the printed glass façade. Besides these, the expansion extends itself on the -1 floor, acknowledged by the several excavated patios, bringing natural light into the buried floor.

The sports pavilion was completely renovated, with new locker rooms and showers, as well as the entire outdoor spaces and landscaping.

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Image Courtesy FG+SG

Tags: Portugal, Viseu

Categories: Autocad, School

This entry was posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2012 at 7:04 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.