The new program reinvents the existent building, making it a meaningful space in a peripheral region in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Arquipélago adds meaning to the social and cultural context where it is built. A new public space is materialized in a central square/pateo where art feels comfortable and blurs the frontiers between private and public spheres.
The sustainable measures adopted are passive systems that seek to provide comfort for the users: the density of the concrete walls offer inertia and energy efficiency; the rain water is reused.
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Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Centre, Ribeira Grande, Azores, Portugal
Program: arts centre
Architects: Menos é Mais Arquitectos Associados, Lda, João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto Lda
Authors: Francisco Vieira de Campos, Cristina Guedes, João Mendes Ribeiro
Project Managers: Adalgisa Lopes, Jorge Teixeira Dias, Inês Mesquita, Filipe Catarino
Project Team: Cristina Maximino, João Pontes, Luís Campos, Ana Leite Fernandes, Mariana Sendas, Pedro Costa, Inês Ferreira, João Fernandes, Catarina Fortuna, Ana Cerqueira, Ana Rita Martins, António Ferreira da Silva, Cláudia Santos, Joana Figueiredo, João Branco
Structural and hydraulic engineering and gas installations: SOPSEC, SA
Electrical Installations, Security Measures and Fire Consulting: Raul Serafim & Associados, Lda
Mechanical Installations: GET, Lda.
Programming consulting: Elisa Babo (Quaternaire), Miguel Von Haff Pérez, Marta Almeida
Conservation and Restoration Consulting: Gabriella Casella (Cariátides)
Stage Mechanics Consulting: João Aidos
Landscaping: Ana Barroco, Rui Figueiredo (Quaternaire)
Constructor: Consórcio Somague, Marques S.A. e Tecnovia
Supervising: Eng. Tavares Vieira, Lda
Client: Regional Directorate of Culture (DRaC) of the Regional Government of the Azores
Area: 12.914 sqm (9.736 sqm buildings + 3.178 sqm exterior arrangement)
Completion: 2014