Laura Maréchal & Rebecca Muller
Relation high-low levels on Guindais’ terraces. ISA Saint-Luc Liège (Belgium)
The project is located on Guindais’ terraces of Porto near the quays of Ribeira, Ponte Luis and Ponte Infante. The site which presents a large difference in level connects the upper and lower parts of the city.
The lower part is delimited by a highway and the river Douro and is mainly surrounded by dwellings.
The upper part, where several public institutions are located (school, university…), is made up of an incoherent urban environment split by another highway.
The objectives of the project are to increase the interest for this part of the city, to create a strong connection with the Douro and to improve the coherence of the urban environment. The main idea is to elaborate the relationship between the high and low levels by the implementation of new functions (buildings) and public spaces (free spaces).
From the quays the project (especially the office building) becomes a reference point which raises questions. This building passes under the highway and extends up to the Douro.
There are several possible routes to clumb to the top of the site from the bottom of the terraces. These steep paths give access to all terraces with mainly dwellings and offering several viewing points. A lift going up to the intermediate level is installed near the main building (offices) while a second lift linked to the library enables to ascent of the last few.
On the upper level, the urban environment is closed for the construction of the new university. This creates a public space in the heart of the university. The continuity given by the free spaces emphasizes the connection between the upper and lower levels.
The buildings overhanging the steep site, respect the characteristics of the environment and help to create quality spaces.
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