Marc Schwabedissen

new forms of living on the cliffs of Almada

lisbon

The site is located on the southern banks of the river Tejo in Almada, opposite Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

Within a cliff the terrain is situated between +10.00 and +90.00m above sea level.

the city and the river

The cities of Lisbon and Almada (among others) form the “areal metropolitan lisboa”. This area extends along the Tejo and occupies more and more of the hinterland. Life within the “areal metropolitan lisboa” is influenced by the strong topography and the river Tejo itself. Nowadays the river is still loosing significance.

To strengthen the importance of the river and to bring it back into the city’s life, the idea evolved to create living space on the banks of the river close to the city centre.

the site

Because the cliff is orientated mainly in north-western direction, the set out of the units and the analysis of light conditions are of great importance.

In 1999 a small park was built at the foot of the cliff in order to improve the area along the water. The existing buildings along the jetty walls, mainly fisher huts, are substantially run down and hardly in use anymore.

The present scheme aims to preserve these buildings and to generate an interesting contrast.

The urban planning department is also proposing services like restaurants and shops along this stretch to revalue it.

the scheme

The `lines` along the cliff consist of different housing units to respond to the demands set by topography and light.

The set out of the units allows direct sunlight for at least ten months a year (mainly in the afternoon).

The new accesses into the site make use of existing paths and roads as far as possible. Moreover, new connections to the river -accessible for the public- are provided by using the ramps within the scheme. These connections are designed to open up views, full of suspense, back to Lisbon and also into the cliffside.

The construction process consists of two phases.

The units are completely prefabricated, the construction on site follows stage by stage until the units are lifted in position.

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