Housing Complex of Alfazina OP-10, Almada

The proposal sought to combine in the architecture of the housing complex the pertinence of a dense functional program and the circumstance of an enveloping territory in clogging where it will play a role of transition between the urban fabric and the unbuilt context to the west.

There are two particularly relevant intentions in the proposed design. Firstly, the idea
of consolidating, with the future housing complex, the existing pedestrian paths, proposing a transversal connection between Rua de Alfazina de Cima and the “yellow district”, linking and bridging the existing urban structure. Second, the introduction of a new connection with a unique and identity design, capable of structuring and qualifying its context with three main valences:
1 - a pedestrian path in a border situation between the urbanized mesh and the unbuilt terrain that promotes a relationship open to the landscape,
2 – introduction of a qualified green area on the southern edge of the land,
3 – construction of a public space in the center of the complex that allows the social relationship between the inhabitants of the 156 proposed dwellings.

The implantation and volumetry of the buildings respects the limits defined by the Alfazina subdivision. The lots are arranged parallel to Rua Alfazina de Cima, taking advantage of the natural slope of the land to solve the introduction of a semi-underground floor intended for car parking and the conditioned accessibility to floor 0 of all lots.
In general, the lots are made up of a basement that promotes a level platform from which the floors intended for housing are developed.

Thus, in summary, we sought to:
- Create a structured public space, which extends and consolidates existing structures through continuity.
- Affirm the transition between the urban fabric and the unbuilt context.
- Propose a strong and identity-based formal solution.