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Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Architects: João Castelo Branco, Diogo Teixeira, Frederico Roeber, André Sanches Pinto
Lead Architect: João Castelo Branco
Associate Architects: Catarina Borges, Marcela Melo, João Borges, Ricardo Oliveira
Architecture Office: Hori-zonte
General Contractor: FL Construções Lda
Client: JMSA
Photographer: Tony Nachev

The project refers to a residential building with 3650m2, which is under construction in the city of Gaia, Porto. The intervention aims to stitch the urban scenario positively, paying particular attention to how the new building will interact with the city, its close neighbors, and the site's hilly topography. Designed according to city guidelines, the building seeks to grow to the east/south orientation to maximize the client's saleable area.

Moreover, it provides terraces, green roofs, a significant increase in solar gains, access to daylight, and natural ventilation. The building is composed of a residential program throughout, except for the two bottom levels, which will host parking and storage rooms.

The idea is to minimize ground digging and earth movements, expose the parking stories to natural ventilation, and reduce mechanical system needs. With responsibility towards the city and its inhabitants, the proposal searches for environmentally friendly concepts and building energy performance.