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First prize: Bruno Schindler
Architect from Germany
First prize: Bruno Schindler
Architect from Germany
Third prize: Andrew Landry
"This counter proposal aims to extend the Municipal Library in Porto, Portugal while considering the character and ambiance of the surrounding neighborhood. The design incorporates motifs and design features that harmonize with the existing urban fabric, breathing new life into the area.
Drawing inspiration from the Ribeira architectural style, we have carefully selected elements that reflect the spirit of the neighborhood. These include elegant wrought iron window guards, stone belt courses, and tastefully designed door and window surrounds. To infuse vibrancy, we have incorporated colorful azulejo exterior finishes, corniced rooflines, and the warmth of terracotta tiles. The heavy wooden doors feature raised paneling, often accompanied by transoms.
The primary objective is to create a subtle contrast between the extension and the existing library. While the current structure exudes a sense of weightiness and enclosure, this design focuses on openness and a welcoming atmosphere. To achieve this, the east and west facades have been divided by a central massing with courtyards on either side, creating an "H"-shaped roof plan. The eastern elevation boasts a sizable courtyard and stacked colonnades, creating a visually engaging space.
Additionally, the south elevation offers alfresco seating and leisure areas that can serve multiple purposes, such as accommodating a café or a gift shop. This flexible space allows visitors to relax and enjoy the library's surroundings, fostering a sense of community engagement.
The vision is to seamlessly blend the proposed extension with the existing architectural styles while introducing a fresh perspective. By incorporating these design elements, we aim to invigorate the neighborhood and create a library that becomes a cherished focal point. The thoughtful integration of traditional motifs and innovative features ensures that the extension not only respects the surrounding urban fabric but also brings a renewed sense of vitality to the area." Andrew Landry, M.Arch student from the US
Drawing inspiration from the Ribeira architectural style, we have carefully selected elements that reflect the spirit of the neighborhood. These include elegant wrought iron window guards, stone belt courses, and tastefully designed door and window surrounds. To infuse vibrancy, we have incorporated colorful azulejo exterior finishes, corniced rooflines, and the warmth of terracotta tiles. The heavy wooden doors feature raised paneling, often accompanied by transoms.
The primary objective is to create a subtle contrast between the extension and the existing library. While the current structure exudes a sense of weightiness and enclosure, this design focuses on openness and a welcoming atmosphere. To achieve this, the east and west facades have been divided by a central massing with courtyards on either side, creating an "H"-shaped roof plan. The eastern elevation boasts a sizable courtyard and stacked colonnades, creating a visually engaging space.
Additionally, the south elevation offers alfresco seating and leisure areas that can serve multiple purposes, such as accommodating a café or a gift shop. This flexible space allows visitors to relax and enjoy the library's surroundings, fostering a sense of community engagement.
The vision is to seamlessly blend the proposed extension with the existing architectural styles while introducing a fresh perspective. By incorporating these design elements, we aim to invigorate the neighborhood and create a library that becomes a cherished focal point. The thoughtful integration of traditional motifs and innovative features ensures that the extension not only respects the surrounding urban fabric but also brings a renewed sense of vitality to the area." Andrew Landry, M.Arch student from the US
Third prize: Andrew Landry
"This counter proposal aims to extend the Municipal Library in Porto, Portugal while considering the character and ambiance of the surrounding neighborhood. The design incorporates motifs and design features that harmonize with the existing urban fabric, breathing new life into the area.
Drawing inspiration from the Ribeira architectural style, we have carefully selected elements that reflect the spirit of the neighborhood. These include elegant wrought iron window guards, stone belt courses, and tastefully designed door and window surrounds. To infuse vibrancy, we have incorporated colorful azulejo exterior finishes, corniced rooflines, and the warmth of terracotta tiles. The heavy wooden doors feature raised paneling, often accompanied by transoms.
The primary objective is to create a subtle contrast between the extension and the existing library. While the current structure exudes a sense of weightiness and enclosure, this design focuses on openness and a welcoming atmosphere. To achieve this, the east and west facades have been divided by a central massing with courtyards on either side, creating an "H"-shaped roof plan. The eastern elevation boasts a sizable courtyard and stacked colonnades, creating a visually engaging space.
Additionally, the south elevation offers alfresco seating and leisure areas that can serve multiple purposes, such as accommodating a café or a gift shop. This flexible space allows visitors to relax and enjoy the library's surroundings, fostering a sense of community engagement.
The vision is to seamlessly blend the proposed extension with the existing architectural styles while introducing a fresh perspective. By incorporating these design elements, we aim to invigorate the neighborhood and create a library that becomes a cherished focal point. The thoughtful integration of traditional motifs and innovative features ensures that the extension not only respects the surrounding urban fabric but also brings a renewed sense of vitality to the area." Andrew Landry, M.Arch student from the US
Drawing inspiration from the Ribeira architectural style, we have carefully selected elements that reflect the spirit of the neighborhood. These include elegant wrought iron window guards, stone belt courses, and tastefully designed door and window surrounds. To infuse vibrancy, we have incorporated colorful azulejo exterior finishes, corniced rooflines, and the warmth of terracotta tiles. The heavy wooden doors feature raised paneling, often accompanied by transoms.
The primary objective is to create a subtle contrast between the extension and the existing library. While the current structure exudes a sense of weightiness and enclosure, this design focuses on openness and a welcoming atmosphere. To achieve this, the east and west facades have been divided by a central massing with courtyards on either side, creating an "H"-shaped roof plan. The eastern elevation boasts a sizable courtyard and stacked colonnades, creating a visually engaging space.
Additionally, the south elevation offers alfresco seating and leisure areas that can serve multiple purposes, such as accommodating a café or a gift shop. This flexible space allows visitors to relax and enjoy the library's surroundings, fostering a sense of community engagement.
The vision is to seamlessly blend the proposed extension with the existing architectural styles while introducing a fresh perspective. By incorporating these design elements, we aim to invigorate the neighborhood and create a library that becomes a cherished focal point. The thoughtful integration of traditional motifs and innovative features ensures that the extension not only respects the surrounding urban fabric but also brings a renewed sense of vitality to the area." Andrew Landry, M.Arch student from the US
Alternative proposal by Roberto Rodríguez Galán
"The proposal follows the configuration of the original project by Souto de Moura, where the heights are determined by those of the neighboring buildings, and the ground floor opens to the exterior, in this case through a gallery of monumental Tuscan arches.
The use of the same material palette as the existing building allows the project to blend into its surroundings, although its decidedly classical form makes it stand out among the adjacent constructions. However, its most distinctive feature - its asymmetrical facade - aims to attenuate the individuality of the structure, making it perceived as part of a whole."
The use of the same material palette as the existing building allows the project to blend into its surroundings, although its decidedly classical form makes it stand out among the adjacent constructions. However, its most distinctive feature - its asymmetrical facade - aims to attenuate the individuality of the structure, making it perceived as part of a whole."
Alternative proposal by Roberto Rodríguez Galán
"The proposal follows the configuration of the original project by Souto de Moura, where the heights are determined by those of the neighboring buildings, and the ground floor opens to the exterior, in this case through a gallery of monumental Tuscan arches.
The use of the same material palette as the existing building allows the project to blend into its surroundings, although its decidedly classical form makes it stand out among the adjacent constructions. However, its most distinctive feature - its asymmetrical facade - aims to attenuate the individuality of the structure, making it perceived as part of a whole."
The use of the same material palette as the existing building allows the project to blend into its surroundings, although its decidedly classical form makes it stand out among the adjacent constructions. However, its most distinctive feature - its asymmetrical facade - aims to attenuate the individuality of the structure, making it perceived as part of a whole."
Second prize: Alex Peacock
"My proposal addresses the brief in a number of ways; it continues the original style of the library seamlessly, but is of its own a beautiful and energetic building. The ground floor facade consists of arches, referencing the arched interior courtyard of the original library, and providing a large amount of window space, so that pedestrians will be invited into the library, and which fills the interior with light.
In a library, natural light is an important design feature, and so, in reference to the courtyard and cloisters of the original library, an atrium has been included in my extension, with a skylight on the roof. Plants, trees, and vines will adorn this atrium, and escalators will connect the floors, rising through this space. The interior will be open plan, bright, and modern.
The materiality of this extension will be the same as what came before it; locally sourced stone, tiles, and plaster. This will be sustainable in numerous ways; its strength will ensure a long-lasting building, which will age well and not need to be demolished and replaced, and, in being of local materials, will be free from the pollution of lengthy transport.
The building, in the traditional plain Portuguese style, follow rules of proportion, of symmetry, and of logic. It is at a human scale, and pleasing to the eye, and will be ornamented in its ground floor arches, with a canvas awning covering the street from shade, and in the ironwork of its balconies, its carved detailing around the windows, and the classical sculptures on the tiled roof."
Alex Peacock, student in Architecture
In a library, natural light is an important design feature, and so, in reference to the courtyard and cloisters of the original library, an atrium has been included in my extension, with a skylight on the roof. Plants, trees, and vines will adorn this atrium, and escalators will connect the floors, rising through this space. The interior will be open plan, bright, and modern.
The materiality of this extension will be the same as what came before it; locally sourced stone, tiles, and plaster. This will be sustainable in numerous ways; its strength will ensure a long-lasting building, which will age well and not need to be demolished and replaced, and, in being of local materials, will be free from the pollution of lengthy transport.
The building, in the traditional plain Portuguese style, follow rules of proportion, of symmetry, and of logic. It is at a human scale, and pleasing to the eye, and will be ornamented in its ground floor arches, with a canvas awning covering the street from shade, and in the ironwork of its balconies, its carved detailing around the windows, and the classical sculptures on the tiled roof."
Alex Peacock, student in Architecture
Second prize: Alex Peacock
"My proposal addresses the brief in a number of ways; it continues the original style of the library seamlessly, but is of its own a beautiful and energetic building. The ground floor facade consists of arches, referencing the arched interior courtyard of the original library, and providing a large amount of window space, so that pedestrians will be invited into the library, and which fills the interior with light.
In a library, natural light is an important design feature, and so, in reference to the courtyard and cloisters of the original library, an atrium has been included in my extension, with a skylight on the roof. Plants, trees, and vines will adorn this atrium, and escalators will connect the floors, rising through this space. The interior will be open plan, bright, and modern.
The materiality of this extension will be the same as what came before it; locally sourced stone, tiles, and plaster. This will be sustainable in numerous ways; its strength will ensure a long-lasting building, which will age well and not need to be demolished and replaced, and, in being of local materials, will be free from the pollution of lengthy transport.
The building, in the traditional plain Portuguese style, follow rules of proportion, of symmetry, and of logic. It is at a human scale, and pleasing to the eye, and will be ornamented in its ground floor arches, with a canvas awning covering the street from shade, and in the ironwork of its balconies, its carved detailing around the windows, and the classical sculptures on the tiled roof."
Alex Peacock, student in Architecture
In a library, natural light is an important design feature, and so, in reference to the courtyard and cloisters of the original library, an atrium has been included in my extension, with a skylight on the roof. Plants, trees, and vines will adorn this atrium, and escalators will connect the floors, rising through this space. The interior will be open plan, bright, and modern.
The materiality of this extension will be the same as what came before it; locally sourced stone, tiles, and plaster. This will be sustainable in numerous ways; its strength will ensure a long-lasting building, which will age well and not need to be demolished and replaced, and, in being of local materials, will be free from the pollution of lengthy transport.
The building, in the traditional plain Portuguese style, follow rules of proportion, of symmetry, and of logic. It is at a human scale, and pleasing to the eye, and will be ornamented in its ground floor arches, with a canvas awning covering the street from shade, and in the ironwork of its balconies, its carved detailing around the windows, and the classical sculptures on the tiled roof."
Alex Peacock, student in Architecture
Project by Jan Chee Sing
"This is an alternative proposal for the extension of the Municipal Library of Porto designed in the language of classical architecture. It intends to show that there are many design possibilities in extending a classical library building, other than designing it in the prevalent international modernist design style.
Inspired by the squarish courtyard in the existing library building, the extension building is designed with a rotunda as the focal point of the extension building. The rotunda, topped with a slight conical roof, anchors the extension building prominently at the junction of two roads : Rua do Visconde de Bobeda & Av. de Rodrigues de Freitas. The rotunda, with windows lining its periphery at various floor levels, brings in much needed daylight into the library extension building and enlivens the library interior spaces. It is a complement to the existing squarish courtyard.
The street level is lined with a two-storey building designed with windows and arched openings resembling the existing building facade. It extends the existing library building along the two roads. On the pedestrian level, arched openings bring people into the covered public walkway and entrance into the library extension building.
On the upper level, a covered verandah space is designed as a viewing gallery for people overlooking the beautiful private park opposite the library extension building. Flowers and shrubs are planted along the verandah space to beautify the streetscape.
Only the top most level of the three-storey rotunda is visible from the street. It may also function as a clock tower in this part of Porto city. The ground level of the rotunda can be used as a multi-functional space such as entrance foyer, exhibition space, or used partly for cafe seatings.
The proposed library extension building is to be built with as much local and natural building materials as possible. Local artisans and craftsmen are to be given priority in making the building parts and in constructing the library extension building, so that the local traditional building trades can be sustained."
Inspired by the squarish courtyard in the existing library building, the extension building is designed with a rotunda as the focal point of the extension building. The rotunda, topped with a slight conical roof, anchors the extension building prominently at the junction of two roads : Rua do Visconde de Bobeda & Av. de Rodrigues de Freitas. The rotunda, with windows lining its periphery at various floor levels, brings in much needed daylight into the library extension building and enlivens the library interior spaces. It is a complement to the existing squarish courtyard.
The street level is lined with a two-storey building designed with windows and arched openings resembling the existing building facade. It extends the existing library building along the two roads. On the pedestrian level, arched openings bring people into the covered public walkway and entrance into the library extension building.
On the upper level, a covered verandah space is designed as a viewing gallery for people overlooking the beautiful private park opposite the library extension building. Flowers and shrubs are planted along the verandah space to beautify the streetscape.
Only the top most level of the three-storey rotunda is visible from the street. It may also function as a clock tower in this part of Porto city. The ground level of the rotunda can be used as a multi-functional space such as entrance foyer, exhibition space, or used partly for cafe seatings.
The proposed library extension building is to be built with as much local and natural building materials as possible. Local artisans and craftsmen are to be given priority in making the building parts and in constructing the library extension building, so that the local traditional building trades can be sustained."
Project by Jan Chee Sing
Alternative proposal by
Matheus Carvalho Teixeira
"A contraproposta para o projeto atual da Biblioteca Municipal do Porto visa remodelar o anexo como uma extensão integrada à biblioteca no bairro. No projeto existente, o volume branco é posicionado no território de forma isolada e introspectiva, distanciado de tudo ao seu redor. Nesta nova proposta, busca-se criar um elemento expressivo que valorize o ambiente circundante e se abra ao público, integrado com o antigo. A fachada retoma o elemento central do interior da antiga biblioteca, isto é, o antigo claustro com suas arcadas circundantes. Assim, a fachada se abre para a cidade por meio de uma praça, que no projeto de Souto de Moura é voltada para o interior, enclausurada. Esta nova praça convida o pedestre ao interior do edifício por meio do café e das arcadas, sendo uma bela adesão ao espaço público do entorno. A própria fachada é mais convidativa para o pedestre, contrário ao branco opaco, esta possui janelas, ritmo e colunas que utilizam uma linguagem familiar, resultando em um conjunto harmonioso que se integra de maneira efetiva ao entorno e com o edifício antigo."
Matheus Teixeira, architect
Matheus Teixeira, architect
Alternative proposal by
Matheus Carvalho Teixeira
Alternative proposal by João Batista
"The extension drawn by architect Souto Moura for the Municipal Library of Porto follow is typical box shaped forms. Next to an historical building and the surroundings filled with XIX houses, it seems to be completely out of context.
His project does not seem to have any true intentions or care for the pre existing. A standard and lazy approach to tackle this issue.
My proposal seeks to address the local identity, by using the shapes and composition of the old library. As well as take advantage of the semi circular corner of the lot instead of putting up a huge concrete tower that looks like a bunker.
The three floors match the original building, leaving more space for book storage and also forming a better relationship with the surrounding urban context.
The only detail I left out were the urn shaped pinnacles on top of the pilasters, since this building does not need the added verticality."
His project does not seem to have any true intentions or care for the pre existing. A standard and lazy approach to tackle this issue.
My proposal seeks to address the local identity, by using the shapes and composition of the old library. As well as take advantage of the semi circular corner of the lot instead of putting up a huge concrete tower that looks like a bunker.
The three floors match the original building, leaving more space for book storage and also forming a better relationship with the surrounding urban context.
The only detail I left out were the urn shaped pinnacles on top of the pilasters, since this building does not need the added verticality."
Alternative proposal by João Batista
"The extension drawn by architect Souto Moura for the Municipal Library of Porto follow is typical box shaped forms. Next to an historical building and the surroundings filled with XIX houses, it seems to be completely out of context.
His project does not seem to have any true intentions or care for the pre existing. A standard and lazy approach to tackle this issue.
My proposal seeks to address the local identity, by using the shapes and composition of the old library. As well as take advantage of the semi circular corner of the lot instead of putting up a huge concrete tower that looks like a bunker.
The three floors match the original building, leaving more space for book storage and also forming a better relationship with the surrounding urban context.
The only detail I left out were the urn shaped pinnacles on top of the pilasters, since this building does not need the added verticality."
His project does not seem to have any true intentions or care for the pre existing. A standard and lazy approach to tackle this issue.
My proposal seeks to address the local identity, by using the shapes and composition of the old library. As well as take advantage of the semi circular corner of the lot instead of putting up a huge concrete tower that looks like a bunker.
The three floors match the original building, leaving more space for book storage and also forming a better relationship with the surrounding urban context.
The only detail I left out were the urn shaped pinnacles on top of the pilasters, since this building does not need the added verticality."
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