João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto Lda

Casa das Caldeiras

Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

CASA DAS CALDEIRAS

João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos

ARCHITECTS
João Mendes Ribeiro + Cristina Guedes

PHOTOGRAPHS
Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

YEAR
2008

LOCATION
Coimbra, Portugal

CATEGORY
Culture

Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Text description provided by architect.

This project involves remodelling the old Thermal Centre of University of Coimbra Hospital and constructing a new building.

Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

It was developed at the end of 1990s to house the Photographic Study Centre of the University of Coimbra.

The work was completed about ten years later and the building handed over to the Faculty of Arts to serve as the premises for post-graduate courses in Art Studies.

Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Despite the fact that the use and programme of the building had been altered the core characteristics of the project were maintained in full.

The project led to requalification of the existing building, on the one hand enhancing it within its historical context of industrial archaeology and, on the other, clarifying its integration in the town structure.

The actual remodelling of the building involved minimal intervention and consisted in restoring the building, maintaining the structural machinery of the boilers and creating suitable air-conditioning and lighting systems for the new programme: cafeteria and art bookshop.

Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

The new building was designed in a deliberately neutral language to hightlight the main Casa das Caldeiras building and it was made in apparent concrete.

It rises vertically in three square sectioned spaces of varying heights and combinations. The basis of its design is the configuration and volume of the old “coat room”.


Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG


Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG


Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Casa das Caldeiras
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG


Casa das Caldeiras
Level 00 Plan
Casa das Caldeiras
Level 01 Plan
Casa das Caldeiras
Level 02 Plan
Casa das Caldeiras
Level 03 Plan
Casa das Caldeiras
Roof Plan
Casa das Caldeiras
Site Plan


Casa das Caldeiras
Site Section 01
Casa das Caldeiras
Site Section 02


Casa das Caldeiras
Elevation 01
Casa das Caldeiras
Elevation 02
Casa das Caldeiras
Elevation 03


Casa das Caldeiras
Section A
Casa das Caldeiras
Section B
Casa das Caldeiras
Section C
Casa das Caldeiras
Section D
Casa das Caldeiras
Section E


Casa das Caldeiras
Exploded Axo

João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto Lda
T +351 239 833763
João Mendes Ribeiro Arquitecto Lda
R. de Tomar 1, 3000-401 Coimbra, Portugal
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T +351 222 010451
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R. da Sra. da Luz 37, 4150-202 Porto, Portugal