Pedro Domingos Arquitectos

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Carlos Seoane, Arquitecto

SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET
$100K - 500K

STATUS
Built

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Ribeira, Spain

TYPE
Landscape + Planning › Public Park

The project for the "Pedra da Ra" lookout point is based upon a municipal investment Programme which aims to promote the tourist possibilities of the Riveira City Council.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

The lookout point known as "Pedra da Ra" has been used as such since the 1980s, when a concrete staircase was built to climb on the rock and from there one could observe the Atlantic Ocean’s horizon.

Over time the original staircase deteriorated while losing all its meaning.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

The project is born out of the necessity for the demolition of that aggressive concrete staircase.

This aggression is acted on both the environment and the rock itself.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Thus, one sees the need to propose an action towards the recovery of the natural state of the site.

CLEANING

The first proposal featured just to clean the site up: first by tearing down the original staircase.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Then, move land and clean up the environment of sediments and shrubs.

As a result of this cleaning, however, new rock formations appeared and made us rethink the original project.

We had to convert it from just a look out one into another that originated distinct pedestrian paths as diverse as the one towards the nearby Celtic settlement - The Cidá Castro- of great archaeological value.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

There is also the slope path, which leads one towards the dunes of The Corrubedo Natural Park.

Ultimately, we have attempted to build a new setting from where one is able to contemplate both horizons over the Atlantic Ocean and the Corrubedo Natural Park.

To be named after the unique rock formation – the Pedra da Rá.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

However, first and foremost, we propose the Cida settlement to be turned into a unique natural space by virtue of its archaeological past and its landscape value.


MATERIALS

As a result of a search for belonging, the project was primarily based on the use of local materials such as the wild granite, coming from a nearby quarry, just 4 km away.

Plus, the reutilization of both the stone tiles, so called pedras vellas, and the recycled cobble stone, coming from scraps of other works.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

They are to be used for paving some paths, which will simultaneously achieve a low-cost and low-maintenance upkeep.

The plants to be used for the vegetation will include the creeping species found on the nearby hill and will be replanted around the Pedra da Ra.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Given the nature of the chosen stone, the wild granite type plus the vegetation, the ground creeping plants, the resulting space will be one of little or no maintenance at all.


OBJECTIVES

In summary, the project has proposed a fundamental transformation.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

It goes from being a space which is based on the visual, meaning a centralized focus on a specific point, to become a one of pathways and diverse movement.


The origin of new trails will allow one to contemplate nature from different points, but above all, to experience and feel it through the different senses by means of sub textures, sounds, and smells.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Ultimately, the project has attempted to reinforce the flow of movement over the static and regain the tactile experience in addition to the visual.

Thus, achieving a set of a unique characteristic, where nature takes center stage and the architecture acts only as a framework.

Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain


Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain
Pedra Da Ra Lookout Point, Riveira, Spain

Pedro Domingos Arquitectos
T +351 218 871984
Pedro Domingos Arquitectos
Lgo Adelino Amaro da Costa, 1100-006 Lisboa, Portugal