In Castro – Ideas And Business Centre
IN CASTRO – Ideas and Business Centre
Campos Costa Arquitetos
ARCHITECTS
Campos Costa Arquitetos
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2014
LOCATION
Castro Verde, Portugal
TYPE
Commercial › Office
Located in the municipality of Castro Verde in Alentejo, IN CASTRO – IDEIAS AND BUSINESS CENTER has been a great propellant for local entrepreneurs’ success since its inauguration in 2015.
The site is positioned within two fronts, Rua Manuel Assunção Mestre and Rua da Olivença, at the extremity of a block which once represented an agricultural warehouses’ neighbourhood.
This intervention is based on two aspects: on the one hand, the rehabilitation of the existing warehouse and, on the other hand, a new complementary extension building.
The warehouse presents a slight intervention. Without interfering with the principal and existing walls, it allows the possibility of having a clear vision of the space, especially in the two-story height ceiling area.
The new building aims to redefine the borders of the block without imposing a contrasting scale, but rather becoming harmoniously integrated within the urban context.
In this sense, its diagonal shape also sets out as an opportunity for new public spaces.These “empty corners” allow a new perception of the complex and a better link with the surroundings.
The small courtyard, with its triangular shape, becomes a space of dialog between the two buildings.
Due to its position with minimal solar exposure, the courtyard presents itself as a cool place, fulfilling a bioclimatic freshening performance.
Likewise in a bioclimatic perspective, the South facade, lacking in windows and having a highly dense exterior insulation, allows remarkable thermal gains.
The passive thermal behavior of the building was, among others, a key issue that has influenced the overall design.
Formally speaking, the total height of the new building accompanies the height of the existing warehouse, favouring a relationship between two languages that, although distinct, manage to fit in the context.
