Gonçalo Duarte Pacheco architects
The Fortress of Cresmina was created on this part of the territory with the simple function of protection from the enemy coming from the sea. At the same time this fortification served as a first warning to the capital. For centuries we become accustomed to see this fort from earth to the sea. Currently the principal threat will is not seen more from ocean nor its function is expressed by its ability to defend this territory.
At South incidentally the fort is composed of an ally that is the sublime view of the coast that combines with an endless horizon of the sea. Nowadays, the Main Danger comes from the ground, because the Fortress is completely exposed to the northern coastal road that outright threatens to further the state of degradation in which it is unfortunately.
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The Concept Idea for this building was to create an art center that embraces the fortress creating a topography strap whose main function a complete re-renaturation and the regulated protection from coastal road. The proposal being buried, we get the full protection of the fort, as well as of the external attacks such as natural erosion caused by wind and salt from ocean. This intervention allows that we project without touching the existing structure that we can reveal with a complete opening of the landscape, as evidenced by the central patio, which culminates the end of the visit to the center. By this ideia we are creating a cultural destination where the focus is on the protection of the cultural heritage and in the revealing of the Fortress in each room of the art center.
The Program runs as a spiral at a same level but at different quotas. It allows the visit begins and ends at the same point, culminating in the cafeteria open to the interior patio which overlooks the ocean. At each point of the program there is an opening overhead light, which emerges as the single point that is revealed in the territory, interacting as part of any outside exposure. As we go through the different rooms we are faced with gaps openings to the fort, their location allow us to understand the form and the genesis of the various transformations that have occurred there.
Embracing Cresmina Fort
Competition entry. Cascais.2015
