This Competition was successful in finding different approaches that responded through diverse strategies to the overall theme of how to introduce presence, vitality and generate value in an overlooked part of the city of Porto. Themes were discussed along the lines of city and water in relation to the public; the inherent spatial qualities; the valorization of the coastline; the identity of the site; the River as an actor; permanent vs. transient elements; unitary vs. fragmentary intervention; urban life as well as environmental concerns.
In the awarded proposals different situations and scenarios were represented, as to better showcase the different attributes and qualities of each of the strategies. The Jury generally privileged strong concepts that managed to organize the different activities in such a long stretch of territory and that have proven to extend the requests of the Competition Brief.
FIRST PRIZE – “GENESIS” by Arch. Konstantinos Kosmas and Nestoras Skantzouris, Athens – Greece
From the Jury: “The Jury praised this proposal as being a unique proposal, a bare-minimum, gestural approach to the most basic needs of the place. This project is comprised of a geometrical element that generates deliberately an empty public space, a functionally uncompromising structure.
The sloping plane answers to the different water levels, changing its shape. This was recognized as an iconic monolithic approach that would impact the city life, an object that captivates by the poetic moments it helps generate.”
From the author: “The triangular monolith emerges from the river as a missing piece of the surrounding landscape. Now it seems complete. The newborn island cracks and reveals the lagoon hidden in its core.
Man inhabits the new river bank with the help of smaller alterations of the solid through steps, paths and engraved markings. A landscape for human activity, a topos.”
SECOND PRIZE – Project by team: Katarzyna Toczynska, Katarzyna Lesniewska and Alicja Wozniak, Poznan – Poland
From the Jury: “Exceptional project that is rich and varied working with one single theme: the variations in scale of the stairs/steps element. The reference to the steps and terraces of Douro and Porto is clear, but also interestingly adapted to the functional needs of the place.
It gets its shape in reaction to the immediate surroundings and successfully integrates them with the functions required. The path is composed of different moments, which evolve from a more rational framework to a more organic moment, when meeting the greener slope.
The existing green structure of the river is maintained and integrated to provide greater value to the proposal.
The Jury felt this to be an interesting approach that by being broken in smaller fragments, responds in a better way to the functional needs, as well as creating a diverse and harmonious intervention in relation to the city.”
THIRD PRIZE – “Peças de cidade, pedaços de rio” “City parts, river pieces” by Italian team: Lorenzo Majer, Anna Merci and Marta Bianchi
From the Jury: “The Jury praised this to be an accurate reading of the different moments of the city on the riverside, translated into the project as two moments, the Quay and the River Park.
A strong value was placed in the good relation to the city fabric; the surroundings are emulated, with basis on a graphic grid. The clarity of thought is felt across the whole intervention.
The strategy of the public path as a grid mainframe, helps intertwine the otherwise scattered program along the riverfront.
The Jury team felt that this was a somewhat static proposal, made rich and dynamic by the incidental water level variation, which it fruitfully engages and integrates.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
In the awarded proposals different situations and scenarios were represented, as to better showcase the different attributes and qualities of each of the strategies.
The Jury generally privileged strong concepts that managed to organize the different activities in such a long stretch of territory and that have proven to extend the requests of the Competition Brief.
A Total of five Honorable Mentions were selected by the Jury as being of great relevance by the themes discussed and overall high-quality of spaces and atmospheres generated.
(HM01) – “Carquejeiras” by Portuguese team: Ana Rita Duarte, Afonso Carvalho Onofre, Maria João Tato and Margarida Videira Pires
(HM02) – “The Wall” by Lithaunian/Greek team: Andrius Raguotis, Fani Ntintoka and Sofia Zournatzidou
(HM03) – “Omnia Mecum Porto”by Portuguese team: Daniel Maia, Mariana Barreira, Ricardo Amaral and Ricardo Domingues
(HM04) – “Floating Lido” by Martyna Marciniak from Poland
(HM05) – “Curved Pool” by Vietnamese team: Ly Thanh Hoang Phuc, Do Thi Vanh Khuyen, Nguyen Duc Canh and Phan Quang Duy from Cung Studio. Source by Ctrl+Space.
Year: 2015
Images: Coutesy of Ctrl+Space