Madeira, Portugal

Arts Centre - Casa Das Mudas

Paulo David

Place

the Arts Centre Is a Landscape Mark, Placed Strategically on the Top of the Cliff That Abruptly Terminates over the Atlantic Ocean.

Calheta Is a District With Large Extension, Located on the West Coastline of the Island. It Is Situated in the Middle of the Deepest Point of a Valley and Surrounded by High Mountains.

Concept

the Original Concept Aimed at the Mountains Resetting, a Concept Where the Building Would Act Merely As a Topographic Mark. the Final Outcome Is a Large Set of Sculpted Volumes, Formed by an Abstract Geometry Where in the End the Intervention Is Brought out, Blending the Merging With Nature.

the Relationship Between the Old House, Casa Das Mudas, With Its Surroundings, Formed by Land-Steps, a Typical Agricultural Solution of Madeira, Brought out a Humanized Landscape, One That Was Meant to Be Recreated by the Project, As a Reminder of What the Traditional Madeira Rural Landscape Used to Look Like. the Solution Arrived by Resetting the Mountain Levels, Through a Large Complex Top-Platform That Opposes the Different Floor Topographic Adaptations.

Corpo

the Core Is Developed Through a North-South Longitudinal Axis, and Its Extensions Match the Topographic Construction Limits. This Buried and Sculpted Core Promotes an Underground Experience; the Outer Spaces, Subtracted from the Original Conceptual Core Are Characterized by the Texture and Colour of Their Pavements, Which Reflect the Particular Islands Skylight.

Funcional Structure

the Main Access Is Made Through a Large Ramp That Leads to a Squared-Pivot Patio, from Which All the Existing Programme Functions Are Distributed Independently, at the Top Level, but All Connected in the Lower Floors.

This Fragmented Functional Distribution, Which Aimed at a Better Independent Management of Each Module Within the Building Complex, Allowed for a More Flexible Display of Paths Running Through the Exhibition Areas.

Exhibition Areas

These Are Divided in Three Proportional Altimetric Opposite Spaces, Spread by Two Different Storeys.

Store / Bookshop

This Room Have Direct Contact to the Main Patio, and Also Works Independently from the Arts Centre; Its Strategically Placed, Not Only in the Beginning but Also at the End of the Exhibition Paths.

Workshop Rooms

These Are Physically Connected to the Exhibition Rooms, Meaning the Possibility of Use for Interactive and Pedagogic Activities That May Be Developed in Future by the Art Centre.

Library

the Library Is Divided in Three Open Storeys, Also Developed As Land-Steps: Traditional Reading Rooms, Multimedia Compartments, Backup Rooms, Book Deposit Area and Newspaper and Magazine Room, Can Be Found Spread in These Steps; the Roof-Top Access Is the Final Stop, As the Centres Belvedere.

Auditorium

the Auditorium Holds 238 Seated Places, and Is Meant for Multiple Purposes, Such As Contemporary Dance, Theatre, Concerts and Conferences, With Facilities and Proper Equipment for Movie Display, Video and Simultaneous Interpretation. the Dressing Rooms Are Located at a Lower Stage. the Preparation Areas for Scenography and Arts Are Located Near the Main Cargo Access.

Restaurant

the Restaurant Is Located in One of the Complexs Turning Point, and As All of the Other Functions in the Centre, It Works Autonomously, and Has Public Free Access. Its Fitted With 48 Inner Places, Plus Another 48 Spread over an Esplanade, With a View to the Ocean and to the Calhetas Downtown.

Administrative Services

the Administrative Services Are Located in the Old House Casa Das Mudas on Its Upper Floor. a Stairwell Access Was Created to Access the Underground Parking Lot and the Main Patio.

Materials

the Centre Was Built in Black Basalt Stone, As an Approach to the Volcanic Landscapes Nature. Being a Local and Profuse Material, Its Colour and Texture Brings Continuity and Support to the Buildings Merging in the Landscape, Thus Enhancing the Value of the Landscape and Its Nature.

(*)

This project appeared on europaconcorsi home page slideshow dedicated to portuguese architecture, online from the 13th to the 20th march 2007. The series was realized in cooperation with Luis Afonso – Arx Portugal. We thank him for his help, kindness and professional advice.

Europaconcorsi Beta

Arts Centre - Casa Das Mudas