奥雷姆城堡丨葡萄牙丨Joao Mendes Ribeiro

Architect：Joao Mendes Ribeiro

Location：2490-481 Ourém, Portugal; | ;View Map

Project Year：2021

Category：Exhibition Centres;Auditoriums;Cultural Centres

The Paço dos Condes de Ourém, located in the medieval town of Ourém, together with Ourém Castle (12th century), is part of a listed architectural ensemble (classified as a National Monument since 1910). It was built in the 15th century by D. Afonso, the 4th Count of Ourém, to be his official residence.

The intervention in the Paço dos Condes de Ourém consisted in the rehabilitation and restoration of the building that was in a state of abandon and ruins, without roof, floors, stairs and window frames. It was based on the principle of minimal impact and on conservation works that involved the repair of materials and deteriorated elements, as well as the introduction of construction systems in accordance with the reconstruction and restoration works carried out by the Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (DGEMN) in the 1930s and 1940s. 

Based on the evidence of two levels above the entrance and three levels above the basement to the west, new floors in chestnut wood were laid. To support the new raised floors, wooden beams reused the existing negatives on the wall and the existing stone corbels.

The remaining interventions consisted in the closing of openings with brass and single glass frames, the replacement of the roof of the Palace and the introduction of new technical infrastructures.

A slim brass profile, concealed from the outside, was used to accentuate the facade openings as "holes" and to emphasize the ruin. The new roof of the Palace, in zinc staple joint, was placed over the chestnut wood lining and the new beams, supported on the existing stone corbels. The roof conducts rainwater to new cast bronze gargoyles, which project directly onto the zinc clad balcony.

Regarding the programme, the entrance space functions as reception and distribution for two exhibition spaces to the east, a cloakroom to the south and a multi-purpose room to the west. The access to the storage room under the multipurpose room is conditioned and is done through a hidden staircase under a trapdoor. The access to the first floor, where there is an exhibition room, is ensured by a new wooden staircase. The space on the first floor is double height and the level of its floor is related to the level of the converse window, thus recreating the floor level that is presumed to have existed.

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