Municipal Market 改造丨葡萄牙丨RAS·A

2024/11/22 10:04:25

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Architect：RAS·A

Location：Fornos de Algodres, Portugal; | ;View Map

Project Year：2024

Category：Shops

The Municipal Market of Fornos de Algodres (1902) is a historic building that has played a central role in the life of the community over the decades. It underwent interventions in the 1930s and 1990s. In addition to its primary function as a market, the space evolved to become a gathering point for events of various kinds, such as fairs, exhibitions, and concerts, taking advantage of its central location and size.

The 1990s intervention aimed to improve the functionality of the market through several measures, the main one being the creation of multiple metal lattice roofs at different levels, designed to offer expanded shelter from the square for its users, as well as the requalification of the pavement and the closure of shops with PVC window frames.

However, the intervention did not meet the emerging needs of the community, proving inadequate especially during the autumn and winter months, when the region's harsh weather conditions made its use difficult. The roof system did not adequately protect against wind and rain, and the layout of the shops did not allow for a fluid relationship between traders and visitors. The use of the building also became an introverted experience, as it did not establish meaningful connections with its immediate surroundings— the town— nor with the striking landscape of the Serra da Estrela. Furthermore, when not in use, the market remained closed to the public, wasting its potential as a space for community appropriation.

The brief called for the creation of a sheltered and flexible multipurpose space, the reconfiguration of the shops, and the requalification of the public space.

Given the low budget available for such a large area (~255€/m²), the project adopted an approach focused on the essentials. Flexibility in the use of the market was a priority, which translated into targeted interventions that removed physical and visual barriers. The design approach was based on the removal of unnecessary or limiting elements as a creative act.

This resource economy formed the basis of a strategy for reusing the existing structure and integrating new construction elements, which presented significant challenges in reconciling the old with the new. It was necessary to address metric constraints, the condition of the original materials, and adaptation to regulatory requirements. Additionally, sanitation, stormwater, and electrical infrastructure were also partially reused.

Beyond functional improvements, there was also a concern with restoring the original characteristics of the building that had been lost or hidden over time. Particular attention was given to the building’s reminiscence as a "boulevard," a reference to its role as a central public space in the life of the town.

This rehabilitation seeks to preserve the historical character of the building while adapting it to current needs, promoting the flexibility of use and integration with the surrounding urban and natural landscape. The permeability to the urban space not only reactivates its role as a commercial hub but also transforms it into a space available to the community at any time of the year, regardless of its formal use. This reappropriation of public space is crucial for the market to become a meeting point once again, reinforcing the town’s identity and promoting interaction among its inhabitants.