ARX portugal completes timber costa nova social and cultural center

negotiating both an urban context and seaside environment, the ARX portugal-designed costa nova social and cultural center provides for a multi-functional space that serves the beach-side community south of porto, portugal. the project, commissioned by the state, transitions visitors from an urban context into the beach which is currently visually disconnected from the former. adopting the traditional timber palheiro construction, the entire structure is built of wood and jointed using local methods, offering a new health care center, social center, and a show room for exhibitions and other public events in the community.

the entrance features a projecting shard of wood next to a sloping pathway to the roof
image © FG+SG fotografia de arquitectura (also first image)

the design is conceived not as a standalone building but rather as a transitional threshold between concrete and sand, bringing locals from the city to the beach while providing needed communal spaces. the envelope begins street-side as a one-story construction of charred wood cladding over a white-painted frame structure. gradual sloped pathways cut through the building like shards of glass up to the rooftop that allow panoramic views of the ocean, leaving behind sharp-angled structures projecting above the ground at the entrance.

at beach side, two-story volumes expressed by exposed structure and glass fronts reflect the ocean-side landscape
image © FG+SG fotografia de arquitectura

an all-white interior defining both timber structure and concrete floor keeps with local design helping to reflect natural light from the glass-ended walls into the deep linear spaces. deep laminated transverse beams leaves large ground space allowing the flexibility for hosting any event. at each moment in the structure, the construction and cladding are left exposed and honest, each element standing individually yet acting in unison with the entire composition. the gentle slopes and angles suggest movement and transition, a contemporary interpretation manifested through traditional means.