‘center for interpretation of jewish culture isaac cardoso’ by gonçalo byrne and josé laranjeira, trancoso, portugal
image © fernando guerra
all images courtesy of jose laranjeira

 

 

 

portuguese architects gonçalo byrne and josé laranjeira have recently opened the ‘center for interpretation of jewish culture isaac cardoso’ in the jewish quarter of trancoso, portugal. the previously derelict small site has been transformed into one of the primary centers for jewish culture in the region. the reinforced concrete column and slab construction is infilled with brick masonry and clad in granite slabs, giving the impression of a solid stone mass filling the entire footprint of the site. the interior on the other hand features stark white plaster board walls and reflective wood floors. at the center of the structure the ‘master pit’ elevates the experience with a tall space lined with vertical wooden slats and symbolism. the ceiling over this area is composed of extruded geometries with skylights that filter into the space below filling it with a constant soft gold light. the sacred space is marked by a unique texture, smell, form, and light quality.

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture
image © fernando guerra

 

 

 

byrne and laranjeira: center of jewish culture

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byrne and laranjeira: center for interpretation of jewish culture isaac cardoso
 

 

 

project info:

 

 

location: trancoso, portugal
client: paceteg, s.a.
project year: 2006-2012
project area: 500,00 sqm
architects: arch. gonçalo byrne (gonçalo byrne arquitectos, lda.) www.byrnearq.com
arch. josé laranjeira (oficina ideias em linha – arquitectura e design, lda.) www.oil-arq.com
project team: doriana reino, ana abrantes, arq.º tiago oliveira
structural engineer: eng.º rui furtado (afaconsult,lda)
water, drainage and fire network project: eng.ª susana miranda (afaconsult,lda)
electrical and telecommunication installations project: eng.º luis oliveira (afaconsult,lda)
integrated safety planning project: eng.º luís oliveira (afaconsult, lda)
energy certification: eng.ª maria luisa paz do vale (afaconsult,lda)
acoustic: eng.ª joana ferreira (afaconsult,lda)
measurements and budgets: fidélio santana
contractor: mrg
site coordination & construction supervision: município de trancoso – eng.º victor silva