nuno piedade alexandre projects rooms outward to form elderly care center in portugal

nuno piedade alexandre has designed an elderly care center in portugal‘s ponte de sor. the brief challenged the architect to develop a building in connection with the existing complex, providing the much needed extra bedrooms while ensuring the well-being of the patients as a priority. the resulting program includes ten double rooms and four individual rooms, all equipped with private facilities. 

images © joão morgado

the design by the architect results in a program that utilizes the minimum space for the required functions in order to fit within the area of land available and maintain a connection to the existing building. the concept is based on this principal and aims to provide a very user-focused experience. the volume dematerializes itself through the projection of rooms outward, distorting the main façade and forming a special sculptural moment that creates an eye-catching landmark for the town.

the internal rooms aim to capture as much of the outdoor landscape as possible, therefore, the protrusions on the façade are designed to large dimensions (3.5/4.5m) in order to bring in vast amounts of daylight. the resulting geometry of the design therefore defines the image of the building. the scale also aims to establish a relationship with the surrounding trees and create a distinction within the urban landscape. the concept by nuno piedade alexandre results in a functional program that prioritises the needs of the users.

project info:

program: elderly care center

location: ponte de sor, portugal

architect: nuno piedade alexandre

collaboration: susana castelo, nídia brígido, vasco tomás

structural: rogério alves

other expertise: josé duarte, gonçalo santos, hélder formiga

photography: joão morgado

drawings: courtesy of nuno piedade alexandre

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