valdemar coutinho completes sports complex in portugal with cantilevered entrance

in viana do castelo, a coastal town in the north of portugal, architect valdemar coutinho has completed a sports complex titled the ‘atlantic pavilion’. externally, the project is defined by a dramatic structure at the corner of the plot, which cantilevers above the entrance. photographed here by joão morgado, the building’s somewhat brutalist appearance was partially a result of tight budget constraints, which became a challenge for the design team.

all images by joão morgado

the brief from the local council called for a public complex that would serve the local community by providing a range of sports facilities. in response, valdemar coutinho architects devised a building that occupied almost the entirety of the site. a 650 square meter area (approx. 7,000 sqf), with a ceiling height of 7.5 meters (25 feet), is provided for basketball and volleyball, while four separate changing rooms are also included.

the project is defined by a dramatic structure at the corner of the plot

meanwhile, the main entrance provides room for up to 80 people to wait before entering the arena. a reception area is joined by a cafeteria, restrooms, and a technical support area. inside the entrance artist mário rocha has created various panels of grey embossed tiles, which allude to the crustaceans and algae of the nearby beaches. externally, the cool grey tones of grey concrete and stone reference the nearby ocean.

the upper level cantilevers above the entrance

 a 650 square meter playing area (approx. 7,000 sqf) is provided

the facility primarily hosts basketball and volleyball

various panels of grey embossed tiles allude to the crustaceans and algae of the nearby beaches

the building’s somewhat brutalist appearance was partially a result of tight budget constraints

the brief called for a public complex that would serve the local community

the venue is prominently sited on a corner plot

the building occupies almost the entirety of the site