FAUP IV - Student Residence in Porto
- Location: Eirinhas, Porto
- Year project: 2019/2020
- Type: Academic project
- Program: Student residence
- Year project: 2019/2020
- Type: Academic project
- Program: Student residence
This is an academic project from my fourth year at the University of Porto. The challenge was to incorporate a student residence program on a site with a considerable slope. The project included not only student rooms and apartments but also collective spaces such as a café, gym, common room/study area, and other shared facilities.
To begin, an analysis was conducted of what previously existed on the proposed site. It was discovered that the location once housed “ilhas” (Porto’s islands), underprivileged neighborhoods that addressed the severe housing problems caused by the large migratory influxes to the city. Later, these neighborhoods were demolished to improve the city's sanitation.
These communities once generated an urban and social dynamic within the city, and this inspired me to create a similar environment. To achieve this, I considered a gallery-access building to be the best option.
Using "residential bars" as a guiding principle, I developed a design where the public areas of the building would stand as exceptions to the rule, while still preserving the rustic, traditional character of the place.
