Urban Forest

Idea projektu

The core idea of the project is to create a new urban structure that introduces a more appropriate, human scale into an oversized and fragmented environment. By breaking down the large development block into smaller units, a finer urban grain is established—one that mirrors the rhythm of historic Guimarães while responding to contemporary needs. Streets and public spaces are reimagined with minimal, strategic interventions aimed at softening their character and inviting new uses, without resorting to complete reconstruction. The transformation relies on enhancing the everyday experience through street furniture, greenery, and adjusted traffic patterns that prioritize people over vehicles. Within the housing blocks, the architectural approach continues this logic: apartments are designed to gradually transition from public to private, using elements like porches, front gardens, and balconies. These layers foster interaction, support a sense of community, and dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, between individual and collective life.

Popis projektu

The project is situated near the historic center of Guimarães, in a formerly industrialized area currently defined by urban voids and car-dominated infrastructure. Originally a green space intended for development, the site remained unused after construction was halted, resulting in a disconnected, large-scale environment with little identity. The design aims to transform this area into a human-scaled, vibrant urban fabric that reconnects with the city. Inspired by the compact structure of the historical center, the intervention subdivides the large block into smaller, pedestrian-oriented communities. These new public and semi-public spaces foster intimacy, safety, and social interaction while enhancing mobility by supporting horizontal, contour-following connections.

Technické informácie

The street network is retained but humanized using simple additions such as furniture, mobile greenery, and redesigned traffic flows, allowing phased implementation. Roads are one-way and primarily for residents, with selected parking for services and immobile users. Buildings respond to elevation changes through their scale and placement, utilizing stepped forms and traditional walls to manage terrain. The block's interior features permeable surfaces for play, outdoor saunas, and pavilions. Architecturally, the design emphasizes active ground floors, porches, balconies, and front gardens to extend the living space outdoors, creating a seamless flow from public to private zones while fostering neighborhood-scale interaction.