Imaginative Gradations: Custoias Civic Centre

Added : 28 Aug 2010 | Visits : 2693 | Average votes : %

Conceptual (0)
Process (0)
Design (7)
All (7)

Images
Videos

Portugal–based architect Guilherme Machado has actualised the Custoias Civic Centre in Portugal artistically manifesting geometric distortions and colour gradient to define its identity.

Replicating the formidable look of institutional buildings at the first glance, the Custoias Civic Centre by Portugal-based architect Guilherme Machado, differentiates itself owing its window-placing variance and colour expositions inside. The 760sqm spread is a vast domain encompassing space for reading, computer courses, meetings and functional rooms for exposition and theatre, with seating for 100 people over two storeys.

Profiled in a square geometry, the building rises to the height adhering to the rules and regulations of the existing buildings. The structure is meant to replace an old library and yet maintain an affinity in terms of the architectural language with the present constructions. Given this background, the essence of the building connects with the ambience only with its exterior while the design explores modern concepts inside. The storeys climb in gradations of painted grey with a randomisation of the windows stacked in a displaced manner. Custom made stainless steel windows used to blend in the smooth concrete finish illusion the space as 4 storeys instead of two.

The interiors configure two entities within itself as an intersection. Outlining its intentions to be social and cultural in context, the functions span to incorporate a multimedia zone in the first floor and a leisure zone in the ground floor. The cubist spatial movement offers articulation of elemental detailing that sets perfectly in the ambience. Discontinuing the simplistic approach of the outside, the interiors explode into a colour anthem. Colour has been used as an essential characterisation of space. The colour gradations mirror the direct influence of Mark Rothko’s paintings. The chromatic colour coding has been painted onto multifarious zones and as an additional element to the metallic stairs that wind inside the building. An expression of contrasting styles, the colour is therapeutic in nature combined with dramatic flair. Concrete floors and ceilings coalescing with stainless steel lend benefits to the materialistic interpretations of the place.

The architect ushers in a symphony of intriguing style and chromatic colour approach to provoke a cinematic movement and dynamism in the makeover of civic buildings.

Text Compilation: Maanasi Hattangadi

Photographs: courtesy Guilherme Machado

Architect’s Website: www.guilhermemachadovaz.com