When I first visited Cape Espichel, I was struck by the sight of gentle clouds billowing slightly overhead, at the same time blurring the silhouette of the sanctuary, whose winding towers jutted toward the sky. The shadows of the clouds galloped this over the patched soil the color of burnt syene, this over the walls and roofs of the buildings, which are as far from perfection as they are close to man and his weaknesses.
The project "On the Edge. Expansion and adaptation of the Sanctuary and Pilgrim House into a Place of Serenity. Cape Espichel. Portugal" is a response to the accelerating pace of life and the constant flow of information while neglecting what is the essence of man's being. The author of the work proposes to create a Place of Tranquility for people on the verge of physical or, more importantly, emotional exhaustion.
whole premise - axonometry
© Michalina Frątczak
The work addresses various issues concerning the adaptation of a 15th-century complex of historic buildings falling into disrepair and the introduction of a new building into the existing fabric in a way that does not disturb the identity of the place. Only such means of architectural expression were used that emphasize the austerity and asceticism of the idea.
silence, light, shadow, edge, breath, boundlessness
These are a set of concepts that guided the project both in the initial phase and in the later stages of the work, to appear in the architectural detail at the end.
The work addresses such design and preservationissues as the adaptation of the ruin into a reception area and office space, the restoration of the Pilgrim House, the adaptation and expansion of the Opera House, and the implantation of a new building to house a library, restaurant, workshop room and "bath house." The analysis shows that the above selection of functions would enable the sanctuary to maintain its financial equilibrium, while fitting in with the character of the place.
Pilgrim's House, 3D cross-section
© Michalina Frątczak
From the outset, the main design consideration was minimal interference with the existing building and its surroundings. The site determined the approach with which the project was created.
Adaptation of the ruin into a reception area
The building was designed as a kind of homing gate to the proposed compositional axis of the establishment, at the end of which new volumes were introduced. The building was designed along the inner contour of the existing ruins. This procedure was intended to emphasize the existing crowns of the walls by introducing a very simple and monolithic form.
restoration of the Pilgrim House
The Pilgrim's House was divided into sections: minimum unit (solitary, cells); family dwelling; dormitory.
Pilgrim's House, projections
© Michalina Frątczak
In rooms with limited daylight, an open-space solution was proposed, with specially designed sliding modules performing the sleeping function.
Ruins of the Opera House
It was proposed to restore the building to its former function - a concert hall. In accordance with the main concept of the premise - light-painted architecture - the designed canopy introduces the effect of a light well, thanks to which the rays play on the opera house stage. It was necessary to design a serving space.
Opera House - newly designed canopy and skylight highlighting the structure of the existing stone walls
© Michalina Frątczak
garden in the ruins
The garden is an integral part of the informal stone tract leading through the entire establishment. The project proposes to place viewing platforms at different heights to create places conducive to relaxation and admire the panorama spreading from them. The garden focuses on the idea of transience and its acceptance.
The garden in the ruins focuses on the idea of passing and its acceptance
© Michalina Frątczak
newly designed building: restaurant, library, workshop room
The building was inscribed into a six-meter slope so as not to disturb the foreground of the sanctuary's composition. Important to him is the play of light and shadow that emphasizes the clean form of the building and the texture of the materials used. The glass façade with its system of rotating panels dematerializes the boundary between inside and outside. Many technical solutions imperceptibly bring the building into the 21st century.
new building, restaurant
© Michalina Frątczak
newly designed building: "bath house"
To the south of the library a "bathing room" was located, which serves a therapeutic function. It is a series of water basins with different properties, embedded in the surrounding landscape. The western exposure is conducive to moments of reverie at the end of the day. A pedestrian bridge is proposed on the north-south axis connecting the sanctuary with the nearby lighthouse to complete the spatial composition and strengthen the sanctuary-lighthouserelationship.
The view from the water basin conducive to contemplation at the end of the day
© Michalina Frątczak
sustainable architecture
The project was developed in direct relationship with the surrounding nature. It determined many of the solutions used, such as the use of wind energy in the tunnel wind turbine system. Flora, very important in this project, was also analyzed. The proposed materials are mostly natural, locally produced, such as cork, whose mixture with acrylic resin was proposed as insulation for the buildings.
Michalina FRĄTCZAK
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