Igreja Velha Palace, Vermoim, northern Portugal commercial real estate, Portuguese Restaurant Building, Architecture Images
Igreja Velha Palace in Vermoim, northern Portugal
27 January 2024
Architecture: VISIOARQ ARQUITECTOS
Location: Vermoim, northern Portugal
Architectural photographer: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Igreja Velha Palace, Portugal
Igreja Velha Palace: the metallic granary of the 21st Century
Built in 1881 in Vermoim, the Palácio da Igreja Velha was for decades the residence of a significant rural estate, featuring a Baroque style with two castle-like towers and a Neo-Gothic chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.
The intervention by Visioarq enhanced the ensemble through the restoration of its volumetric and spatial aspects, repairing degraded structural elements, and addressing the asymmetries created throughout its history. The newly built event space was also successfully achieved. This new volume emerges embraced by the adjoining elements of the old structure, respecting alignments, reinforcing the pedestrian axis that traverses the centre of the palace, and culminating in a projecting console volume, which serves as the reception for visitors.
The interplay between old and new was asserted through a blend of local and contemporary materials with original construction techniques, maintaining a chromatic and volumetric harmony within the landscape. Corten steel, granite, wood, and concrete bring to life the concept inspired by the ancient granaries of the region.
The connection between interior and exterior was emphasized through large glass panels, without compromising the energy efficiency of the building.
It’s within this context that the wooden slats were introduced – reminiscent of the traditional regional granaries – as well as the asymmetric canopy spanning two planes, which marks the entrance of the event building, in a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
In the exterior landscaping, the existing variety of vegetation was capitalized upon, delineating pathways and plazas with granite stone, showcasing a contemplative approach to the surrounding landscape.
The project won the Architizer A+Awards in 2017, in the category Popular Winner Architecture + Metal, as well as the Januário Godinho Award in 2018. It was also nominated for the WAN Awards, Metal | Shortlist in 2015.
Portuguese:
Igreja Velha Palace: o espigueiro metálico do séc. XXI
Edificado em 1881 em Vermoim, o Palácio da Igreja Velha foi durante décadas a residência de uma importante propriedade rural, ao estilo barroco com duas torres acasteladas e a capela S. Francisco de Assis, neogótica.
A intervenção da Visioarq valorizou o conjunto pela recuperação volumétrico-espacial, da reparação dos elementos construtivos degradados e das assimetrias criadas ao longo da sua história. O novo volume edificado para eventos foi também um objectivo cumprido. Este nasce abraçado pelos elementos confinantes da antiga estrutura, respeitando alinhamentos, reforçando o eixo pedonal que atravessa o centro do palácio e terminando num volume saliente em consola, que serve de recepção aos visitantes.
O contraponto antigo/novo afirmou-se pela mistura entre materiais da região e outros actuais com processos construtivos originais, mantendo uma harmonia cromática e volumétrica na paisagem. O aço corten, o granito, a madeira e o betão dão corpo ao conceito inspirado nos antigos espigueiros da região.
A relação interior/exterior afirmou-se pelos grandes envidraçados, sem comprometer a eficiência energética do edifício. É neste âmbito que se introduziu o ripado em madeira – evocando os espigueiros da região – assim como a pala assimétrica em dois planos, que demarca a entrada do edifício de eventos, numa transição feliz entre o interior/exterior.
Nos arranjos exteriores capitalizou-se a diversidade de vegetação existente, demarcando percursos e praças em pedra de granito, numa atitude contemplativa da paisagem circundante.
A obra venceu o Architizer A+Awards – 2017, na categoria Popular Winner Architecture + Metal e o Prémio Januário Godinho– 2018; foi ainda nomeada para os WAN Awards, Metal| Short list – 2015.
Igreja Velha Palace: Vermoim, northern Portugal – Building Information
Architecture: VISIOARQ ARQUITECTOS – https://visioarq.pt/
Photography of the work: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Igreja Velha Palace, Vermoim, northern Portugal images / information received 270124
Location: Vermoim, northern Portugal, southwestern Europe
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