The existing topography defined the position of the building: all the construction was concentrated on the south side, liberating the north side to become a platform, on a higher level, dedicated to the load and unload and circulation of heavy trucks and other service vehicles.
The cross section of the building was designed so that, despite the fact that the building is half buried, all the spaces have natural light and ventilation. The first floor is recessed in relation to the longitudinal façades, creating light wells that, on one hand, bring light to the garage; and on the other hand, liberate the main façade from the need to formalize the pragmatism of the service areas and locker room windows. The main façade is therefore an abstract plan materialized in brick, perforated in some areas, and detached from the ground and roof, allowing for light and access at the ground floor level, and clear views over the river at the top level, where the offices and canteens are located.
program: waste transfer station architecture: João Fagulha, Raquel Oliveira landscape architecture: Oficina dos Jardins engineering: David Camões, Augusto Macedo, OHM Sor, Rui Baptista-Engenharia de Edifícios, Alice Cavaco 3D images: Panoptikon client: Lisboa Ocidental SRU area: 1.697m2 location: Lisbon, Portugal year: 2020 status: ongoing