Polytechnic Institute of Beja, Portugal Higher Education Institution Building, Portuguese Architecture Photos

Polytechnic Institute of Beja School of Technology

Contemporary Portuguese Higher Education Building design by Nuno Montenegro Architect

28 Mar 2016

Design: Nuno Montenegro Arquitecto Lda

Location: Beja, Portugal

School of Technology Polytechnic Institute of Beja Building

DESIGN NAME:
School of Technology

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Higher Education Institution

Photos by Fernando Guerra FG+SG

Instituto Politécnico de Beja – School of Technology Polytechnic Institute of Beja

INSPIRATION:
The portico structure arises from the combination of the two programmatic requirements. The need to create a corporate iconic image, and the inclusion of a set of amphitheatres.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The key feature of this building is the massive portico that floats over the school gardens. The result is achieved in one of the largest concrete structures in the world.

OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:
“From symbolism to contextuality and functionality, Montenegro’s submission to the European Union-sponsored competition for the project won in every category. A jury of mainly Portuguese architects was clearly smitten by a solution so pleasing to the senses while acknowledging the economic realities of a nation “relying on rather scarce resources.” CC Sullivan DM

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:
The project started in 2003 and finished in 2013. The School is located in the Campus of the Polytechnic Institute of Beja.

FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY:
Architecture, Building and Structure Design

PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:
The large portico, over 50 meters long, was constructed using advanced prestressing techniques applied to reinforced concrete structure.

SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
The building spreads over 16,000 square meters.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT:
“Clashing ideals come together visibly in the building that Montenegro’s designed. The School of Technology owes its powerful exterior presence to clean lines and rigorous simplicity. The thick white walls and small windows furthermore reflect the climate in the southern part of the country and recalls the rural vernacular. Inside, meanwhile, the obsessive whiteness continues, while idiosyncratic flourishes keep students on their toes.” CC Sullivan DM.

CHALLENGE:
“As Montenegro explains, the message is: Learn by perception. “Architecture communicates its ratios, dimensions, colors, textures, and symbols to produce a world in balance,” he says. “Someday, if someone remembers a special detail of a stair, then I have done my job.” CC Sullivan DM

TEAM MEMBERS:
Design director and team coordinator: Nuno Montenegro, Collaborator architects: Carla Cameira, Susana Ataíde, Mariana Medeiros, Pedro Carvalho and Rute Ribeiro

IMAGE CREDITS:
Fernando Guerra FG+SG Architectural Photography

PROFILE:
The Polytechnical Institute of Beja (Instituto Politécnico de Beja) is a state-run polytechnic institute of higher education, comprising several schools. It is located in Beja, on the south region of Alentejo, Portugal. It was established in 1979 and has about 3,500 students (as of 2007).
Visit the following page to learn more: http://www.montenegroandpartners.com/

AWARD DETAILS
Winner – School of Technology Higher Education Institution by Nuno Montenegro is Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Category, 2013 – 2014.

The Polytechnical Institute of Beja is a state-run polytechnic institute of higher education, comprising several schools. It is located in Beja, on the south region of Alentejo, Portugal. It was established in 1979 and has about 3,500 students. Wikipedia

Website: Nuno Montenegro Arquitecto Lda.

Location: Polytechnic Institute of Beja, Portugal, southwestern Europe