Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre
Lago de Furnas, San Miguel, Azores, Portugal 2008 2010
This proposal provides continuity to the project ideas set out in the preliminary study of the auxiliary buildings: archetypal volumes clad with local basalt bring to mind the island's cultural heritage and its architectural landscape. While the auxiliary buildings have characteristically sporadic, short-term visits, the Interpretation Centre and the Temporary Residences are in permanent use, a feature reflected in the architectural design of this proposal and at the same time, in the interior skin of the buildings.
The buildings are constructed using a reinforced concrete structure with solid wood cladding in the main areas. The auxiliary spaces &mdashsanitary facilities, kitchens, storerooms&mdash act as a boundary for the main zones. Plasterboard cladding is used here on the walls and ceilings, with stone used for paving, differentiated from the main spaces by this type of finish and also by the smaller dimensions.