Colour Coordinates

By Marina Correa

Photography: invisiblegentleman.com

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CVDB Arquitectos’ simplistic use of exposed concrete along with bright splashes of colour deftly articulate spaces and functions at the Braamcamp Freire Secondary School in Lisbon, Portugal – doing complete justice to the objective of the Portuguese government’s ‘Modernization of Secondary Schools Programme’…

Originally built in 1986, the structure consisted of 5 standardized prefabricated pavilions – a one-storied central block and four two-storied pavilions, organized along an east-west axis, connected by covered walkways. The existing school also included a gym and playground at a lower level - very disconnected from the buildings.

 

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In order to restructure this dispersed pavilion typology into one cohesive building, the architects thought of connecting all the pavilions through a series of punctured concrete walls that snake their way like a ‘learning street’ and offer informal learning opportunities.

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Structured around the central learning space is a ‘learning square’, which enhances the students freedom to share, discuss and debate ideas and conversations, while forging a strong relationship with the existing natural landscape and topography.

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The façades are essentially constituted in exposed in-situ concrete and prefabricated concrete elements, to minimise maintenance costs, while the concrete panels are designed to respond suitably to each façade’s solar orientation. Also, the grey walls juxtaposed against bubbles of colourful social spaces manage to strike a right balance without being too flashy or too mundane.

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Timber studs and acoustic panels line the multi-purpose hall, while a broad, singular, circulation wall is made up of multiple blue chunks, which not only augment the design quotient, but are actually concrete acoustic blocks that shut out echoes.

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Finally, for the interior spaces, adequate resistant materials were chosen for intensive use and low maintenance costs – making it an admirable redevelopment project apt for a school’s budget.