AFONSOGONÇALVES
ARCHITECTURE | DESIGN | VISUALIZATION
BARN CONVERSION CONCEPT (Work in Progress)
2015 - Present
This project was a small exercise I set for myself about how a small barn-like structure could be converted into a small living house for a single person or a couple. I decided to create a clear contrast between the existing structure - painted red - and the proposed intervention - painted black - but using the same materials all around. The black proposed body intersects the existing one and is used as a transition element between spaces and allows access to the bathroom at one end, the deck to one side and the large open-space living area on the other. This body also creates a mezzanine inside where a small study/work area and a bedroom are located.
Due to the natural characteristics that I wanted for the site I also took this opportunity to experiment with the use of game engines - Unity3D in this case, to model some of the terrain features, such as trees, water and hills and their textures, and to generate an interactive model through which a person could navigate and get a real-time feel of the project and have an augmented reality experience.
MODULAR SHELTER
2015
This project explores the design of small/medium sized dwellings or shelters as a possible and effective solution for shelter shortages that usually follows in the wake of a natural disaster.
the shelters here proposed are based on a modular system composed of a timber portico structure to which panels can be easily added or removed. All components are treated as individual and prefabricated elements that can be easily packed, shipped and assembled. The intention was to design a flexible and functional program based on the "do it yourself" model.
The portal frame results from the modular coordination between beams and pillars, (both with a 16x16 cm section), designed to form a modular structure with a minimum and maximum span of 192 cm and 272 cm respectively. Hence, the structural beams have two dimensions that limit the size of the modular system. The beams connect to the pillars through means of concealed fittings that are of easy access to allow the structure and modules to be changed at any give time. The combination of these elements it is possible to obtain three different structural modules of 192x192x257 cm, 192x272x257 cm and 272x272x257 cm.
The vertical and horizontal panels don't serve a structural purpose and as such can be placed and removed easily at any given time depending on the user's desire and needs. The vertical panels are grouped in different categories depending on what function they serve in the system. There are exterior and interior opaque panels, doors and windows panels and lattice panels, some of them with different variations. The combination of these elements also allows several different facades and inner space configurations. The horizontal panels are grouped in floor panels, with two variants, and ceiling panels. The sloped roof is seen as an individual element mounted over the main structure. Although a separate structure, the roof is still dependent on the primary modular system. Its structure is based on the principles of traditional construction and materialized through prefabricated modular structural struts and stubs that rest directly on top pf the pillars.
The possibility to change the structure and modules was a determinant premise to this project since it is predictable that in some cases these shelters, which are thought to act as immediate and temporary dwellings, may in time acquire a more permanent nature if the occupants decided they wish to turn these shelters into a permanent home. In that case, additional modules can be added to enhance the basic shelter and increase its comfort and space.
2014
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IN VALE DE CAMBRA
Vale de Cambra, Portugal
Another residential project developed at Arquigrupo for a single family house but this time a completely new build. The house is composed of two volumes for the living and private areas and basement and storage/technical areas on the lower level. The house revolves around a central courtyard which helps flood the interior with natural light.
This was my last project while working at Arquigrupo and my tasks didn't wander much from doing 3D and imagery work although I also contributed with some design ideas.
2014
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE VILA NOVA DE GAIA
Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
At Arquigrupo I collaborated on this residential project for the refurbishment and extension of a single family farm house in Vila Nova de Gaia. In the existing volume we kept the storage area on the ground floor and placed the private rooms on the upper floor. The proposed extension accommodates a large open-space kitchen and living/dining area with direct access to the basement and parking.
For this project my responsibilities ranged from drafting to 3D modelling, including detailing and scheduling all the carpentry and ironmongery elements as well as drafting facade and bathroom details.
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IN BARROCAL
2009
Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal
Sheltered by the rock formations and vegetation, the floor plan develops along an “L” shape, along a corridor that functions as the supporting spine of the entire proposal and which allows access to all its spaces. The house is divided into two separate volumes: the first one where the private areas are located (bedrooms) and a second one where we find the living areas, namely the living and dining rooms, kitchen and office / library.
Through traditional materials and formal discourse of the construction it was intended to provide a sense of tranquility, privacy, serenity and silence. The predominant combination of materials are the smooth concrete floors and the white rendered walls, occasionally interrupted my granite masonry walls. All furniture, door and window frames are made from oak timber due to its texture and color which combines very well with the surrounding materials.
Inside, light is the great protagonist, flooding the interior spaces in vast quantities through large openings that go from the floor to the ceiling. Outside, very few details distract the attention from surrounding beauty, reigned by towering granite formations that rise from the ground on a par with the oaks and olive groves. It was thus sought beauty in simplicity in order to allow a house harmoniously combined with the landscape of great simplicity instead of interfering with it
SOCIAL HOUSING IN CHELAS
2009
Lisbon, Portugal
In the center of Lisbon, a hinge and transition area between Areeiro and Olaias, it’s located a small valley with steep slopes and with a privileged relationship with the river, the Bela Vista Park and the Afonso Costa Avenue and with a strong presence of the railway line. The programmatic content consisted of a housing project for this site, seeking a way to articulate this valley with the surrounding area and to also explore the opportunity to regenerate a section of the city mostly marked by social housing.
The ordering principle of the proposal followed a principle of strict relation with both the built environment that flanks the site to the south and the slopes of the valley to the north and west, seeking, whenever possible, to favor certain points of view and to maintain, with the neighboring buildings, good relations of height, size, continuity and alignment. In addition to the proposed buildings it was also sought to provide the site with large public spaces and commercial areas that are scarce at this location.
In formal terms, the project consists of four pairs of buildings, placed on the east slope of the valley in order to give continuity to the existing buildings on this site. The set of eight buildings presents three different typologies with respect to its shape, size and type of housing units. Although different, they all have a similar organization and formal language