Architects: Oficina Ideias em Linha – José Laranjeira Location: Estremoz, Portugal Project area: 13,000 sqm Project year: 2007 – 2010 Photographs: Francisco Nogueira
Originally built during the 60’s as a Technical School (Escola Industrial e Comercial de Estremoz), the complex was recently upgraded into a Secondary School with a larger capacity that will be able to house about 1.000 students.
The project was developed under the brief and supervision of Parque Escolar, which promoted a remodelling and updating program on a significant number of secondary schools all over the country.
The premises were to provide new functional areas such as classrooms, convivial and management facilities supported by new technological means, attending to the possibilities given by the school’s original structure as well as an adequated urban insertion.
The main building’s (Unit A) original structure was kept on the first and second floors, preserving a central corridor and double wing system, housing classrooms in a more rationalized display, which will allow an optimal spatial performance and usage cycle between activities.
The secretarial and management areas, as well as the library / resource center were installed on the lower floor.
The old workshops on the eastern side of the complex (Unit B) were remodelled in order to accommodate the arts room and a small theatre that will benefit from the unique roof lighting system.
The workshops on the western side were demolished, giving place to the new electrotechnical and electromechanical facilities, as well as the refectory and convivial areas, all located on the lower floor.
The first floor will accommodate the larger laboratories.
The old gymnasium and auditorium were maintained and complemented by health-resort facilities on the lower floor (Unit C).
A multifunctional sports unit was also built, connecting to the overall areas of the complex.
All the outdoor spaces were remodelled and a new green area was placed in order to be accessible both from exterior and interior, from the school’s social areas and refectory.
The connectivity between the several units that build the complex is done through a covered pedestrian network, assuring full and comfortable accessibility to the whole complex.
