Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos

Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - TableCasa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Image 3 of 46Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Brick, ArchCasa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Stairs, Windows, Facade, HandrailCasa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - More Images+ 41

Text description provided by the architects. This project involves remodelling the old Thermal Centre of University of Coimbra Hospital and constructing a new building. It was developed at the end of 1990s to house the Photographic Study Centre of the University of Coimbra.

Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Stairs, Windows, Facade, Handrail
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

The work was completed about ten years later and the building handed over to the Faculty of Arts to serve as the premises for post-graduate courses in Art Studies. Despite the fact that the use and programme of the building had been altered the core characteristics of the project were maintained in full. The project led to requalification of the existing building, on the one hand enhancing it within its historical context of industrial archaeology and, on the other, clarifying its integration in the town structure.

Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Handrail
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

The actual remodelling of the building involved minimal intervention and consisted in restoring the building, maintaining the structural machinery of the boilers and creating suitable air-conditioning and lighting systems for the new programme: cafeteria and art bookshop. The new building was designed in a deliberately neutral language to hightlight the main Casa das Caldeiras building and it was made in apparent concrete. It rises vertically in three square sectioned spaces of varying heights and combinations.

Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Image 12 of 46
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

The basis of its design is the configuration and volume of the old “coat room”.

Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos - Windows, Facade, Arch, Arcade
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

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Project location

Address:UC-Faculdade de Economia, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Casa das Caldeiras / João Mendes Ribeiro + Menos é Mais Arquitectos" 07 Jun 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/62876/casa-das-caldeiras-joao-mendes-ribeiro-e-cristina-guedes> ISSN 0719-8884

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