A closer look at the winning 2016 Archiprix Portugal entry by David Monteiro

Regarded as one of the most prestigious architectural academia accolades, the yearly Archiprix Portugal recognizes outstanding Master's Thesis projects by Portuguese architecture, landscape architecture, and urbanism students.

Established in 2012, the prize aims to promote intellectual and academic diversity among Portuguese architecture and urbanism students. So, it's anyone's game for the nominated project concepts, which greatly vary.

Out of 26 nominees representing leading Portuguese architecture schools, the jury (listed at the bottom) awarded the coveted 2016 Archiprix award to “Genesis of a place towards the project — Library for Pispala” by University of Porto architecture student David Monteiro, with tutor Hélder Casal-Ribeiro of the Faculty of Architecture. Monteiro was announced as the winner during an award ceremony at the Lisbon Architecture Triennale earlier this month.

Have a look at Monteiro's winning project below.

Project description: “Pispala it is known for its lakes, for its saunas. For the potential it holds. It is important to understand the site’s influence in a way the building is taking advantage of all its qualities. Pispala area, with a substantial slope and settled in the middle of two lakes, is a terrific example of Finland’s overwhelming landscapes. It is clear, that the main goal in this project is the replication of the site’s essence into the design. In the end, this library is a key part of Pispala’s overview. A gathering point. An icon. A rock settled between two lakes.”

“The proposed building is high enough so the two lakes can be observed. As the site is occupied by a consistent number of trees the building is placed in such a way it vanishes in the middle of the wooden landscape, resembling almost a large rock in the middle of a forest. The essence for the interior spaces, as well as the final form of the building, are a consequence of these sensations that interior and exterior share.”

“Outside, the main entrance is placed in the lower level, facing the main street. The building façade, casted light-grey concrete, emphasizes the contrast between the greenish ambience of the trees and the deep blue of the lakes in the summer, thus in the winter it fades, becoming as white as the snow.”

“Light bounces into the interior spaces. Each time the building is open to the landscape, the windows define and control the degree of light and shadow within the space, creating an introspective atmosphere in a universe of wooden bookshelves. The landscape is framed in every floor. Different perspectives inhabit each window. Either it is possible to be facing a single tree as it is possible to be contemplating the general views in their entire splendor.”

Honorable Mentions:

David Delgado - Form e Quotidian | Tutor: António Pacheco | University of Lisbon - Faculty of Architecture

Miguel Cavaleiro - Water on Water | Tutor: Miguel Baptista-Bastos | University of Lisbon - Faculty of Architecture

João Tobias - Cultural Centre in Grilo | Tutor: Daniel Ferrera | Universisity of Évora - School of Arts

Sara Lopes - City and Music | Tutor: Bernardo Miranda | ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon

Mariana Barreira - A project for a path | Tutor: Marco Ginoulhiac | University of Porto - Faculty of Architecture

Laurianne Ferreira - The Old Slaughterhouse of Oporto | Tutor: Nuno Grande | University of Coimbra - School of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture

This year's jury featured: Inês Moreira, Joana Barrelas, Luís Guedes de Carvalho, Pedro Reis, and Sidónio Pardal

Additional project images in the gallery right below.