Barreiro College of Technology

The site assigned for the School is located in the outskirts of the city of Barreiro. The location had at one end a dense forest of cork and large pine trees. There are some projects that cause a public reaction even before its existence, with a great deal of important matters to consider. This school is such an example. The inhabitants of this neighbourhood protested because they wanted a primary school instead – which was transferred elsewhere –, and because they feared the impact a building of large proportions would have, both visually and ecologically. Fearing that the trees would be cut down, they counted and marked every single one. So we gave the building an ambiguous character. On one hand it "dissipates" and accepts the prevalence of the natural elements, on the other hand it deals with their presence as an artificial element of abstract origin. This principle is highlighted by the constructive choices: big coal-grey block that, when sectioned, reveals a white interior.