Construir a confiança através do espaço arquitectónico

Abstract

This design work focuses on three main lines of analysis, articulating the complex notions of city, society and architecture. The main objective is to discuss the interaction and interdependence of these thematic, particularly within the context of accessibility, ways of living and aging in Twenty- First Century, materializing this discussion on a proposal for a concrete site and program. Considering as starting point the cityscape, which is assumed to be a living organism, heterogeneous, plural and in constant changing, we try to understand how society, also diverse, in permanent mutation and containing a mosaic of different individuals, experience, understand and live it. It is architecture that connects the city to society, the spaces to what individuals expect of them. What characteristics then, should space design have to lead architectural form to the safe, confident, enjoyable presence of individuals? This is the main question that structures and organizes the work presented here. After explicating the theoretical assumptions and analysing the place of intervention, the proposal is materialized. It translates in practice and at all scales, from the urban site to the building, the knowledge conveyed by the lines of theory previously presented. The act of designing offers a response to a real problem of the city, building and society, proceeding to a social and urban regeneration in search of an ethical architecture. Only thus it is possible to build an accessible space with quality, which can be experienced, understood and lived in its fullness, a space of all and for all. In essence, taking one step towards the ideal city and space.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	António da Silva Ferreira de Carvalho (Supervisor), Gonçalo de Sousa Byrne (Co-Supervisor) & Carina Gisela Sousa Gomes (Co-Supervisor)