Residential, Commercial, and Services Development in the center of Gaia
- Residential
- R. Conselheiro Veloso da Cruz, V. N. de Gaia, 2000/2006
- {"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"com Hélder Sousa, Luís Lima, Pedro Bastos, Cristina Loureiro"}]}]}
- Photography: {"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"JMF"}]}]}
The residential, commercial, and service development in Quinta do Choupelo is a project that fits into the expanding urban fabric of the center of V. N. de Gaia. This development combines apartments from T1 to T4, commerce and services, as well as a public parking lot, creating a multifunctional space that enhances integration with the surrounding urban and natural environment.
The land
The land was a farm whose "mansion," abandoned since the years following April 25, deteriorated to total ruin. The farm, with 1.1 hectares, is located on a hill exposed to the west but with a wide horizon over Porto and the Douro River. And, moreover, it is situated halfway between the city center and the Devesas train station.
The setting
The residential complex, at Quinta do Choupelo, relies on the existing road structure and a created street. This, already registered in the urbanization plan provided by the municipality, has continuity planned in future urban processes.
The layout and volumetry stem from the urbanization plan. This defined three blocks arranged perpendicularly to Rua do Conselheiro Veloso da Cruz, over a common basement.
The project
Thus, the project includes 103 apartments and 26 stores and two underground parking lots.
One of the parking lots is for residents and the other for public use.
The apartments and stores are distributed across three blocks.
The apartment typologies range from T1 to T4. However, various configurations are offered for each typology.
The outdoor areas are paved or landscaped.
The gardens and walkways serve as connecting elements between the housing and commercial blocks, as well as spaces for relaxation and leisure.
To this end, horizontal platforms, paved or landscaped, are created as potential outdoor leisure spaces.
The galleries protect and invite pedestrians, with Porto and the Douro River as a backdrop.
The overall design of the Development was based on a contemporary but strict architectural language.
Decisions regarding construction aspects were always guided by criteria of great solidity and resistance to time.
This project is commercially known as "Varandas do Choupelo."