Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation

Description

Working within the existing environment of the Gothic convent of San Francisco, this project skilfully introduces a new function while reviving the original aura of peace and introspection. The project is led by the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting cultural ties with Portugal and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Douro River basin area. The Foundation’s programme integrates new Corten steel and glass volumes that are materially and formally distinct from the original fragments, while at the same time entering into a dialogue with the existing elements. On the site of the former naves of the church, the first garden is created to greet visitors as they cross the perimeter wall. This new cloister is surrounded by two buildings that house the Foundation’s classrooms and offices. To the south-west, the library is a double-height glazed space that opens onto the garden and offers views of the city of Zamora. Before coming into contact with the historical remains, the continuous flow of the steel structure is interrupted by a passage leading to the rear cloister, which stands on the same site as the original cloister. Within the second, more private cloister, the guest research rooms are arranged around the perimeter, each with its own private courtyard, seamlessly blending the intimate interior with the expansive exterior.The chapels at the back of the apse have been transformed into exhibition and event spaces, with modest alterations in keeping with the style of the exterior structures. A roof above provides a terrace with panoramic views of the entire complex. This project exemplifies the method of revitalising historical heritage by creating spaces that are inextricably linked to their sites, yet have a modern aesthetic.