Project for the Redevelopment and Enhancement of Green Spaces, Fornos de Algodres

Municipality of Fornos de Algodres

Introduction

This project consists of developing a redevelopment solution for two distinct green spaces located in the village of Fornos de Algodres, also encompassing the road that connects them. The proposal is based on a dynamic urban design, focused on creating recreational and leisure spaces that promote contemplation of the surrounding landscape and the enhancement of local identity.

Context and Need

The intervention arose from the need to interpret and respond to a specific set of topographical and architectural constraints. In the first area, near the subdivision at the entrance to the village, the terrain presented a steep slope and was flanked by imposing walls and staircases that obscured the landscape. In the second area, in the center of the village, the area was constrained by towering buildings. Therefore, there was a need to create infrastructure to support the subdivision and to reinforce the presence of the verdant “void” in contrast to the “fullness” of the neighboring blocks, ensuring the preservation of the memory and character of the places.

Summary of the Project Completed

The intervention was divided into two main areas of action:

1. Green Space of the Subdivision

In this area, the project combined various recreational, sporting, and accommodation functions through the following actions:

• Routes and Dynamism: Creation of organic pedestrian paths and a spiral generated by the pavement itself to give movement to the composition.
• Water Elements: Installation of channels with fountains that direct water to a reflecting pool located on a lower platform.
• Equipment: Integration of playground, maintenance circuits, and playground equipment.
• Local Identity: Proposal for a megalithic monument in the center of the spiral, a characteristic element of the region.
• Architectural Integration: Maintenance of existing walls and partial elimination of the old staircase to reduce the imposing scale and open the intervention to the landscape.

2. Green Space in the Center of the Village

In this core area, the proposal prioritizes visibility and openness of the space:

• Radial System: Implementation of a system of radial pathways that cut through the terrain and prioritize views of the landscape.
• Hierarchy of Spaces: Creation of varied situations, from areas confined by retaining walls to “suspended” and open areas.
• Enhancement of the Landscape: Emphasis on the presence of the countryside and open space, ensuring that the structuring elements dominate the composition without the inclusion of superfluous elements.

The end result is an urban arrangement that interconnects existing facilities and revitalizes the surrounding area, promoting green spaces that create expression without compromising the practical demands of daily life in the Vila.