DETAIL Prize 2012: Platform of Arts and Creativity

Nominated for DETAIL Prize 2012: Platform of Arts and Creativity, Guimarães, Portugal
Pitágoras - Arquitectura e Engenharia Integradas, Lda (Fernando Seara de Sá, Raúl Roque Figueiredo, Alexandre Coelho Lima, Manuel Luís Vilhena Roque)

The new building in the market square in Guimaraes, Portugal, Capital of Culture in 2012, was created by Pitágoras - Arquitectura e Engenharia Integradas, Lda, as a platform for art and creativity. As a result of the old city market's transformation into a multi-functional public space, the square and surrounding buildings will be upgraded and regained as an active centre for the municipal area. The concept for the new building and the design of the square is determined by the programme that envisages three main areas. Exhibitions and performances take place in the Art Center. In the form of creative labs, there are work rooms and offices for artists. An area for workshops and temporary actions supplement the programme. Shops and businesses in the existing buildings on the east side enliven the scenario and are in line with the original function of the square. Analogous to the new use, the volume and surface of the new building starkly contrast with the surroundings. The serially arranged shops contrast with an irregularly structured, shiny metal construction. The copper facade made of metal rods is interrupted by glimmering glass surfaces and elements that mark the entrance areas.

DETAIL Prize 2012: Online Reader Voting The main prize – the DETAIL Prize 2012 – will be picked by an internationally renowned jury, while the winner of the Reader Prize will be chosen by the readers themselves in an online voting procedure specially set up for this purpose. Choose your favourite project until September 20th!   Further information on DETAIL Prize 2012