The project starts with the consideration of heritage and historical values. We differentiate between the "eternal" value of the project´s masses: the compression of the great walls and domes, and the "ephemeral" character of the old structures: constructive systems traditionally made of wood. The project was developed following this understanding of passing time, preserving the value of the "eternal" and proposing a new "ephemeral". A structure made of steel, separate and flooded with light, suggests a new contemporaneity.
Name of project: Renovation of the Trinity College - European College
Client: Universidade de Coimbra
Location: Coimbra, Portugal
Date of Project: 2001-2013
Date of Construction: 2014-2016
Surface Area: 1910 sqm
Building Area: 4093 sqm
Site Area: 2300 sqm
Authors: Manuel e Francisco Aires Mateus
Project Leader: Susana Rodrigues
Collaborators: Vânia Fernandes, Olga Sanina, Sara Nobre
Engineers: BETAR, GPEC Trofa, JOULE, José Galvão Teles
Constructor: Veiga Lopes S.A.