TECHNOLOGICAL PARK IN OBIDOS BY JORGE MEALHA

An office space for start-ups that seems to rest upon the hillside

In 2010, a small, rural community in Portugal launched an international architecture competition. The historical town, located just north of Lisbon, was looking to integrate a technological park that would house innovative start-ups and serve as a public space for the community. Portuguese architect Jorge Mealha won the competition and set about exploring ways to create a modern facility that would not disrupt the tranquil natural surroundings.

His solution was to incorporate a familiar element of traditional Portuguese villages: the terreiros. These public squares take different forms, sometimes without clear boundaries. To mimic this idea, the architect created an artificial topography in relation with the environment. He carved out openings at the ground level to resemble erosion and created an artificial hill with land excavated during construction. The hill is also a functional space that houses a meeting room, a restaurant, a Fablab workshop, shops and more.

The cultivated hills and valleys of the ground floor create a natural resting place for the rectangular upper level. Due to the presence of a local monastery, the architect was also inspired cloisters, which brought about the geometric shape that frames the plaza. He also lined two interior walls entirely in glass to create cloister-like interior transparency and encourage the tenants to interact.

The structure is built like a horizon and meant to be low, level and unobtrusive. Its exterior is clad in a white, translucent skin, while the interior is defined by a more robust assortment of concrete, wood and steel that references the earth into which it is partially submerged.