Pelas ruas da escola: um futuro para Vilarinho da Castanheira

Abstract

On the edge of Carrazeda de Ansiães' granite plateau, before the steep descent towards the Douro River, lies the village of Vilarinho da Castanheira, the starting (and finishing) point of this dissertation. Based on the study of Vilarinho and a deep reflection of its coming times, foreseen as both demanding and harsh, an alternative reality is proposed. A reality that potentiates the local cultural heritage, that includes its inhabitants in the process of change and that contributes to the sustainable building of its future. In conversation with the Banda Filarmónica Vilarinhense (the last local cultural association) the creation of a Music School is proposed. By understanding that the old rural areas can be seen today as multifunctional fields of action1, the project intends to take advantage of the inherent qualities of the surroundings to promote the transmission and learning of a local culture. Vilarinho da Castanheira becomes the action field of a single project that in order to activate different zones of the village, is divided into 3 subprogrammes: located in the North, the Collective Artistic Residency connects directly with the local band; in the South, the Individual Artistic Residency invites introspection by integrating itself into the landscape; and in the center, the Music School serves as a new reference point for music learning in the region. To conclude, a reflection is made about this future village, envisioning that the Music School-Village of Vilarinho da Castanheira has already been built and the streets have become its new corridors where the music echoes naturally