Um projeto para Vila Nova de Cerveira: O percurso pela construção em madeira

Abstract

The present dissertation is the result of a series of different moments and studies about wood as a construction material and as a propelling element for the practice of Architecture, carried out through the whole academic journey, both at the Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade do Porto (FAUP), as well as at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Therefore, with the knowledge acquired, mainly through experimentation and direct contact with the material, from the work developed in the Construção 2 curricular unit, to the intensive experience with wood during the Erasmus semester in the 2021/22 academic year, whose experiences were profusely explored and analyzed in this dissertation, it was developed an investigation into wood as a construction material. This research aims to address different themes capable of creating an understanding of the development of wood construction, the properties and qualities of wood as a building material and as a raw product, and the construction methods that make use of materials derived from wood, such as Glulam and CLT, and their characteristics and advantages over other materials and traditional wood construction methods. It is important to emphasize that this research accompanies the entire development of the dissertation, from the memories of the academic journey to the future of Quinta das Laranjeiras. In this way, all the theoretical and experimental learning carried out over the course of these academic years resulted in the desire to create a project of my own. Thus, through a practical design exercise, the aim is to deepen reflection and understanding, not only about different wood construction techniques, but also about the sensory realm of this material and its relationship with the user, with Architecture and with Construction.