Lavadouros de Gondomar. De reconhecimento histórico a uma estratégia para a sua requalificação

Abstract

The main objective of the present dissertation is to develop an architectural proposal focused on the revaluation and reintegration of the public washhouses built in Gondomar since the 19th century. To highlight the significance of intervening in these architectural structures, we conducted an in-depth study on the phenomenon of the emergence of Gondomar's washhouses, analyzing their connection with the social and territorial context in which they are embedded. Additionally, we carried out a survey and inventory of the existing washhouses in the municipality, to elucidate their evolution, from their origins to the present day. Concepts such as Heritage, Culture and Identity accentuated the importance of preserving the municipality's washhouses, given their key role in the population's memory and in the landscape. The Nasce-Águas Washhouse was selected as a case study for the development of an intervention. The proposed project primarily aims to establish methods of intervention that address the challenges faced by these architectural structures in the contemporary context. Furthermore, it seeks to revitalize not only the urban spaces where these washhouses are located but also the collective memory associated with them.