Uma casa na zona pombalina em Vila Real de Santo António - reflexão sobre uma experiência de projecto

Abstract

The present dissertation is the final work within an integrated Master of Architecture thesis at Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto. It´s the result of a practical exercise project intended to show its process and reflection: a building in the Pombaline area of Vila Real de Santo António. This issue arises from a long-felt wish linked to a real need to build a new space to be inhabited. Starting from the analysis of the place and the surroundings we tried to meet balance and harmony between both buildings: the old one and the one to be built. The process reflection of this particular project shows the upcoming problems and obstacles that have emerged in the search for an answer demonstrating that the project results from its author´s experiences as well, showing therefore that the more memories, information and knowledge he has the richer his experience will be. The project process is divided into various steps aiming at a better analysis, synthesis and understanding of the problems that will be surmounted at each step, thus allowing us to understand that the process is done as a whole and that the project results from its process. A four-year-practice in designing different project exercises in which project and process come together and can never be dissociated, led to this dissertation that results from the connection of both parts, a practical and a theoretical one, trying to understand and reflect on the developing creative experience, thus transforming the process of the practical project into a study issue.