POC Santa Luzia
The scope of this project consisted in the conception of an industrial facility for EDP, a global energy company, to act as a base for the observation and control of a dam in case of emergency.
Located in Pampilhosa da Serra, in Portugal’s midlands, this area is defined by a beautiful concrete arch dam, 76m tall and 115m long, a wide water reservoir and majestic quartzite formations that merge with the dam.
Taking into account the enormous constraints existing for the implantation of this building - very uneven topography, reduced area available with good visibility for the water discharge structures, interference with geodesic landmarks - the option for the implantation of the building fell on an area located above the access road. This area is at the end of a route and has privileged views of the dam and the water reservoir.
The option for locating the POC in a semi-buried position was intended to ensure adequate landscape integration of the new construction, with the intervention being underhanded, located under the ground and aligned with a granite wall. From the lower level, the volume is perceptible through a large horizontal opening, which guarantees good visibility of the interior spaces towards the dam.
The access to the interior of the building is made through long stairs that connect to the lane in which the vehicles can park. This leads to a patio, which serves as an antechamber for accessing the building.
With an interior area of approximately 35m2, the building is divided into 3 spaces: entrance, sanitary facility, observation and control room.
