Moinhos' Beach Requalification

São Miguel Island, 2007 - 2009

Moinhos Beach is located in an attractive area of São Miguel Island, on the north shore. The poor walking path to the beach and the need of a bathhouse for its visitors were the plot to project a building in such a beautiful place. The design, with small but significant changes to the state of the place, intended to preserve and enhance the landscape and the natural features of the site. For sake of accuracy and discretion, the project is built into the slope. The building appears like it is part of the site, like it is grown from the ground. The construction, with its composition of masses and voids entirely build in concrete and basalt stone, speaks about a powerful building, really anchored on the site. The dark walls, seaming a rock, facing the beach also dark, establish a serene dialogue.