The Intermunicipal Community of Alto Tâmega (CIMAT), is a region in  Portugal north, on the border with Spain, that represent six municipalities (Boticas, Chaves, Montalegre, Ribeira de Pena, Valpaços and Vila Pouca de Aguiar). In order to disseminate and publicize the region, an open competition to design a Tourism Info Point, which was won by the Portuguese architecture studio AND-RÉ arquitectura.

The pavilion is open since september 2020 and is set in the Tabolado Garden, in Chaves village.
The simplicity of the program mirrors itself in the shape of the building, a circular pavilion designed by AND-RÉ Arquitectura of approximately 100 m², completely clad with wooden slats and built using a structural base of pillars and wooden beams on a concrete slab.

The circle shaped plan is organized along one main axis that starts with an outdoor covered space. When entering, the program opens itself in a single open-space room, capable of receiving many visitors simultaneously. The technical areas and toilets are hidden in wall thickness. The visit ends with an open view over a symbolic reflecting pool that evokes the Tâmega River that identifies this region and the fact that Chaves is one of the most important thermal areas in Portugal.
 

Project description by AND-RÉ Arquitectura

The Alto Tâmega Tourism Info Point, open since september 2020, is the result of a public competition organized by the Intermunicipal Community of Alto Tâmega (CIMAT) that aimed for a Tourism Info Point that represented each of the six municipalities that compose it (Boticas, Chaves, Montalegre, Ribeira de Pena, Valpaços and Vila Pouca de Aguiar).

Set in the Tabolado Garden, in Chaves, the building with approximately 100 sqm, with a circular plan, is built using a structural base of timber pillars and beams over a concrete slab and is completely covered in timber battens. The circular timber building relates to its natural surroundings, bringing to its core concept the image that this region represents.

The simplicity of the program mirrors itself in the shape of the building, resulting in a clarity of functions and a clear reading of the touristic contents. The circle shaped plan is drawn as a natural consequence, answering the both the practical (the visitors path and the even display on information) and the formal issues, a building that is both related to the urban and natural landscape of its setting. The spaces are organized along one main axis that starts with an outdoor covered space, the first contact with the program. When entering, the program opens itself in a single open-space room, capable of receiving many visitors simultaneously. The technical areas and toilets are hidden in wall thickness. The visit ends with an open view over a symbolic reflecting pool that evokes the Tâmega River that identifies this region and the fact that Chaves is one of the most important thermal areas in Portugal.

The technical and building choices aim to answer the rigorous sustainability and durability principles: the solar orientation of the main room, location and shading of the windows, double glazes wood window frames, solar panels, zinc roof, water reuse, the use o high levels of insulation and the preferential use of wood both as structure and façade. All of these make this building a reference in sustainability.

The choice of wood as the main material throughout the building reflects the values and symbols of a region in which nature is the main attraction.

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Architects
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Client
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Community of Alto Tâmega (CIMAT).
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Area
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100m².
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Dates
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2020.
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Location
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Tabolado Garden, Chaves, Portugal.
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Photography
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AND-RÉ. [Porto / Portugal] Founded in 2008 by the partners Bruno André and Francisco Salgado Ré, AND-RÉ office is a creative studio, dedicated to a strategic practice and forward thinking of architecture and design, which uses to create positive responses to contemporary challenges and paradigms. The office works to find pragmatic and contextualized solutions, focused on the user and the human relationship with space, objects and their impact on the world and society. Headquartered in Portugal, they are also present in Brasil, Switzerland and UAE, where they keep developing innovative strategic concepts, based in respect for society, environment and humanity.

Bruno André is co-founding partner of AND-RÉ. Born in Oporto in 1981, he graduated in architecture at FAULP. He previously worked with Carlos Castanheira and Álvaro Siza Vieira on various projects in Portugal, Dubai and Korea.

Francisco Salgado Ré is co-founding partner of AND-RÉ. Born in Porto in 1981, he studied arts and architecture at FAULP. He dedicated his work to a multidisciplinary cross-pollinated practice between different areas such as architecture, design, art or gastronomy.

MANIFESTO

Act strategically facing main issues.
Adapt to different contexts.
Respect the past and work for the future.
Believe in the user perspective point of view.
Think in architecture and design as critical activities.
Aim for responsible, comprehensive and engaging creations. Feel creation both as cultural consequence and generator. Understand architecture and design as solutions.

http://www.and-re.pt/

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Published on: August 12, 2021
Cite: "A minimal idea for maximum content. Alto Tâmega Tourism Info Point by AND-RÉ Arquitectura" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/a-minimal-idea-maximum-content-alto-tamega-tourism-info-point-and-re-arquitectura> ISSN 1139-6415
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