Making city. Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim
24/05/2023.
[Porto] Portugal
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
The Porto-based architecture studio, Nuno Valentim, has been the author of the rehabilitation of the famous Mercado do Bolhão in the center of the city of Porto, Portugal.
Built in 1914, the Mercado do Bolhão is an emblematic building of the city of Porto that has great heritage value, which makes it a unique facility without preventing it from continuing to develop, as its main function, is that of a traditional food market.
This transformation action aims to recover the identity and coherence of the building, as well as update the social function of the market in the city, complementing it with new commercial and restaurant spaces.
The project is one of the 16 selected in the Built Heritage category for the AHI European Award – Architectural Heritage Intervention.
Built in 1914, the Mercado do Bolhão is an emblematic building of the city of Porto that has great heritage value, which makes it a unique facility without preventing it from continuing to develop, as its main function, is that of a traditional food market.
This transformation action aims to recover the identity and coherence of the building, as well as update the social function of the market in the city, complementing it with new commercial and restaurant spaces.
The project is one of the 16 selected in the Built Heritage category for the AHI European Award – Architectural Heritage Intervention.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by CMP
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by CMP.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Guilherme-Costa.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Guilherme-Costa.
Basement and ground floor plans, and roof plan. Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim.
Section. Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Luís Ferreira Alves
The renovation designed by Nuno Valentim, in this emblematic building, pays attention to the recovery and enhancement of the building to adapt it both to current regulations and to the requirements of the activity of a fresh produce market, recovering its architectural identity and improving its facilities to adapt them to current needs.
In addition to the restoration of the façade and roofs, a complete rehabilitation of the interior equipment has been added, which makes it possible to have 79 market stalls (protected by a metal cover), 38 outdoor markets, and 10 restaurants. In addition, a space for "show-cooking" activities has been set up with a fully equipped kitchen to host events related to cooking.
On the upper floors, a long open corridor now functions as a viewing space for the building. Finally, the market has improved its accessibility thanks to the installation of 10 lifts for users and merchants, as well as direct access to the metro.
For the evacuation of rainwater and wastewater, a linear and punctual drainage system was designed that was distributed through different areas and floors of the market. The chosen drainage channels are made of polymer concrete and combine ACO's Self and Multidrain solutions.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.In addition to the restoration of the façade and roofs, a complete rehabilitation of the interior equipment has been added, which makes it possible to have 79 market stalls (protected by a metal cover), 38 outdoor markets, and 10 restaurants. In addition, a space for "show-cooking" activities has been set up with a fully equipped kitchen to host events related to cooking.
On the upper floors, a long open corridor now functions as a viewing space for the building. Finally, the market has improved its accessibility thanks to the installation of 10 lifts for users and merchants, as well as direct access to the metro.
For the evacuation of rainwater and wastewater, a linear and punctual drainage system was designed that was distributed through different areas and floors of the market. The chosen drainage channels are made of polymer concrete and combine ACO's Self and Multidrain solutions.
Mercado do Bolhão renovation by Nuno Valentim. Photograph by Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves.
Project description by Nuno Valentim
The building protection as a “monument of public interest” assigned to Mercado do Bolhão in 2013, recognizes heritage value in two inseparable dimensions – the uniqueness of the Beaux Arts building and its function as a traditional market.
The proposed intervention in the building and market (conceived by Correia da Silva in 1914/17) is based on the recovery and enhancement of the original matrix of the building and the modernization necessary to meet the requirements of its function.
This transformative action, attentive to the existing heritage, aims to enhance the building's identity and coherence, removing spurious elements and managing new infrastructures without losing its most important values - the sellers, the users, and the fresh market activity.
More information
Architects
Nuno Valentim, Arquitectura, Lda.. Architects.- Nuno Valentim, Rita Machado Lima with Margarida Carvalho, Frederico Eça, Juliano Ribas, Luís Mendonça (designer).
Project team
Maria Ana Sousa Coutinho, Margarida Ramos, Pedro Lima da Costa, Nuno Borges, Filipa Ferreira, Francisca Lopes, Julia Zak, Otília Ayres Pereira, Ricardo Murca, Carolina Manarte, Ailton Correia, Elsa Pinto, Sara Noronha, Alexandra Gouveia Santos.
Collaborators
Engineering.- JCT (Structures, Hydraulics, Air Conditioning, Gas, SCI), Gatengel (Electrical Installations, Telecommunications, GTC, Electromechanics), GM (Cold). Consultancy.- Prof. Vasco Peixoto de Freitas (Hygrothermal), Prof. Aníbal Costa (Structures), António Vasques (Conservation and Restoration).
Brand and signs.- Eduardo Aires.
Brand and signs.- Eduardo Aires.
Client
GO Porto, Gestão e Obras do Porto EM.
Area
22,142 sqm.
Dates
Original construction.- 1914-1920.
Renovation project.- 2014-2017 .
Renovation.- 2018, completed in 2022.
Renovation project.- 2014-2017 .
Renovation.- 2018, completed in 2022.
Location
Rua Formosa, 322. Porto, Portugal.
Budget
€25,700,000
Photography
Marta Maria Ferreira / Luís Ferreira Alves. Guilherme-Costa.
Nuno Valentim. Nuno Valentim, Arquitectura e Reabilitação
Nuno Valentim, Arquitectura e Reabilitação is an architecture studio founded in 1997 in Porto. It has more than 150 projects of different scales, programs, and frameworks.
Of note are the Rehabilitation of Casa Andresen/Biodiversity Gallery and Casa Salabert in the Porto Botanical Garden, the expansion of the Lycée Français in Porto, and the Bolhão Market Rehabilitation/Modernization project.
His work is focused on the reality in which he acts, physical and human, where architecture is understood as a synthesis activity between the program and the context, and the architect is recognized as an author and fundamental actor in the response to social needs, environmental, and landscape.
Nuno Valentim (Porto, 1971), Architect (1995), and Ph.D. (2016) from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto. Master's Degree in Rehabilitation of Built Heritage (2006) from the Faculty of Engineering of the UP. He was a fellow at IUAVenezia (Italy) and TU-Delft (Holland).
He collaborated with João A. Rocha (1991), Luísa Penha (1994), and José Gigante (1995/2004).
He has been practicing with his own studio since 1994 and has won several awards, congresses, and works exhibited and published nationally and internationally. He has been a FAUP professor since 2005.
Of note are the Rehabilitation of Casa Andresen/Biodiversity Gallery and Casa Salabert in the Porto Botanical Garden, the expansion of the Lycée Français in Porto, and the Bolhão Market Rehabilitation/Modernization project.
His work is focused on the reality in which he acts, physical and human, where architecture is understood as a synthesis activity between the program and the context, and the architect is recognized as an author and fundamental actor in the response to social needs, environmental, and landscape.
Nuno Valentim (Porto, 1971), Architect (1995), and Ph.D. (2016) from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto. Master's Degree in Rehabilitation of Built Heritage (2006) from the Faculty of Engineering of the UP. He was a fellow at IUAVenezia (Italy) and TU-Delft (Holland).
He collaborated with João A. Rocha (1991), Luísa Penha (1994), and José Gigante (1995/2004).
He has been practicing with his own studio since 1994 and has won several awards, congresses, and works exhibited and published nationally and internationally. He has been a FAUP professor since 2005.
