The building proposed by Spaceworkers is conceived as a "silent inhabitant" of Lousada and follows the principle "form follows function," providing passengers with a protected waiting, boarding, and alighting area without interfering with the surrounding road network. To achieve this, the structure is supported on a single side, reducing its footprint and freeing up the rest of the space. The roof, the visually most dominant element, was carefully designed with approximately 35% of its surface in glass to ensure transparency and a sense of urban permeability.
The internal program of the volume supporting the roof is divided into three functional areas: a waiting area of approximately 30 m², a storage space, and a public restroom with an automatic self-cleaning system.
Intermodal Hub of Lousada by Spaceworkers. Photograph by Fernando Guerra | FG+SG.
Project description by Spaceworkers
The planned intervention is located in the northern area of Lousada, a growing zone where new residential clusters, cultural spaces, and an expanded road network are being proposed to integrate with existing infrastructure. The intervention site has a strong cultural dynamic, supported by the Music Conservatory and, more recently, the opening of the Romanesque Interpretation Center. This new cultural hub has contributed to the revitalization of the area and to Lousada’s northern expansion, reinforcing its identity as a key cultural district.
Building on the presence of this cultural landmark and the future Romanesque Square, which is set to be developed behind the Romanesque Interpretation Center, this location emerges as the ideal site for the town’s new intermodal transport hub. The goal is to improve urban mobility while preserving the town’s peaceful and authentic character.
The proposed building is designed to be a `silent inhabitant´ of Lousada—not to go unnoticed, but to ensure its presence does not disrupt the town’s mobility, whether for pedestrians or vehicles. Strategically positioned, it remains close to the center without intruding upon it, while also maintaining proximity to key roads linking Lousada to neighboring municipalities, thereby preventing bus traffic from congesting the town’s historic core. This new axis, enhanced by the transport hub, will undoubtedly become a significant landmark in Lousada, facilitating public transportation flow and strengthening connections with surrounding municipalities, ultimately increasing the town’s regional competitiveness.
The proposed structure follows the `form follows function´principle, providing a clear and efficient response to its intended purpose: offering passengers a sheltered waiting area while ensuring smooth boarding and disembarking, all without disrupting the surrounding road network. Despite its size, the design seeks to minimize its impact, preserving urban dynamics and maintaining pedestrian connectivity between the various streets that intersect this new urban node.
To achieve this, the structure is designed with only a single point of contact with the ground, reducing its footprint and physically and visually freeing up the remaining space. The roof, the most visually dominant element, was carefully designed with approximately 35% of its surface in glass, ensuring transparency and, consequently, the desired sense of urban permeability.
The internal program of the structure supporting the roof is divided into three essential functional areas: a waiting area, storage space, and sanitary facilities. The waiting area, approximately 30m², is equipped with aluminum benches for added comfort, as well as wall-mounted screens displaying essential travel information. This space provides direct access to a restricted storage area and a public restroom, which features a self-cleaning automatic system.
The proposal is limited to the essentials, focusing on the functional spaces necessary for the intermodal hub’s operation while incorporating an architectural approach that enhances the site. Through its volume and design, the building aims to bring a renewed and contemporary character to the area, establishing itself as a key landmark within Lousada.
