The project developed by Atelier Bugio comprises only two stops, thus ensuring an efficient flow of people. On the ground floor, Rua dos Lagares marks the beginning of the journey; on the upper floor, at the end of Calçada da Graça, is the final station, located slightly below the viewpoint level. This arrangement allows the funicular to pause on the street before beginning its descent, in a gesture similar to that of the Ascensor da Bica.
The design of the cabin incorporates two contrasting yet complementary spatial situations. An opaque section houses the two doors, one for emergencies and the other for passenger access, while the transparent section allows for continuous contact with the outside, offering views of the neighboring convent throughout the entire journey.
The project was nominated as one of the 40 projects selected for the 2026 EUmies/Mies van der Rohe Awards.
Graça Funicular by Atelier Bugio. Photograph by Alexander Bogorodskiy.
Project description by Atelier Bugio
Following a logic of typological continuity, the mechanical solution of the funicular establishes the connection to the Graça hill. Lisbon's hills have a tradition of transport mechanisms for people, most of them electric, such as various elevators—both vertical and inclined—and, more recently, escalators, like the one connecting Rua Garrett to Largo do Carmo.
The typological reference for this funicular was, in many aspects, the Bica Elevator, which provided answers to many of the questions we posed regarding this equipment. At the lower level, continuing the façade of Rua dos Lagares, a building opens a large door onto the street. This public entrance allows access between the street and the funicular through a "station" building, where the equipment is stored when not in use and where passengers are received before beginning their journey.
The funicular has only two stops to ensure the desired flow: one at the lower level, on Rua dos Lagares, and the other at the upper level, where it meets the end of Calçada da Graça. This upper stop is slightly below the viewpoint level, allowing the funicular to stop on the street—similar to the Bica Elevator—before beginning its descent.
Spatial Sequence
At the lower level, on Rua dos Lagares, a small “station” building continues the street’s façade and connects the funicular route to the street through a double-height space. The building houses the mechanism and creates a "gateway" to Graça. The funicular cabin is designed with an axis that divides it into two sections: the opaque section, which contains two doors—one emergency exit and one for passengers—and the transparent section, which offers passengers a view of the interior of the Convent’s enclosure throughout the journey, as the route runs parallel to it.
The enclosure is now being transformed into a public garden. The first part of the route runs alongside the enclosure, ascending continuously through the new garden. Then, the funicular enters a small curved tunnel that passes beneath the viewpoint, reaching the connection level with Calçada da Graça. As it emerges onto the street, the funicular “turns its back” to the viewpoint’s retaining wall, opening up to Jardim Augusto Gil and the river, which unfolds on the horizon of Calçada da Graça.
The interior of the fence is now being transformed into a public garden. The first part of the route runs alongside the fence and traverses the new garden in a continuous upward ascent. Then the funicular enters a small curved tunnel that crosses the viewpoint to reach the level connecting to Calçada da Graça. The funicular then appears on the street, turning its "back" to the viewpoint's retaining wall, opening onto the Augusto Gil Garden and the river that can be seen on the horizon of Calçada da Graça.
