Souto de Moura

Miguel Torga Cultural Center . Sabrosa

Eduardo Souto de Moura . photos: © João Morgado . + Luis Ferreira Alves' set of pictures

This cultural center wants to be an institution of reference in the study and dissemination of the poet Miguel Torga’s literary oeuvre: for this reason, the scheme proposed here is a serene architectural frame, a one-story building blended in the horizontal landscape of vineyards that characterizes its surroundings.

The chosen site, belonging to the Sabrosa Town Hall, comprised two differentiated areas: a paved one, to the north, where a bimonthly fair takes place, and another one apparently in misuse, to the south, by the vineyard. The volume conceived as a construction of load bearing walls, is tucked in between both plots. Its two entrances – one for the general public on the east end, and one of service on the west side – are located between two parallel walls into which each of one of the side facades of the center unfold. The walls extend northwards to delimit the precinct of the fair, gradually reducing its height to permit their use as seating. A grid of trees organizes this open space that, when there are no events, also serves as parking area for the center.
The building has a total area of 1.500 square meters. The entrance from the east side flows directly into the main exhibition hall: a hermetic rectangle that precedes the library, study room and administration spaces. These spaces receive natural light through small private courtyards located behind the north façade wall. The exhibition hall extends, along its western end, and links up with another smaller space with a squared floor plan, which is at once an auxiliary space for exhibitions and a distribution lobby with access to the cafeteria, restrooms and auditorium, the latter with capacity for 110 spectators. An underground floor with storage and technical areas completes the facilities.
Constructively, a load bearing structure of reinforced concrete has been used. The facade is clad entirely
With slate from the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, except in the cafeteria, facing southwest, which has a glass facade offering views of the landscape of vineyards. The interior surfaces are finished with afizélia wood in the case of the floor surfaces and with plasterboard in the case of ceilings and walls.

Author Eduardo Souto de Moura
Project May 2007- August 2008
Construction April 2009 – November 2011
Address Rua Miguel Torga, Freguesia de S. Martinho de Anta
Locality Sabrosa
Client Câmara Municipal de Sabrosa
Colaborators Pedro Guedes de Oliveira, José Carlos Mariano, Tiago Coelho, Isabel Neves,
Diogo Guimarães
Consultants Segropol e Get (AVAC)
Construction Area 1680m2
Site Area 8600m2
Cost aprox. 3million Euros