The project reflects on the concept of sustainability and the unique characteristics of the site. Considering that Gaia in Greek mythology represents Mother Earth, the chosen location for the new Environmental Museum is both logical and symbolic from the outset.

We understand true sustainability as a balance between full and empty, solid and void, that, when in the right proportion, create total harmony among elements. This is the essence of Yin and Yang: two opposing yet complementary forces. Yin embodies passivity and absorption, the natural void, while Yang represents activity and construction. Based on this principle, our proposal acknowledges the equal importance of built and unbuilt space. In this specific case, the unbuilt is public space that belongs to the city, giving Vila Nova de Gaia not only a new museum, but also a new park and a new civic square. For us, it is essential to design facilities that transcend their primary function and generate new experiences for the city.

We therefore propose a City Park on the upper part of the site, extending continuously across the museum’s roof. This green area acts as a counterpoint to the square, an urban reference element, while the museum itself serves as the connection between the two. At the end of the building, the auditorium establishes the boundary of the square and creates an urban front defined by its scale and presence. The entire proposal emerges from a desire to explore the interplay between solid and void, natural and urban, conceived as a single mass that is gradually excavated to define built spaces and open voids, while respecting and integrating pre-existing elements as a fundamental part of the design.

Another central theme of our approach is the adoption of passive, low-impact environmental strategies, solutions that do not become quickly obsolete with the rapid pace of technological change. We studied and adapted traditional ventilation and natural cooling systems, such as wind catchers, to support mechanical ventilation. These systems reduce energy demand for air circulation, lowering both energy consumption and maintenance costs. In our proposal, they also serve a dual purpose: beyond ventilating the interior, they introduce natural light into the museum through a system of mirrors that reflect the roof garden. In this way, vegetation visually penetrates the interior spaces, reinforcing the idea of nature as the origin of all life.

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STATUS: competition entry

LOCATION: Vila Nova de Gaia (PT)

ARCHITECTURE : un-icon + Catarina Machado

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT : TERRA ARQUITECTURA PAISAGISTA

ENGINEER : GOP

3D VISUALIZATION : STUDIO NASCENTE