a+t architecture publishers

This mixed tenure housing development for the private market and rented social housing is located on a site with a steep inclination in the historic centre of Vila Nova de Gaia. The hill has excellent views of the River Duero, the famous wineries and the harbour wharves.

The programme is grouped into a compact volume which means that some space in the plot could be liberated and open to the public. This space plays a role in neighbourhood life and functions as a pedestrian esplanade giving access to the retail premises and a new social services office which serves the historic centre. The building is divided into two parts separated by a gap which underlines the division between the developments, tenure and typology of the dwelling units. The uniform envelope and the retail use of the whole of the ground floor serve to lessen this segregation.

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