Observatory / Machado Costa

Observatory / Machado Costa - FacadeObservatory / Machado Costa - Stairs, Fence, Chair, HandrailObservatory / Machado Costa - Windows, WaterfrontObservatory / Machado Costa - BeamObservatory / Machado Costa - More Images+ 9

  • Architects: Machado Costa
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  400
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Hidraulics, Landscape Design, Mechanicals, Structures
  • Authors: Pedro Machado Costa, Célia Gomes
  • Architect In Charge: Pedro Machado Costa
  • Design Team: Pedro Machado Costa, Célia Gomes, João Simões, Ricardo Balhana
  • City: Aveiro
  • Country: Portugal
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Observatory / Machado Costa - Windows, Waterfront
© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography

Text description provided by the architects. The Observatory rises above a labyrinth of canals, salt marshes and small islands that punctuate the landscape of the lagoon. The building serves as a welcome centre for the Natural Park’s visitors, who search for the biodiversity of the Vouga River’s estuary.

Observatory / Machado Costa - Beam
© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography

The building is positioned near the cost line. The up and down of the tides submerges part of the building’s base, allowing direct access from its interior to small boats that take the visitors off to the lagoon. 

Ground floor plan

Inside, one can find an exhibition area and an auditorium, offering a panorama of the surrounding landscape. Through four huge and deep windows, visitors will experience four glimpses over the territory: the serenity of the lagoon's water plan, the rippling vegetation growing at the dikes, the slow movement of the sky and the profile of the city.

Observatory / Machado Costa - Chair, Handrail
© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography
Sections
Observatory / Machado Costa - Stairs, Fence, Chair, Handrail
© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography

Former craftsmen of an old deactivated shipyard in Aveiro built the Observatory. Two carpenters shaped the wooden parts of the formworks, and naval locksmiths manufactured the metal elements. The construction of the building lasted for more than a decade.

Originally published on December 21, 2017

Observatory / Machado Costa - Waterfront
© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography

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Project location

Address:Aveiro, Portugal

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Observatory / Machado Costa" 17 Jun 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/885801/observatory-machado-costa> ISSN 0719-8884

© Vasco Neves Architectural Photography

Aveiro 瞭望台 / Machado Costa

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