Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures

Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Windows, FacadeEscadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Windows, Facade, HandrailEscadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, FacadeEscadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior PhotographyEscadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - More Images+ 25

Matosinhos, Portugal
  • Team: Paulo Moreira, Hemak Verkron, Irad Verkron, Carlos Gomes, Joyceline Teixeira, Raquel Pais, Oona Philomena Wächter, Oscar Larfeuille, Sami Sahli, Sofia Paganelli
  • Local Builders: José Silva, Fábio Silva
  • Arte: Verkron
  • City: Matosinhos
  • Country: Portugal
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Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Ivo Tavares Studio

‘Escadinhas Footpaths’ is a project that links architecture, art, and the natural world. It is a network of pedestrian footpaths linking the hilly neighborhood of Monte Xisto to the banks of the River Leça in Matosinhos. The initiative is intended to demonstrate the added value that low-budget projects can bring to more ‘hidden’, neglected urban spaces in our cities.

Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Forest
© Ivo Tavares Studio

Lasting a year, the process brought together a multidisciplinary team of architects, local builders, artists, and an extensive network of partners. In the first phase of the building work, the steps leading to Rua das Escadinhas, an unusual urban device connecting the upper and lower levels of the western hill of Monte Xisto, were rehabilitated. The steps and handrail were repaired and a new boundary between the public steps and the private land adjoining them were created in the form of benches, allowing the stairs to be used as a resting place.

Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Windows, Facade, Handrail
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Image 26 of 30
Site plan
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Interior Photography, Door, Windows, Concrete
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Interior Photography
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Door, Arch
© Ivo Tavares Studio

Following the path that links the foot of the steps to the River Leça, an old ruin was rebuilt and transformed into a seating area surrounded by nature. Small-scale interventions restored the site’s original character, undoing the precarious interventions carried out over the years. The meticulous rehabilitation of the site, which included adding benches in every ‘room’ in the building, has encouraged people to spend time there and transformed it into a place for socializing.

Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Image 27 of 30
Plan - Ruins
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Image 28 of 30
Axonometric - Ruins
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Exterior Photography, Forest, Garden
© Ivo Tavares Studio

This project was promoted by INSTITUTO and designed by paulo moreira architectures, with Verkron, in the framework of Bairros Saudáveis initiative, also with support by InResidence / Ágora – Cultura e Desporto and União de Freguesias - Custóias, Leça do Balio e Guifões.

Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Image 18 of 30
© Ivo Tavares Studio
Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures - Image 25 of 30
© Ivo Tavares Studio

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Project location

Address:Matosinhos, 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: "Escadinhas Footpaths / Paulo Moreira Architectures" [Caminho das Escadinhas / Paulo Moreira Architectures] 16 Oct 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/990537/escadinhas-footpaths-paulo-moreira-architectures> ISSN 0719-8884

© Ivo Tavares Studio

Escadinhas 小路 / Paulo Moreira Architectures

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