Cultural Center in Castelo Branco by Josep Lluis Mateo

Ideas of project

The Cultural Center, built in phase two, though part of the original project, floats on two piles over the plaza, like a bridge, freeing up at its base a covered ice-skating rink, and giving continuity to this large public space, to the plaza and to the adjacent park. It forms another part of the plaza, drawing on the Portuguese tradition of skating and the cold continental climate.

With its wooden façade, in contrast to the zinc-clad reinforced concrete of the suspended part, it is a bubble of activity, a roof and a floor that floats above the site, relating the urban sequence, the plaza and the park.

Descending one of the ramps generated by the folds in the pa- ving of Praça Largo da Devesa, we come to the main entrance of Castelo Branco Cultural Center. We move towards it, dazzled by the great façade of wooden slats, adjustable at one point to regulate the lighting, that look down on us from their position in the air.

Almost without our realizing, this descent brings us to the recep- tion, situated below grade and leading into a great gallery. This floor also accommodates the administrative area.

Continuing with the variations in the floor level, a gradual slope takes us to the car park, for the public, which expands beneath the building and the plaza.

Inside the building, the ground floor is just a transition space, connecting with the floors above. On the outside, however, this floor is the manifestation of the connection between the plaza and the Cultural Center, housing an ice rink that extends from one side of the building to the other and interacts directly with its setting, becoming a hub of activity. It is an outdoor space that generates movement, colour, light at night and music.

Skylights exploit this opening at ground level to allow light into the basement floor, creating an ambience that is light and welcoming.

We go back inside through another entrance on the ground floor, beneath the wooden façade. On the higher levels, we find the auditorium and a gallery that mimic the structure of the building, forming double-height spaces.

At one end, the exhibition hall occupies the first and second floors, with a ramp to change level that accompanies the structure of the building. In this way, the visitor has an overview of the space.

At the other end, the auditorium also moulds naturally to the curve of the building with its seating arrangement. All in black, it contrasts with the lighter tones of the stage to focus the au- dience’s attention.

In addition to these spaces, the first floor also accommodates the dressing rooms, with direct access to the stage.

On the second floor, opposite the stage, are the control room and a bar connected with the main entrance to the auditorium where visitors can relax. There is also a multipurpose space on this floor, enclosed between the exhibition hall and the auditorium.

The top floor offers stunning vistas of Castelo Branco, with the castle that gives the city its name.

Finally, the roof, concealing all the machinery, opens up in a great skylight over the exhibition hall, providing natural lighting.