Adam Indrych
student
FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture
Czech Republic
Urban Design and Landscape
The proposed structure is situated beneath the deck of the Lisbon bridge Ponte 25 de Abril, connecting two banks across the Tejo River. The location results… more
Endrit Sadiku
advisor
https://www.ubt-uni.net/sq/ballina/
Kosovar
Endrit Sadiku is an architect, urbanist, and researcher specializing in urban resilience,… more
At first impression, this project presents a bold and thought-provoking spatial intervention, challenging conventional notions of urban expansion and adaptive reuse. The decision to utilize the underutilized footprint beneath the Ponte 25 de Abril demonstrates an innovative approach to densification, offering a low-impact yet contextually integrated architectural solution. The concept is well-articulated, ensuring that each element contributes actively to the urban experience rather than serving as a secondary function.
One of the most striking aspects of this project is its psycho-emotional effect on spatial perception. The asymmetry in its structural layout, concentrating the intervention on only one side of the bridge, creates a sense of imbalance that may subconsciously affect how users experience and engage with the space. The visual and spatial dissonance introduces an unresolved tension, potentially leading to a perception of instability or incompleteness. While this does not diminish the project’s architectural intent, a more deliberate counterbalancing strategy could enhance its cohesion and overall urban presence.
From an architectural and functional standpoint, the project maintains clarity and rationality in residential planning. The organization of spaces follows fundamental design principles, ensuring legibility, usability, and comfort. The approach to separating active and quiet zones within the residential units is particularly commendable, reinforcing a logical and human-centered spatial arrangement. This reflects a deep understanding of human-scale design, an aspect that is often overlooked in experimental urban interventions.
While the project introduces elements of self-sufficiency and sustainability, there is an opportunity to further integrate resilience-focused strategies that respond to climate, ecology, and long-term adaptability. Green infrastructure, biodiversity, and urban ecology are not yet fully explored in the project, which could be a key area of refinement. Integrating trees, vertical greenery, and landscaped zones could enhance both thermal comfort and air quality, particularly in an urban microclimate such as Lisbon’s.
Additionally, more attention to urban water management strategies, such as bioswales or permeable surfaces, could further enhance the project's environmental performance.
The renewable energy components, such as photovoltaic panels and water-to-air heat pumps, are strong features that reinforce the project’s self-sufficiency but could be more deeply integrated into the spatial experience. The placement of solar panels could serve a dual function by also providing shading or defining communal areas. Exploring passive ventilation techniques could minimize mechanical energy reliance. Expanding these elements would strengthen the project’s resilience to climate conditions and increase its ecological responsiveness.
The material choices successfully balance structural efficiency with Lisbon’s architectural vernacular, incorporating steel, terrazzo, concrete, ceramics, and glass. However, the project’s current visual representation conveys a somewhat subdued, heavy atmosphere, which does not fully reflect the vibrancy of the concept. More refined, expressive renderings, with a focus on natural light, material textures, and human interaction, would allow for a richer narrative of spatial experience.
Additionally, the bold use of red in the physical model presentation is a strong conceptual statement, reinforcing the project’s assertiveness and identity. This choice demonstrates a clear design intention and makes the project stand out as an experimental yet grounded urban intervention.
This project represents an exceptional exercise in rethinking underutilized urban spaces, and I encourage further exploration of how asymmetry and balance can influence human perception. The conceptual foundation is strong and promising, and with further refinement in ecological strategies and spatial harmony, it has the potential to serve as an inspiring reference in alternative housing strategies for complex urban environments.
In the context of slow urbanism and sustainable urban expansion, this project offers a compelling vision for high-density, low-footprint housing that could be further enhanced by reinforcing its relationship with nature, public space, and the sensory experience of its inhabitants. With continued refinement, this project could set an important precedent for adaptive reuse in high-density urban environments.