The scope of this project consisted in the conception of an industrial facility for EDP, a global energy company, to act as a base for the observation and control of a dam in case of emergency.

Located in Ermida, in Portugal’s midlands, this area is defined by a beautiful course of water and is surrounded by a large forest.

The building needed to stay in an elevated location, protected from floods and allowing a perfect view from its interior to the dam. This made it necessary to intervene in the landscape, resulting in an elevated level platform and vehicle access leading to the entrance of the building.

Designing an industrial building in a forest area, with occasional traditional constructions with pitched roofs in the surroundings, allowed me to think about how a contemporary industrial building might fit in this landscape.

How could this building avoid being just another contemporary ‘box’?

Could a contemporary building interpret, in a modern way, the traditional constructions visible in its surroundings?

Dams and associated buildings, in Portugal, are traditionally built in concrete.

Ermida, the name of the location, means small church or chapel.

With this in mind, the idea of designing, a building with a concrete pitched roof emerged.

A contemporary industrial project that could reinterpret traditional roofs covered with tiles and also identify with the name of the location.

The concrete appeared as a continuous shell – skin and skeleton – that served as walls and roof, as well as finishing and waterproofing material.

In between, covering both the front and rear facades, other materials such as aluminium and glass emerged:

• The entrance was defined as totally opaque in aluminium, with the exception of two glazed doors, announcing the main door;
• The rear facade oversaw the dam, totally in glass, except an area where ventilation was required.

This materiality emphasized the concrete contour.

A contemporary industrial building that aimed to reinterpret traditional constructions, honour the location´s name and respect the materiality of the architectural history at EDP.