sete cidades lakeside facilities | sete cidades | são miguel | açores | portugal
2008 | 2014 with Eduardo Souto de Moura
Located on the banks of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades in the Azores, this project addresses the delicate balance between new infrastructure and the protection of a unique volcanic landscape. Conceived as a modest yet precise intervention, the ensemble of buildings enhances community access and recreational use of the lake while fully respecting its natural and cultural context.
The first phase of construction (2007–2013) involved a series of lightweight modular structures, composed of 6.0 × 6.0 m and 6.0 × 5.0 m metal-framed modules. The modularity allows for programmatic flexibility, with the number and arrangement of units tailored to specific functional needs.
Two typologies were established: enclosed buildings, such as the boat hangar, spa, and auxiliary services, are clad in composite panels that replicate the appearance of local basalt stone, referencing the regional identity while improving technical performance. The open-use buildings, namely the yacht club and lakeside café, combine solid elements with transparent glazed sections, offering open views to the lake and landscape.
All structures are aligned parallel to the lakefront and access road, emphasizing horizontality and blending with the terrain. Entrances are placed on the side façades, preserving the clean linearity of the lake-facing elevation. Where required, buildings incorporate protected internal courtyards adjacent to technical service zones, ensuring efficient environmental control.
The result is a discreet architectural language that reinforces the site's identity, anchoring human presence in the landscape without disrupting its serenity.
project
sete cidades lakeside facilities and urban design
client
azorina sociedade gestão ambiental e conservação natureza sa | secretaría regional do ambiente e do mar
location
sete cidades, são miguel, açores, portugal
date
2008 | 2014
intervention area
13 200 sqm
architecture
adriano pimenta with eduardo souto de moura
collaborators
ana ferreira, andré campos, carolina salcedo, joão jesus, maria vasconcelos, tiago coelho
engineering coordinator
paulo silva (afa consult)
structural engineer
afa consult
landscape architect
arqt. off
hydraulic engineer
paulo silva (afa consult)
electrical engineer
raul serafim & associados (afa consult)
mechanical engineer
afa consult
acoustic engineer
afa consult
photos
luis ferreira alves & ap archive
contrator
somague, tecnovia
