Hidden Layers
In response to the densification of cities, we need to maximise opportunities for under-used sites and reevaluate the efficiency of city layouts. This thesis investigates how backland and underground spaces can be reimagined and reinvigorated into the city.
As cities begin to decentralise cars, through the pedestrianisation of streets and a push for public transport, there is a decreasing requirement for car parks. This scheme explores adaptive reuse of a monofunctional, multi storey underground car park into a city archive collection and public space which is accessible to pedestrians and connects to street level. Due to the construction of underground spaces being highly energy intensive, repurposing these spaces is vital to ensure the carbon footprint of the building is not wasted.
Located in the Historic Centre of Oporto, the site sits at a crucial point in the city surrounded by buildings of importance such as the Clérigos Church/ Tower, Sao Bento train station, the Town Hall and the Sé Cathedral. Its position in the city, and the unique qualities of an underground building provide the perfect opportunity for the building as a city archive, with deep cave-like spaces ensuring protection for precious city collections. Considering the two adjacent metro stations and a high footfall, a subterranean street will connect the site to the metros, granting an experience to emerge from the ground, up into the courtyard.
In a city that is obsessed with facades, the underground void of the car park has no facades, and is instead, inward looking, provoking introspection on city objects, collections and stories. The thesis presents an inverted monument, occupying the underside of Porto.
