The actual House of Arts, originally an 18th century building, classified in 1982 as an Immovable of Public Interest, and known as "Casa do Terreiro" (Terrace’s House) or "Casa do Conselheiro" (Counsel’s House), occupying a special area next to the “Jardim dos Centenários” (Centenarians’ Garden) between the Parish and the Holy Spirit Churches.
Its construction dates back around the second half of the 18th century by Pereira de Vilhena’ family initiative, who in 1810 gave the property away to the "Conselheiro" (Counsel) Gaspar de Azevedo Araújo. Later on, the house is sold to the industrialist Dias Gonçalves. Typologically, considered an architectural space integrated in the so-called “casa-comprida” (Long-house), of rectangular plant, with a background facade of three floors, originally a direct connection to the “Vez”’ river. The first floor presents an arcade, the second a loggia with columns under plinth subsequently closed for creating a winter garden. At the main floor level, is a magnificent skylight and five halls decorated with painted canvases and minutia’s stucco craft. To the East emerges the chapel and its altarpiece carved in “Baroque" style as well as the kitchen area with a large chimney built on pillars. The frontispiece of two floors, is divided into three bodies, distinguishing the noble entry. The emblazoned element existing, probably replaced a similar element belonging to the family’s founder house.
An intervention developed within the Municipal Arts House area was settled on recovery of the 18th century building, through the installation of a cultural space with a library, an auditorium and an exhibition area. In this sense, the municipality’s bet was to focus on the expansion of eminently cultural spaces. The infrastructure and building equipment will allow the development of new modalities linked to the cultural and artistic production in its various thematic components: film, music, visual arts, theatre, amongst others, by supporting the creation and cultural production, motivating and promoting local events, otherwise unworkable. The development of this project and the organizational logic of cultural events, focus on the achievement of diversified initiatives, trying to capture the attention of different age groups, and cultures, stimulating, similarly, the population and the promotion of cultural heritage. The intervention area includes a modern and functional unit, including the “Tomaz Figueiredo”’ Municipal Library, inserted in the Public’s reading National Network as well as specific areas dedicated to children and youth training activities, expression Studio, warehouse and storage areas, areas of consulting and loan and audio-visuals broadcasting section.
Connected to it, but with the possibility to operate autonomously; is an Auditorium with 234 seats, integrating a Foyer with temporary exhibitions and various support units. The capacity and features of the main space are significant: the cinematic projection unit, for example, includes high quality equipment, adaptable to a variety of formats, with sound processing elements of the last generation providing digital signal decoding capacity. This equipment is reinforced by complementary elements, like sound stage and lighting ones for theatrical performances and/or medium-sized performances, as well as conferences, with the possibility of simultaneous translation (if needed), a voting system and multimedia presentation. From an architectural point of view, was elaborated a program valuing historical context, safeguarding the elements of great additional value, integrating them into a new feature space and markedly different objectives from the original property. Regarding this cultural and historical spirit of preservation, a special attention was given to its rich set of decorated ceilings, its screens, and the unique central skylight. The architectural plan allowed, likewise, to resize the Eastern facade, valorising and gratifying the set of arches and colonnades, creating a harmonious and complementary atmosphere with an entirely new element: the Auditorium.
Location: Arcos de Valdevez
Its construction dates back around the second half of the 18th century by Pereira de Vilhena’ family initiative, who in 1810 gave the property away to the "Conselheiro" (Counsel) Gaspar de Azevedo Araújo. Later on, the house is sold to the industrialist Dias Gonçalves. Typologically, considered an architectural space integrated in the so-called “casa-comprida” (Long-house), of rectangular plant, with a background facade of three floors, originally a direct connection to the “Vez”’ river. The first floor presents an arcade, the second a loggia with columns under plinth subsequently closed for creating a winter garden. At the main floor level, is a magnificent skylight and five halls decorated with painted canvases and minutia’s stucco craft. To the East emerges the chapel and its altarpiece carved in “Baroque" style as well as the kitchen area with a large chimney built on pillars. The frontispiece of two floors, is divided into three bodies, distinguishing the noble entry. The emblazoned element existing, probably replaced a similar element belonging to the family’s founder house.
An intervention developed within the Municipal Arts House area was settled on recovery of the 18th century building, through the installation of a cultural space with a library, an auditorium and an exhibition area. In this sense, the municipality’s bet was to focus on the expansion of eminently cultural spaces. The infrastructure and building equipment will allow the development of new modalities linked to the cultural and artistic production in its various thematic components: film, music, visual arts, theatre, amongst others, by supporting the creation and cultural production, motivating and promoting local events, otherwise unworkable. The development of this project and the organizational logic of cultural events, focus on the achievement of diversified initiatives, trying to capture the attention of different age groups, and cultures, stimulating, similarly, the population and the promotion of cultural heritage. The intervention area includes a modern and functional unit, including the “Tomaz Figueiredo”’ Municipal Library, inserted in the Public’s reading National Network as well as specific areas dedicated to children and youth training activities, expression Studio, warehouse and storage areas, areas of consulting and loan and audio-visuals broadcasting section.
Connected to it, but with the possibility to operate autonomously; is an Auditorium with 234 seats, integrating a Foyer with temporary exhibitions and various support units. The capacity and features of the main space are significant: the cinematic projection unit, for example, includes high quality equipment, adaptable to a variety of formats, with sound processing elements of the last generation providing digital signal decoding capacity. This equipment is reinforced by complementary elements, like sound stage and lighting ones for theatrical performances and/or medium-sized performances, as well as conferences, with the possibility of simultaneous translation (if needed), a voting system and multimedia presentation. From an architectural point of view, was elaborated a program valuing historical context, safeguarding the elements of great additional value, integrating them into a new feature space and markedly different objectives from the original property. Regarding this cultural and historical spirit of preservation, a special attention was given to its rich set of decorated ceilings, its screens, and the unique central skylight. The architectural plan allowed, likewise, to resize the Eastern facade, valorising and gratifying the set of arches and colonnades, creating a harmonious and complementary atmosphere with an entirely new element: the Auditorium.
Location: Arcos de Valdevez
