Neo-Realism New Museum

The building of the new Neo-Realism Museum to be built by Vila Franca de Xiras Municipal Council, in a block between the streets of Alves Redol and Almeida Garrett, is aimed to give emphasis to culture and architecture in the city. The project structure was defined by studies which embodied the criteria for a safe, durable and functional structure. The buildings structure is made of one single block with a basement and three stories above ground. The basement shall accommodate technical services; level 0 will be dedicated to exhibitions, an auditorium, a shop and cafeteria, with other levels being filled by exhibitions and administrative areas. Open spaces starting at level 1 will be the surroundings for the exhibition areas which will be growing in area from level to level, whereas the entrance hall is characterised by an open space with diminishing heights from level to level.

This structural solution derives from the architectonics of the building. The façade is made of large blocks of reinforced concrete alternating with glassed areas, with the raised wall at North creating one beam wall three-stores high supporting the slab stones from level 1 to the basement. At the eastern elevation the reinforced concrete elements have no resistance factors, since practically only a small segment goes down to the foundations although one has to take into consideration the stress deriving from trying to make compatible the deformation of the various levels. The slab stones on each level are generally massive and are supported by the resistant elements of the façade, on the nuclear walls, in pillars placed according to the architectural stipulations, as well as being supported by a beam wall located at the axis “3”. The stone slabs on the technical level are 0.3 m thick, being the level 0 slab stone 0.35 m thick. The covering slab stone is a mushroom floor (a reinforced concrete slab supported by pillars with enlarged upper sections) with light concrete blocks and 0.35 m thick.

The characteristics of the wall-beam at axis “3” derive from the need to keep the entrance hall at level 0, free from vertical elements whilst creating a support for the stone slabs on the higher levels between axis “1” and “3”. Openings next to the staircase well E1 create lintels strongly reinforced. The underground level is pulled back in relation to the block but in the staircase area and the lift wells next to the south boundary and to the eastern elevation, in order to allow for the construction of a retention wall in a traditional manner. In the areas next to the boundary edge it is anticipated the building of a fence curtain.