In the current global crisis, the project tries to handle a low cost material, the concrete block, by using a local knowledge. The Alfama district has a very pronounced architectural style given by both the azulejos and the mannerist historic buildings.

The project takes place within a plaza opened toward the sea. This spot offers an impressive view of some historic buildings of Lisbon. On the west, the plaza is closed by the massive mannerist façade of the St. Vincent de Fora monastery. By using concrete blocks, the project seeks to deal with that stylistic question, an inherent value of the context.

The edifice is placed at the far end of the plaza, slightly misadjusted and in front of the monastery. Those simple interventions refocus the plaza by creating a tension with the building. We wander around the edifice as we would do around the esplanade. The form is the result of the assembly process (module given by the concrete block), the economic context (simple angles enable to use the concrete blocks as they are) and the place (humility regarding the surrounded buildings).

The assembling process of the concrete blocks lead to two types of atmospheres. The outside building rethinks the pattern created by the assemblage of the azulejos while absorbing external environmental nuisances. On the contrary, the inside mounting process is done to emphasize the research of inside space fluidity. Those spaces are organized around a central block which managed all the inside circulation. They are designed to create an inner promenade based on space and light. This specific interest concerning the light takes several forms, absences of concrete blocks within the assemblage, openings or inner courtyard.