The Final project in the architecture bachelor's programme at Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul is an individual project where the students choose the subject they want to work with. I chose the rehabilitation of an antique beer factory located in Pelotas, a city best known for its architectural heritage. The building is located near the port in a former industrial area full of abandoned buildings of the same typology. Nowadays, the building belongs to Federal University of Pelotas. The purpose is to build a cultural center connected to the Mercosul Integration Center, which is a department within the university. In addition to the cultural center, there would be a park with direct connection both with the building and the shore. I believe the project would bring interest to the area and help boost its revitalization, making the area safer and more attractive to the public.
The brief was based on interviews and research to map the requirements of the university and the city, since the building would be partly open for the community. The layout was designed to control public access to the sectors independently.
The additions containing the schools and support facilities to this historic building creates contrast between the old and the new. The contrast was obtained by chosing contemporary materials and vivid colors both in the interior and exterior.
When the original chimney was destroyed in the 1940s, the symbol of the industrial period was lost and the identity of the building weakened. My intention was to build a sculpture, placed in the original spot, as a homage to that chimney. At the same time, being positioned next to the observatory it would refer to a telescope structure that could be retracted when the observatory was being used.
