Search
A cinderblock pavilion inspired by circular geometry, the spirit of community and sustainable architecture.
Designed by ATA Atelier for the Forma da Vizinhança Festival in Quinta da Capela, Braga, Portugal, Rotação (Rotation) is a temporary pavilion that explores concepts of sustainability, collective memory, and the symbolism of the circle. The architectural concept is deeply rooted in place, referencing both the history of the site and its features. Next to the structure, a jacaranda tree saved by the local community anchors the design while inspiring its round shape. Built entirely from reused, found and leftover materials, Rotação offers a blueprint for eco-friendly and sustainable architecture designed for public spaces.
The studio envisioned the pavilion at Quinta da Capela as a temporary structure that allows easy disassembly and reconstruction elsewhere. Using different cinderblocks, the team created a circular wall that envelops a meeting area for the community. The raw, unfinished concrete blocks create a dynamic rhythm while also changing subtly as natural light hits openings, gaps and protrusions. Inside, a salvaged metal structure sourced from a local warehouse provides support to a light mesh roof that gently allows sunlight to filter through into the gathering space. Finally, circular chairs and tables offer the perfect way to relax and socialize in a place profoundly connected to the local community, the site’s history, and the city’s construction industry. Photography© José Campos.
