Nogueira – Paredes de Coura

At a walkable distance from the main square of Paredes de Coura, a plot of land has been designated for new housing. The area was studied with the aim of developing affordable homes. In an initial phase, three models were explored: A) terraced or row housing, B) small apartment buildings, and C) one large apartment block. Each model demonstrated how different housing types could be integrated into the existing terraced landscape characterised by socalcos, granite, and grass.

In the second phase, a single masterplan is now being developed, based on a combination of the principles tested in models A and B. This plan will accommodate 50 housing units of various typologies (T1, T2, T3). A central square (largo) is also proposed, introducing a meaningful meeting place for the broader community.

A major aspect of the proposal is the transformation of the street layout within the intervention area.

Instead of conventional road profiles, the project introduces a network of shared-space streets, where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles coexist on equal terms. These streets follow the terraced topography, gently stepping down the slope, and form key connections between the clusters of housing. Their carefully calibrated gradients support full accessibility, while the absence of rigid kerbs and the use of continuous pavement materials encourage slower speeds and a more social, neighbourhood-based use of public space.

Public space is further shaped through landscaped embankments, diverse tree planting, and granite walls and steps that define the transitions between platforms. The construction strategy includes reinforced-concrete walls clad in granite, self-supporting low stone walls, and a gabion wall at the highest point. Urban furniture is distributed throughout the site, supporting the reimagined street environment by offering places to pause, meet, and enjoy the surrounding views.

Project