House of Agostos, by Pedro Domingos, 2011 - Santa Barbara-de-Nexe, Faro, Portugal

The transformative substance of this project consists of a parcel of land that is integrated into the agricultural system of Barrocal and a small house in ruins. The ruin of traditional genesis, displays the characteristics of the vernacular architecture of the Algarve. The strategy consists on clarifying the limits of the central space of property - a void enclosed by the ruin and the “hedges” and the upland trees.

Nossa Senhora das Necessidades Church, by Célia Faria and Inês Cortesão, 2011 - in Chãs, Leiria, Portugal

The intervention is based on a building previously constructed, where the interior was unfinished. We started with the idea of “building the silence”: in a world full of noise, the church represents a break, a moment of rest, peace and meditation. The strong spiritual character is present but doesn’t intimidate, it gives a sense of protection. The selection of materials, the way of moulding both natural and artificial light and the absence of images had the purpose of achieving harmony, a primarily condition in order to assure silence.

Our Lady of Conception Chapel (Brennand Chapel), by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, 2006  - in Recife, Brazil

The project is an incredible revitalization of an old abandoned chapel made of brick-and-stone, with a floating roof that don´t touch the original walls, supported by two pillars.

Ambiente (Environment), by Ana Vieira, 1972 

Tubular Structure, nets, chairs, plinth and reprodutcion of the Venus de Milo

Fasano Las Piedras Hotel, by Isay Weinfeld, 2008 - in Punta del Este, Uruguay

Miyake Design Studio Gallery, by Shigeru Ban, 1994 - in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

The building’s plan is based upon the Grecian agora - a space created simply by columns and shade. The outer row of paper tubes cast striped shadows across the floor, which change during the day, and provide a sense of animation. The ceiling casts a curved shadow on the paper tube and chairs were created specifically for this space.

Untitled, by Donald Judd, 1966 , Stainless steel and yellow Plexiglas

Saint Francis de Sales Church, by Marcel Breuer, 1966 - in Muskegon, Michigan, USA

Known for his curving Brutalist forms, Breuer employed a hyperbolic paraboloid with angled openings for function daylighting. A massive cross relief sits below a cantilevered belfry.

Arab World Institute, by Jean Nouvel, 1988 - in Paris, France

Islamic motiffs of screened light and complex geometry inspired brise soleil exterior walls that filter the light with meaningful shadows.

Meiso no Mori Funeral Hall, by Toyo Ito, 2006 - in Kakamigahara City, Gifu, Japan

The team didn’t seek a monument or stately ediface, but a “gentle snowfall had settled lightly upon the site to form a broad and generous roof.”

The ambiguity of inside versus outside is treated delicately with graceful gestures and celebration of light. The physical tabernacle is not celebrated in with this ambiguity, nor the human body, but the thin line between physical object and spiritual.