The project area of the competition is the ancient Quinta de Fora of the Mosteiro de São Bento, on the left side of Rio Ave in Santo Tirso. Here, there’s the Escola Professional Agrícola Conde São Bento whom core is located in the listed building of  the Monasterio de São Bento.

The principal volume took into consideration is the Sequeiro, that through rehabilitation and renovation represents the main premise of the project.

The extension allows redefining the principle entrance, disposing of a platform to stretch out the walkway coming from the access of the plot, that is on a lower ground level. Besides, we want to design a path that evaluates the building scene and the view towards the north.

The recovery of the Sequeiro, the Eira and the Casa is fundamental for the formal and functional distribution of the complex enlargement, putting the exposition area on the first floor and the hotel school on the second floor.

Functional distribution

Sequeiro and Eira Buildings:

• Auditorium, 100 seats
• Temporary exposition hall, designed as a multi-use space to host temporary expositions, lectures or didactical activities related to the scholar exchanges that the institute promotes. More events such as working meetings can be held in this space.
• Environmental Education Centre, little meetings area, dedicated to the development of environmental education for the community and visitors of the Escuela Profesional Agrícola. It includes a little administration office.
• Technical areas and complementary areas
• Guard’s house, built upon its original localization

Owner’s ancient house also named “Casa”:

Restaurant and Hospitality lessons take place here, where such as a little accommodation structure, a restaurant, a kitchen, are located.