Garcia D’Orta Secondary School – Bak Gordon – Portugal

Location: Boavista, Porto

Design phase: 04.2008

Constrution phase: 2010-2011

Client: Parque Escolar EPE

Architect: Ricardo Bak Gordon

Collaborators: Luís Pedro Pinto, Nuno Velhinho, Pedro Serrazina, Sonia Silva, Vera Higino, Walter Perdigão

Engineering consultants: Estruturas BETAR, Infraestruturas RGA / BETAR, Paisagismo FCAP

General contractor: Cantinhos / ACF

Site area: 26.250 m2

Built area: 3280 m2

Cost: 11 M.€

The modernization project of the School Garcia de Orta, based on the construction of a new building, whose location, program and relationship with the existing built and empty spaces, can set a new centrality in the plot, providing the school new program areas essential to the new times.

This building, placed longitudinally in relation to school grounds, and an intermediate elevation view of the morphology of the terrain, allows the creation of a covered outdoor plaza that will serve as the epicenter of the whole school life, and supports two built spaces where we find the library, auditorium, bar / cafeteria, laboratories as well as other support equipment.