Submission: April 19, 2015
Registration: April 17, 2015
Language: English
Location: Monsanto. Lisbon, Portugal
Prizes: 1st €500+extras, 2nd €250+extras , 3rd €150+extras
Type: Open to all
The Monsanto Forest Park is located in the Serra de Monsanto, municipality of Lisbon. With an area of about 900HA composed by large areas of diverse woods, about 10% of Lisbon’s municipality. The park includes play areas that provide residents and visitors a variety of activities such as extreme sports, hiking, outdoor activities, plays, concerts, fairs, and exhibitions.
Although the dense forest is not a welcoming place for man, its contrast with the few open panoramic views of the city, the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean, make the Monsanto Forest Park a very attractive area in terms of landscape. At the top of the park, with the best view over Lisbon, lies the venue for this contest – The Monsanto Panoramic Restaurant.
Geographic coordinates: 38°43’42”N 9°11’5”W
CLUE ELEMENTS
The objective of the Nature Observatory of Monsanto contest (NOM) is the creation of ideas for a project in which the nature immersion experiences from Monsanto Forest Park, the unique views over the city of Lisbon, Tagus River, and ocean can be learned and observed through intimate contact with nature.
The use of the pre-existing abandoned building of Monsanto Panoramic Restaurant is optional, however, and with a wide area of intervention is encouraged reflection on the structure present there.
The Nature Observatory of Monsanto (NOM) aims to be an innovative reference to the dissemination of knowledge about the diversity of the natural environment of Monsanto, providing spaces for educational activities integrated in a free and natural environment, as well as becoming a mandatory waypoint for tourist route along the Forest Park.
Taking into account the strong viewpoint character of Lisbon, the project should establish a close dialogue with the landscape and natural surroundings of this unique situation, taking advantage of the fact that it is located above any viewpoint in the city.
Sustainability and self-sufficiency of the project are also important points to be evaluated.
Since this is an area of difficult access, it can be a starting point for a reflection on the relationship between the Observatory’s intervention area and the rest of the Forest Park.
The incentive is to think of a space that dominates the visitor/nature relationship, a space that encourages eco-tourism and invites the public to learn about the importance of taking care of the environment.
PROGRAM
Projective suggestions are outlined and may or may not be implemented, leaving it to the participant’s project design criteria.
Although it is a contest of ideas, applicants should take into account the feasibility of the proposals submitted in order to provide a degree of realism and viability to the project.
– Observatory
– Surveillance Outpost
– Multipurpose Room / Exhibition Room
– Coffee Shop / Store
– Camping / temporary Dormitory
– Outdoor activities (bike rental; tracking; garden; artistic projections, outdoor cinema or theatre and other activities)
JURY
Arch. Ricardo Bak Gordon
Arch. João Mendes Ribeiro
Arch. João Pedro Falcão de Campos
Arch. Pedro Sousa
Arch. Diogo Burnay
REGISTRATION
Special Registration: from 15/01/2015 to 15/02/2015: € 20,00
Regular Registration: from 16/02/2015 to 15/03/2015: € 25,00
Extraordinary Registration: from 16/03/2015 to 17/04/2015: € 30,00