A new beach support facility has opened at Praia da Barra in Ílhavo, Portugal, designed by Lousinha Arquitectos. The 276-square-meter structure, completed in 2020, represents an innovative approach to coastal architecture with its distinctive circular design.
The building was constructed in compliance with the Ovar-Marinha Grande Coastal Zone Management Plan, which has been in effect since 2017. The plan required the facility to be relocated east of the existing boardwalk that connects local beaches, necessitating the demolition of the previous structure. The new location was strategically chosen to minimize environmental impact while serving beachgoers effectively.
Architect Paulo Lousinha and his design team, including José Miguel Figueiredo, Rafael Sangareau, and Shen Qian, opted for an annular geometry that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. The circular plan shields users from prevailing northerly winds while providing protection for the south-facing terrace. This design choice also reduces visual impact by aligning the ring's internal void with one of the dune's highest points.
The architects drew inspiration from traditional Portuguese coastal architecture, particularly the distinctive timber palheiros typical of the region. The lightweight, demountable structure stands on timber piles using stilt construction methods. The load-bearing base consists of an elevated reticulated frame built entirely of glue-laminated timber beams and columns, demonstrating sustainable building practices.
Construction details reveal the precision required for the circular design. Each circumference was divided into twenty-four arcs, with twenty-four identical portal frames supporting an equal number of ring segments. The layout was executed using traditional surveying methods, including a giant compass and set square, to position the forty-eight piles that support the entire structure.
The facility incorporates both internal partitions and external cladding using dry-joint assemblies without mortars, allowing for potential disassembly. The external envelope combines thermally modified timber with glass elements, while the roof features a 5-degree pitch built from timber sandwich panels. Waterproofing is achieved through PVC membranes, with zinc flashings along the outer edge and PVC profiles on the inner edge.
Sustainable design features include glazed bays facing the outer ring, composed of three panels with two fixed elements and one vertically sliding sash to encourage natural cross-ventilation. This focus on passive ventilation and natural lighting extends throughout the building, including the kitchen, staff changing rooms and showers, beach equipment storage, public restrooms, and first-aid station.
The facility includes a terrace screened by herringbone timber weaving that continues across the interior ceiling, creating visual continuity. A deck on the east side of the boardwalk serves as the main entrance, inviting visitors inside. To ensure accessibility relative to existing paths, the surrounding dune system required regrading, with sand relocated westward to consolidate the primary dune and create a more stable foundation resistant to erosion and storm damage.
