Arquitectura modular (re)configurável : case study Bemposta-Mogadouro

Abstract

O presente trabalho de investigação tem como objectivo a divulgação e valorização da Arquitectura Modular (Re)Configurável como resposta a diferentes problemáticas actuais, aplicando-a a um caso de estudo em Bemposta. Permitindo que um determinado espaço, constituído por módulos, seja susceptível a alterações, no todo ou em partes, de uma forma consideravelmente mais fácil, o seu carácter flexível tem como vantagem a adaptação dos mesmos espaços a diferentes funções de acordo com as necessidades humanas. Este tipo de arquitectura contrasta, assim, com a arquitectura dita convencional que depois de materializada é estática e optimizada apenas para uma funcionalidade prevista em projecto, não deixando grande espaço à sua adaptação a novas funcionalidades. Esta situação é flagrante nas construções do meio rural português que contemplam um carácter estático e pouco adaptável às necessidades actuais, uma vez que uma das características mais vincadas da sociedade actual é, precisamente, a efemeridade das suas necessidades. Verificamos assim que esta característica das aldeias portuguesas não contribui para a inversão da tendência de êxodo rural e nem, por conseguinte, para a preservação do seu património edificado. Utilizando como caso de estudo a aldeia transmontana de Bemposta, nesta dissertação procuraremos compreender, e dar a conhecer à comunidade científica, até que ponto a arquitectura modular (re)configurável, baseada numa dinâmica participativa, pode responder às necessidades efémeras de ocupação dos conjuntos edificados das aldeias. Acreditamos ser possível contribuir para a revitalização de Bemposta através da arquitectura modular (re)configurável, uma vez que por ser facilmente adaptável às diferentes actividades sazonais rurais consoante a necessidade da população. Assim, é possível obter, por um lado, uma maior relação simbiótica entre o Homem e o meio rural e, por outro, o aumento da sua autossuficiência através da optimização dos espaços, racionando o construído e diminuindo a pegada ecológica. Abstract: The present research paper aims to disseminate and valorise the (re) configurable modular architecture as a response to the different current problems, applying it to a case study in Bemposta. Allowing a certain space, composed module, to be susceptible to changes in whole or in part in a considerably easy way, its flexible character has the advantage to adapt the same space to different functions according to the human needs. Therefore, this kind of architecture contrasts with conventional architecture, which is static after it is materialised and only optimised to a foreseen functionality in the project, not leaving much room to its adaptation to new functionalities. This situation is flagrant in rural areas constructions, which present a static and little adaptable character to the current needs since one of the most pronounced characteristics of modern society is precisely the ephemerality of its needs. We have thus verified that this characteristic of the Portuguese villages does not contribute to the inversion of the rural exodus trend, nor consequently to the preservation of the built heritage. Using as a case study the village of Bemposta, in this dissertation, we will seek to understand, and to share with the scientific community, to what extent the (re)configurable modular architecture, based on a participative dynamic, can meet the ephemeral occupational needs of the built constructions of the villages. We believe that it is possible to contribute to the revitalization of Bemposta through (re)configurable modular architecture since it is easily adaptable to the different seasonal rural activities according to the population’s needs. Therefore, it is possible to obtain, on one hand, a greater symbiotic relationship between Man and the rural environment; and on the other hand, an increase of its self-sufficiency through the optimization of spaces, rationalising the built and decreasing the ecological footprint.

The present research paper aims to disseminate and valorise the (re) configurable modular architecture as a response to the different current problems, applying it to a case study in Bemposta. Allowing a certain space, composed module, to be susceptible to changes in whole or in part in a considerably easy way, its flexible character has the advantage to adapt the same space to different functions according to the human needs. Therefore, this kind of architecture contrasts with conventional architecture, which is static after it is materialised and only optimised to a foreseen functionality in the project, not leaving much room to its adaptation to new functionalities. This situation is flagrant in rural areas constructions, which present a static and little adaptable character to the current needs since one of the most pronounced characteristics of modern society is precisely the ephemerality of its needs. We have thus verified that this characteristic of the Portuguese villages does not contribute to the inversion of the rural exodus trend, nor consequently to the preservation of the built heritage. Using as a case study the village of Bemposta, in this dissertation, we will seek to understand, and to share with the scientific community, to what extent the (re)configurable modular architecture, based on a participative dynamic, can meet the ephemeral occupational needs of the built constructions of the villages. We believe that it is possible to contribute to the revitalization of Bemposta through (re)configurable modular architecture since it is easily adaptable to the different seasonal rural activities according to the population’s needs. Therefore, it is possible to obtain, on one hand, a greater symbiotic relationship between Man and the rural environment; and on the other hand, an increase of its self-sufficiency through the optimization of spaces, rationalising the built and decreasing the ecological footprint.