Environmental Interpretation Centre of Fajã da Caldeira do Santo Cristo, São Jorge Island

The environmental interpretation center articulates and controls the entire area that, in the future, it will also include a campsite which will be established in Faja da Caldeira do Santo Cristo. It is thus, the first contact information intended to disclose in situ and shall have as an essential function, the explanation of the environmental values at this location are of high value, namely:
• streamline and enrich the visitation of Faja de Santo Cristo;
• awakening the environmental education related to the interpretation of the values of landscape and countryside;
• create interpretive natural routes and architectural heritage;
• develop knowledge of marine and coastal habitats, as well as its diverse fauna and flora;
The entire project consists of 2 buildings: the Environmental Interpretation Center and an apartment to support research, reconstructed according to the original plans. The surrounding stone walls were kept and redefined, as well as the existing drinking water sources.

Building 1:
The first building, the Center for Interpretation and Environmental Monitoring, consists of two floors, an existing interaction between modern and traditional. With the shape of a T (architecture prevalent in traditional houses of Fajã), the main body relives the features and design of the original facade, keeping the sash windows and doors of stature, including the materials, whether it be the wood frames or the doorposts and beams in basalt stone from the region. The perpendicular body formerly designed the kitchen, keeps the facades and stone chimney in sight, introducing, however, some contemporary elements, so the connection with the campsite is forthcoming.

Building 2:
The second building, intended for a temporary apartment, appears on the array from a previous roof, modernized and adapted according to the new functions which it is intended. It incorporates 2 floors, functioning almost as an open-space: Floor 0 consists of the kitchen and living room and the 1st floor consists of the bathroom and bedroom.

Client: Government of the Azores
Architect: Ana Laura Vasconcelos
Engineering: Batiaçores, Lda
Project date: 2007/2008
Construction date: 2009/2011
Site area: total area - 1275m2
Site area: building area - 256m2