Joao Morgado shared with us one of his architectural photography. Designed by Paulo Merlini, the project is a Dental Clinic located in Oporto, Portugal.

courtesy Joao Morgado

The uncommon form, narrowness, vertical amplitude of the space and the two big glass façades placed on the main and back façade defined mainly the organization of the spaces. The reception and waiting room it's characterized by a big white box that floats in the air playing with the vertical amplitude of the space.

courtesy Joao Morgado

The interior of the box mimetizes the idea of being under a roof, giving the user a familiar sensation of comfort, and helping I'm to calm down before the treatment. From the "roof" a series of lamps float in the air, filling the space with light. The floating box stops the excessive light and consequent heat, coming from the main facade by the end of the day, on the other hand her big mass pushes the rest of the working spaces to the back façade. This receives a great sky light, with the ideal conditions for working.

courtesy Joao Morgado

Under the stair a mirror wall creates the illusion of a broadest space solving the narrowing sensation that one could feel on entering the room.

courtesy Joao Morgado

A very thin and elegant stair guides us to a resting/waiting room on the upper floor. Where we can find a window placed at feet level, this creates a strong visual relation with the ground floor letting us have a glance at the lamps from above. From the entrance perspective the window is a very important element, because it leads the eyes of the observer into a diagonal position. This movement of the head reinforces the importance of the box ceiling, and on the other hand brakes with the enclosure of the box giving the user the real notion of the all space.

courtesy Joao Morgado

courtesy Joao Morgado

On the stomatology room the user is placed facing a vegetation curtain. The idea is to create a distraction based on the movement of the leaves  so that the patient can focus on something else than the treatment itself, hopefully diminishing any unpleasant sensation caused by it.

courtesy Joao Morgado

+ Project facts

Project: Dental Clinic
Designer: Paulo Merlini
Location: Oporto, Portugal
Photograher: Joao Morgado – Architecture Photography

+ All images & drawing courtesy Paulo Merlini | photo by Joao Morgado

The Sweet Alchemy workshop is a tailor made space for the training of patisserie apprentices under the guidance and directorship of head pâtissier and owner Mr. Stelios Parliaros. It is located on the underground level of  the Sweet Alchemy patisserie. The idea for the workshop follows on the conceptual tracks of the Sweet Alchemy patisserie project. The mental journey to the practice of alchemy with its mysterious laboratories and intricate devices progresses to the notion of the alchemist guilds of medieval times. The alchemist guilds were associations of master alchemists that employed young people as helpers in exchange for vocational training and shelter. Most apprentices aspired to becoming master alchemists themselves on completion of their contract.

courtesy Kois Associated Architects | photo by GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS

The organization of the workshop draws on attributes of the master's workshop such as the positioning of the main working surface and the uninterrupted display of the materials and tools. A pâtissier training demands direct and uninterrupted observation of the whole process of preparing and baking. The grand table is centered to the rear edge of the space to allow for the apprentices to gather around the master and observe freely. The work surface is framed by various sizes metal box shelves that are stacked together in an informal arrangement forming a wall .The shelves hold the raw materials contained in a variety of vessels, the books, tools, the electrical devices, all displayed in an open, articulated and comprehensive manner.This wall acts as a material pallet for the students to observe and learn. Furthermore it acts a spatial diaphragm that separates the main space designated for teaching from auxiliary spaces like the storage rooms located on the other side.

courtesy Kois Associated Architects | photo by GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS

Behind the grand table there is another working surface which incorporates the glass ceramic cooktops and the sink. The working surface is dichotomized by a vertical metal display tray where various tools of the trade are stored and organized according to the demands of each lesson. The table near the staircase is where the final stage of the lesson takes place. It is there that the tasting and the critique of the creations are conducted and where the students can have their own slice of alchemy. The spatial arrangement is based on bilateral symmetry. Its axis is dictated by the central exposed concrete beam that runs the length of the space. The idea was to introduce a centralized amphitheatric spatial configuration in order to provide for unobstructed views to the working area. The masters table becomes the vanishing point of the space and the focal point of the users.

courtesy Kois Associated Architects | photo by GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS

The materials selection was guided by the atmosphere we wanted to create and their compatibility with each other. We looked upon the reaction of radiances of different materials in order to create a unique composition. Iron, copper and oak were selected for their natural characteristics, color texture, firmness and were only processed but not altered in order to emulate an appearance. Oak was used due to its density and mass that counteract the weight of the exposed concrete. Copper was used for its warm radiance that complements the oak, and blackened iron for its subtle and fleeting glow. The working surfaces were made of black Corian which was selected because it is a hard, inert, nonporous material that meets the hygienic criteria and in addition balances the rich texture and surface of the reclaimed wooden concrete casting boards that were used for the construction of the master's table.

courtesy Kois Associated Architects | photo by GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS

Our intention was to create a space that you would enter and begin to feel you could stay there, not a theatrical set, a representation of a long gone environment but a theatre of life that would resonate its atmosphere to all its visitors. The sense of mythical, the mysterious discovery and the transition to another reality were the characteristics of the 'Sweet Alchemy' of Mr. Parliaros and those we wanted to transfuse to the Workshop project.

The ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery.

Luis Barragan

+ Project facts

LOCATION: KIFISIA, ATHENS, GREECE
YEAR: 2012
TYPE: COMMERCIAL
SIZE: 88m2
STATUS: COMMISSION
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT: KOIS STELIOS
PROJECT LEADER: MARIELINA STAVROU
DESIGN TEAM: PATSIAOURAS NIKOS, PHILIPOS MANOLAS
PHOTOGRAPHY: GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS (www. gsfak.com)