ARCHITECTURE: Ricardo Bak Gordon _______________________________________________ ADDRESS: Monte do Marmelo, IP8, Ferreira do Alentejo _______________________________________________ CITY: Ferreira do Alentejo ______________________________________________ DATE: 2009-2010 _______________________________________________ VISIT: Inside - Outside _______________________________________________ MORE DETAILS:
In November of 2010 the largest olive press in the country was inaugurated: 5.500m2.
The challenge put forth to the architect was to design an olive press, attempting to simultaneously respond to two premises: on one hand the projects industrial needs, on the other, becoming a design reference and a modern landmark.
Integrated in the middle of an olive grove in deep Alentejo, it was necessary, according to the author, “to insert the building in the landscape without damaging it”. The use of yellow toned polycarbonate, induced by the typical colour of olive oil, leads towards that intent. Other than the olive press for the production of olive oil, the program also contemplates a laboratory and cultural areas for events and school visits.
According to Ricardo Bak Gordon “the project was inspired in the olive oil’s purity and essence, and headed to find a building that was intended functional and symbolic”. He adds that “the new structure extends in the landscape like an white and abstract volume close to our imaginary”. _______________________________________________
