This spectacular site along Porto’s historic Riverfront offers a unique opportunity to re-imagine the Douro River promenade, and create an original urban experience that establishes new relations with the water element and the dramatic topography of the city.

Our design proposal unfolds throughout the length of the site and literally outlines the program by engraving the water surface using circulation axis and paths. The primary goal is to create an entirely new perspective where the visitor experiences Porto walking below water level!

The promenade is split between a permanent construction that is attached to the existing retaining wall, and a light, floating deck that accommodates all the uses adjacent to the water. While the permanent construction holds the “hard”infrastructure” the floating part flexibly adjusts to the fluctuating level of the river. This duality also offers the possibility for incremental completion of the project through clear and consecutive building phases.

The Deck is distinguished in three sectors; the Cruise Pier, the Swimming Plaza, and the Activities Center. All three segments are surrounded by water of the Douro River, and connected through the “Engraving Axis”, and the Arcade.

The composition is crowned by the Tower, a concrete volume at the very end of the promenade that houses the restaurant, a spa, and the sailing pavilion. The Tower, aspires to offer a new point of reference in Porto’s stunning urban-scape.