Bio
Joao Jesus (b.1986, Portugal) completed a masters in Architecture at the University of Coimbra in 2010. That same year he started his internship in Pedro Brigida Arquitectos where he worked on a variety of projects. The exterior amenities for the Casa das Penhas Douradas, the Conchada Mausoleum, and the Colmeal Countryside Hotel are some examples.
// Joao Jesus e: jrrjesus@gmail.com t: 07521 077850 BS9 1LX
In 2013 moved to Dublin, and developed residential work for John Fleming Architects. He also had brief collaborations with LOTUS Architects and McCullough Mulvin Architects. Just before arriving in the UK (2018), he taught architecture drawing in the ARCA University. In Bristol, Joao worked for the International Design Group in such projects as the Hotel in Tbilisi (Georgia) and the Business Hub in Lisbon (Portugal). Later joins DHV Architects, where he has been involved in a considerably diverse range of projects. Alongside the in-house experts he has adquired a rounded experience. He worked in conservation (ex. Salisbury Cathedral, Church of the Holy Cross and University Chaplaincy); and participated in development strategic studies for the National Trust (Kingston Lacy, Woodchester Mansion, Tyntesfield, etc). He also assisted the design of community-led housing developments (ex. Bridge Farm); and surveyed, drew planning applications and building regulations for several residential dwellings. In his free time he enjoys both discovering the wonders of the english countryside and the vibrant artistic life of Bristol. You will find him often in various figure drawings sessions and urban sketching meetings.
HOSPITALITY // The hospitality sector is, in many parts of the world, the leader and promoter of development. It can also be incredibly damaging when applied in a rushed and uncontrolled way. Fortunately the interest of historic identity gains terrain in our collective sense of shared culture; and so does our need to learn and identify our past, and its building environment. The hospitality sector is intrinsically connected with the landscape that surrounds it. At Pedro Brigida, the chance to get acquainted with those two pillars of architecture heritage and landscape - came together in such projects as the Casa das Penhas Douradas, Colmeal Hotel and Casas do Coro.
Casa das Penhas Douradas 01 Parking lot Portugal, 2010
Located at an altitude of 1500 meters in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park (the highest mountain range in Portugal), the Casa das Penhas Douradas is a secluded Expedition-Hotel. Strong environmental concerns permeated its design. To the original 19th Century house were carefully added extensions inspired by local architecture. The use of natural materials such as cork and birch wood can be seen in the latest additions, the pool and spa building. The final phase of its development comprised the design of exterior amenities, such as the parking lot, entrance and bin collection points. Joao participated in a design strategy, aiming to mitigate its impact on the surrounding mountain landscape.
Casas do Coro 02 Hotel units Portugal, 2010
The Casa do Coro Hotel is located on the eastern end of the Beira Alta region, occupying the historic citadel core of Marialva village. It was necesseray to take an unusual conservation route, the hotel is divided in different units, each of them taking the place of derelict small existing dwellings. Composed of repurposed granite houses and eco cabins, it rendered new life to the growingly unpopulated Marialva Village. A new reception space (coupled with a single room unit) was designed within the same parameters that oriented the surrounding cells. The building was encased in the existing thick granite walls, therefore reducing its impact on the landscape. Not only was its mass carefully reduced, but its materials and colours also chosen in order to better integrate with the listed village.
Colmeal Countryside Hotel 03 Hotel development Portugal, 2011
Located in the remote Serra da Marofa, just a few miles from the Spanish border, lies the uninhabited Colmeal village. Comprised of a number of small runned-down stone rural dwellings including stables and barns - it is flanked by the imposing Cabral Manor, and preceded to the north by a church, and revealing the Colmeal river to the south. A comprehensive condition and strategical development study was produced, and established that, in order to preserve the remain heritage details of the site, a sensitive approach would need to be executed. The study proposed to situate the new hotel in the Cabral Manor where a new extension to the south would house all the hotel rooms. Small hotel accomodation units would be encased in the surrounding village houses, minimizing the intervention and keeping the essence of the natural and built environment.
CONSERVATION // It is of the most importance, in order to respond to the challenges of building today, to upgrade and rethink the existing structures around us. Preparing listed buildings on their transition to the XXI Century requires a number of sensibilities that often contradict its emergency of use. Assisting the conservation architects at DHVA, the repair works of historic and ecclesiastical buildings is of most significant interest, as it is the implementation of contemporary and sustainable solutions. Often working with the Catholic Diocese and the National Trust, in planning applications, strategy plans, energy and sustainability projects, visualization tools are required to see the work through.
Kingston Lacy 04 Infrastructure / Feasibility Study Dorset, 2019
Covering large areas of east Dorset, the Grade II listed Kingston Lacy was gifted to the National Trust in 1981. Since then, its annual visitor numbers have grown exponentially, putting a lot of pressure on its infrastructure. A feasibility study was required, and presented as the Rediscovering Kingston Lacy Project. It recommended ways to improve the visitor experience and, by solving its spatial idiosyncrasies, help to increase the present low spend per visitor in food, beverage and retail establishements on site. It included a new visitor welcome building, restaurant, a car park and a large ground source heat pump array. Site access, existing paths, and routes through the landscape were revised to maximise the use of the wider estate. Proposed play trails and better connections to the Kitchen Garden, would disperse the visitors on the larger estate grounds, therefore reducing the clustering in the main house.
Salisbury Cathedral 05 Entrance conservation Wiltshire, 2020
The visitor entrance to Salisbury Cathedral, through the Cloisters, is done by a non-original dark, steep and slippery concrete ramp. The absence of handrails compromises the safety of visitors and staff, putting the Cathedral at risk. The strategy was to remove the the existing internal concrete ramp and replace it with a gentler slope that complies to existing regulation. Made of honed Purbeck Grub, it matches the imediate surrounding. The existing threshold was replaced and the plinth completed with Chicksgrove stone. The door was lengthened carefully. But it was on the outside where the most delicate work took place removing the existing tarmac ramp and replacing it with sawn Forest of Dean sandstone paving, while a system of stainless steel slot drains was installed reducing the risk of water ingress.
Church of the Holy Cross 06 Roof Repairs Wiltshire, 2020
The Church of the Holy Cross in Sherston is a Grade I listed Norman church, with its main nave and north aisle roofs covered in thick Cotswold slates. Following its quinquennial inspection of 2018, it was concluded that the lead roofs to the porch and south aisle were in need of restoration. Longstanding issues with water penetration of the lead box gutters compelled its redesign and substitution. The roof works started in early May 2020. The lead was stripped for recasting, and repairs were carried out to the severely damp affected wall plates and joists, salvaging half of the historic roof boarding for re-use. Code 8 sand-cast lead was laid in the gutters and Code 7 on the flat roofs complying with the Lead Sheet Training Academy recommendations and manufactured at the West Country Tiling workshops. In this project I assisted the church architect in surveying and producing the packages for the roof work repairs.
Bristol Catholic Chaplaincy 07 Roof repairs Bristol, 2020
Located on Queens Road,the Bristol Catholic Chaplaincy is part of the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area. It is a Grade II listed building, surrounded by a general area of early Victorian limestone-ashlar terraced houses with concealed mansard pantile roofs. The existing copper cladded mansard roof was in very poor condition and needed alterations, as well as all the cast iron goods. The proposed design aimed to solve a number of issues with the current roof, which included the limited access for maintenance. The material compliance within the Conservation Area pushed the change from copper to zinc, with a design similar to the existing one. The roof works were just a part of the design strategy, which encopassed the whole building, and included a glass link building at ground floor level.
RESIDENTIAL // At DHVA, the residential work is plentiful, focusing on house refurbishments and extensions. The properties tend to be located in the historic centre of Bristol, often in specific conservation areas, where the planning requirements are of higher complexity. Joao assisted the lead architects in numerous property surveys, planning applications and subsequent building regulations. Different tools are required to guide the clients through the design process. The use of hand sketches and modelling tools are fundamental in achieving a joint design solution whilst responding to the idiosyncrasies of Bristol’s City Council planning rules.
Bridge Farm 08 Residential development Bristol, 2020
Comprised of a Grade II listed farmhouse and a number of outbuildings and barns in a poor state of repair - a study was comissioned to outline an affordable, sustainable and community-led housing development. The proposed housing development would provide 28 new-build units comprising 20 houses and 8 flats, with shared community facilities and extensive landscaping including communal allotments, amenity areas and wild planting. The inclined nature of the site, abutting to the M32 motorway, represented a significant challenge for the layout presented; a listed building application was necessary for the consent of the repair of the farmhouse as well as the conversion of three barns into residential units, and the conversion of the remaining barns into community buildings and craft workspaces.
Conchada Mausoleum 09 Small scale dwelling Portugal, 2010
The Conchada Cemetery in Coimbra is a Portuguese-listed structure. Designed in a neogothic manner, its burial structures are organized by streets and squares, just like a city. The mausoleums are built of Anca limestone, its light cream colour which gives the site a serene but bright appearance. A clear design was proposed complying with the urban requirements of the Cemetery: a small scale two-gabled roof dwelling, built entirely of Anca limestone and permitting the access of the bereaved. The design aimed to be completely absent of stone joints and ornaments of any kind, while alowing plenty of ventilation. Concerns raised about the safety and lighting of the interior led to the perforated minimalist rosace on the walls and ceiling of the building.
Dial Cottage 10 House Refurb and Extension Bristol, 2021
Dial Cottage is located in Julian Road (Bristol), within the Sneyd Park Conservation Area. It is a free standing 1930 cottage with living accomodation at ground floor level and bedrooms in the attic floor. The dominating feature is the large steeply pitched roof with plain clay tiles. The walls are rendered and it is surrounded by well kept gardens. Accessed by a pedestrian entrance at the front of the garden, and it is shielded from the road by a large yew hedge. It was proposed to replace the existing garage with a new single storey extension, including kitchen and dining room, and an additional bedroom. The materials proposed were in keeping with the existing setting. Due to safety concerns, a separate application aimed to increase the height of the front drive and pedestrian gate.
Turkey Barn 11 Barn Conversion Long Ashton, 2021
Gatcombe Farm is located in Long Ashton, within the curtilage of the Graded II listed Venitia’s Cottage and in a nearby area of a Scheduled Monument. Composed of a Pennant stone cottage with several outbuildings, it sits on a concrete base split in two levels. Its roof is trussed over steel columns and partly cladded with rusted corrugated steel. The proposed layout retained the barn in its original form and steel structure. Its rusted corrugated metal envelope would be replaced by PPC black corrugated metal and black painted aluminium windows. The open space layout follows the existing split levels: the lower accomodating the social areas to the west and a guest room to the east; the higher level open to the patio accomodating the kitchen and dining space. The bedrooms are at mezzanine level. A generous number of rooflights, are displayed on both gables illuminating the whole complex.
Atherton House
Atherton House, in the Downs Conservation area, and close to the grounds of Waltham Cottage, is a free standing house built in 80s. Generously set back from the main road, and with a long rear sloping garden, it is built in red brick with white rendered window surrounds. The existing extension, with very shallow pitched roof and insufficient light, did not comply with existing building regulation standards.
12 House refurbishment and extension Bristol, 2019
It was proposed to replace the current single storey rear extensions for a new contemporary one, accomodating a new living room and family space. The re-design of the rear patio, with a less steep layout, aimed to create a softer transition between the house and the garden. After careful modelling, the proposed building aimed for low visual impact on the adjacent properties, as the extension retains the same foot print of the existing one.
Zetland Road 13 House refurbishment and extension Bristol, 2021
The property is located in Zetland Road, within the Cotham and Redland Conservation Area. It is set in a mainly residential road of semi detached houses with generous front and rear gardens. The property is a three storey brick faced Victorian house, accessed by a side path. The storeys are distributed in mid-levels, in an effort to compensate for the height difference between the front of the property to the rear garden. This presented a big design challenge. It was proposed to re-locate the kitchen to the lower ground floor, therefore improving the access to the garden through a new extension. The extension, with rendered walls and aluminium windows, is set to upgrade the energetic efficiency of the existing lower ground floor space, and bring a contemporary look to the house.
Downs Cote Drive 14 House refurbishment Bristol, 2021
The property is located in Downs Cote Drive, in Bristol. After careful survey of the existing building and a preliminary discussion with the clients, planning drawings were produced. The design proposal consisted on upgrading the existing rear and side extension. Both had thermal insufficiencies, localized mainly in the shared wall with the adjoining property. Assiting the residential architect, and after submitting the subsquent planning aplication, there followed the building regulations drawings. Consulting the structural engineer advice documents and after careful review of the many upgraids entailed, the final drawings were produced.