ARCHITECTURAL
PORTFOLIO RUBEN FERREIRA MORGADO
INTRODUCTION This portfolio documents my experience over the last 12 years, starting with the completion of a six-year Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Physical Planning at the University of Eduardo Mondlane, School of Architecture in Maputo, Mozambique; in conjunction with my role as a Team Member at JosÊ Forjaz Architects. After this, in 2003, I was invited to complete an internship with DavisBrodyBond in New York, where I learned a different face of architecture in terms of scale and budget of projects, as well as in terms of the design process. After my experience in New York, I became a Partner and Lead Architect in a small consulting firm in Mozambique specializing in architecture and engineering projects. This experience allowed me the opportunity to work on various interesting projects, from island resorts to multi-story buildings. In 2008, with some clients in hand, I was able to start my own practice that has been growing ever since. Note: Work presented in this portfolio does not include actual academic work completed during my studies at the University of Eduardo Mondlane. This is due to the fact that I no longer have access to this work after I was robbed of my electronic files (computer and backup) in 2008. The University no longer has the hard copy or electronic files of my academic work on-hand.
Capital
Maputo
(and largest city)
25°57’S 32°35’E
Official language(s)
Portuguese
Vernacular languages
Swahili, Makhuwa, Sena
Demonym
Mozambican
Government - President: - Prime Minister:
Presidential republic Armando Guebuza Aires Ali
Independence - from Portugal
June 25, 1975
Area - Total - Water (%) Borders
Population - 2009 estimate - 2007 census - Density
Maputo
801,590 km2 (35th) 309,496 sq mi 2.2 Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa and Indian Ocean 22,894,000 (52nd) 21,397,000 28.7/km2 (178th)
GDP(nominal) - Total - Per capita
74.3/sq mi 2009 estimate $9.831 billion $464
Currency
Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Time zone - Summer
CAT (UTC+2) not observed (UTC+2)
Drives on the
Left
ISO 3166 code
MZ
Internet TLD
.mz
Calling code
258
Reference
Instituto Nacional de Estatistica de Moçambique
03
BEACH HOUSES Independent work | Location: Macaneta House T
House D
House B
05
HOUSE B The first of three beach houses built in Macaneta, Mozambique. Client Requirements To create a large family weekend retreat in a beach town near Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique.
Materials Reinforced concrete foundations, plastered cement block walls and pine roof structure with curved metallic sheet roof. Ceramic floor tiles and wooden windows and doors.
Design Conditions A 2500 sq m site with dense natural vegetation and no sea view. Remote location with scarce access to materials and qualified builders.
Note The schematic drawing shows the relation between the three beach houses (House B, House D, House T). They share similar dimensions and spatial programming but are organized differently in relation to their site, view conditions, sun and ventilation exposure.
Design Solutions A low budget design of a two single-suite and two double-suite villa complex with a curved roof. An outdoor living/dining and kitchen area with an open wooden structure and metallic sheet roof was added after completion of the suites.
A
Deck/Varanda
Outside: Veranda
B
Living/Dining
C
Kitchen
Living: Living room and kitchen
D
Corridor
E
Storage
F
Bathroom
G
Bedroom
Sleeping: Storage, wc and bedrooms
A
A
F G
A
H
H
F
G
F
F
07
HOUSE D The second of three beach houses built in Macaneta, Mozambique. Client Requirements A two-bedroom house for weekend retreats, within the same low budget as House B.
Materials Reinforced concrete foundations, plastered cement block walls and pine roof structure with curved metallic sheet roof. Ceramic floor tiles and aluminum windows and doors.
Design Conditions A 1250 sq m site with dense natural vegetation and no sea view.
Note The schematic drawing shows the relation between the three beach houses (House B, House D, House T). They share similar dimensions and spatial programming but are organized differently in relation to their site, view conditions, sun and ventilation exposure.
Design Solutions A compact two-bedroom house with a living/dining room area and an open kitchen with a curved roof. A large veranda was added for outside activities.
A
Deck/Varanda
Outside: Veranda
B
Living/Dining
C
Kitchen
Living: Living room and kitchen
D
Corridor
E
Storage
F
Bathroom
G
Bedroom
G
G
F D E
Sleeping: Storage, wc and bedrooms A
B
C
09
HOUSE T The last of the three beach houses built in Macaneta, Mozambique. Client Requirements A two-bedroom house for weekend retreats emphasizing the scenic sea view of the site. Design Conditions A1250 sq m sand dune site with sea view. Design Solutions The house was located on the highest part of the plot in linear design to allow for a sea view from all rooms. The flower box in front of the house was not included in the initial design, but resulted from one of the many construction errors that made this project very difficult to manage. The builders incorrectly measured the dimensions of the house
and built a structure one meter wider than planned or budgeted. This extra meter was turned into a flower box, returning the house to its original dimensions. Materials Reinforced concrete foundations, plastered cement block walls and metallic roof structure with a curved metallic sheet roof. Ceramic floor tiles and aluminum windows and doors. Note The schematic drawing shows the relation between the three beach houses (House B, House D, House T). They share similar dimensions and spatial programming but are organized differently in relation to their site, view conditions, sun and ventilation exposure.
A
Deck/Veranda
Outside: Veranda
B
Living/Dining
C
Kitchen
Living: Living room and kitchen
D
Corridor
E
Storage
F
Bathroom
G
Bedroom
E
F
C
D
B
G
Sleeping: Storage, wc and bedrooms A
G
11
ISLAND RESORTS Projects at Clape-Ruben Morgado, Lda | Location: Bazaruto Island and Inhaca Island, Mozambique
Bazaruto
Inhaca
13
BAZARUTO After hurricane Flavio passed through the Inhambane province in the south of Mozambique in 2005, most of the 26 existing rooms and main building of the resort were damaged. Client Requirements The initial project goal was to repair and upgrade the existing infrastructure. The client later requested a expansion of the resort to include an additional 14 rooms. Design Solutions Our proposal was to expand the resort to the south, along the water line facing the sunset. The new rooms were inspired by the existing accommodations, but with an increase
in the size of the room and different finishes. Four new family-room accommodations were also designed and built. The main building was rebuilt from scratch with a new roof solution and new staff sleeping and dining facilities. Materials The main materials were kept the same from the existing buildings, including the traditional “mujaca� roof (coconut tree leaves) in a pine structure, gypsum ceilings and concrete floor steel floated to a smooth finish. A natural gas distribution system was installed to be used in the room geysers. The natural gas is supplied from main land.
A
A
Veranda
B
Main Room
C
Bathroom
D
Toilet
E
Room
F
Outside shower
A B
C
E
D F
BEFORE AFTER
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AFTER
INHACA Inhaca island is renowned for its diverse coral reefs and beaches and is accessible by a 45-minute boat ride from Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. Client Requirements To address maintenance problems and improve the resort’s aesthetic appeal, creating an “island resort” feel. Design Conditions Existing buildings, built in the late 70’s, experienced many maintenance problems after upgrade works were completed in the early 90’s.
A
Garden
B
Bathroom
C
Ramp
D
Closet
E
Room
F
Veranda
BEFORE
Design Solutions In order to fix the maintenance problems, including roof leakage from the existing concrete and ceramic tile roofs, while also creating the desired aesthetic feel, all existing roofs were replaced with a eucalyptus pole thatch roof. In addition, all rooms were enlarged and new finishes were applied. A new venue space was built from scratch with the same materials. The swimming pool was rehabilitated and new public toilets were built to support it. Materials Thatch roofs, concrete floor steel floated to a smooth finish, new color palette for buildings and landscape design.
D F
B
E C
A
BEFORE
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OTHER HOUSES Projects at Ruben Morgado - Arquisign, Lda | Location: Ponta do Ouro, Catembe, Bilene
House Y House Ab House Aa
19
HOUSE Aa A low budget, two-bedroom house in Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique, approximately 150 kilometers from Maputo, the capital city. Client Requirements I was approached by a young client with a limited budget and a dream of a house in Ponta do Ouro. In order to fit within the client’s budget, the project was reduced in size and spatial program several times until it could not be reduced any further. Design Conditions A 900 sq m site. Ponta do Ouro can only be reached by use of a four-wheel drive vehicle along unpaved routes and sand dunes, significantly increasing the cost of construction.
A
Living
B
Dining/Kitchen
C
Interior Garden
D
Bedroom
E
Bathroom
F
Outside Shower
G
Corridor
H
Service Area
Design Solutions A compact 100 sqm, two-bedroom house, protected from the west by a stone-clad double wall and by a concrete gutter to collect rain water and protect from the north sun. A dining room and open kitchen were designed in cantilever to the sloping site. The living area is accessed by the entry hall that also connects the rooms thru a corridor, maintaining the stone finishing presence in the interior. A service area is annexed to the house to free the remaining site for landscaping. Materials Concrete floor steel floated to a smooth finish, metallic sheeting on a pine structure for the roof, local reed panel ceiling, cast in-situ and smooth finish counter tops for bathrooms and kitchen.
F
B
A
C
D
E
H G
D
East Elevation
North Elevation
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HOUSE Ab A two-bedroom house built on a very thin site on the other side of Maputo’s bay, overlooking Maputo city’s skyline and the sea. Client Requirements To allow as much space as possible for landscaping and to be able to construct in phases while living in the house. Design Conditions A 20m wide site on a sea front overlooking Maputo skyline with huge beach sheoak trees. Design Solutions In order to address the lack of space, a two-story house was proposed. With the phasing requirement in mind, the structure would be completed for the whole house while the client would finish only the lower level until the budget allowed for finishing the upper level. The easiest solution was a simple symmetric plan to also accommodate an owner-builder
A
Hall
B
Living
C
Toilet
D
Dining/Kitchen
E
Corridor
F
Bedroom
G
Bathroom
option. A centered, vertical, double-volume, access hall is elevated from the natural level of the site to make the second run of the stairs smaller. The ground floor includes the living area, dining area, an open kitchen and a bathroom under the stairs. Two bedrooms on the first-floor, protected by gutters (also providing for rainwater collection), are accessed thru a small corridor (stair landing) that also connects to the bathroom. The corridor overlooks the lower level of the house in order to allow for interaction between the two floors. Two flower boxes and a turret, added to the main facade, hide the water reservoir/geyser and create a ventilation shaft. Materials Reinforced concrete foundations, plastered cement block walls and pine roof structure with curved metallic sheet roof. Ceramic floor tiles and aluminum windows and doors.
F C
B
E
D G
A
Ground Floor
First Floor
F
East Elevation
North Elevation
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HOUSE Y A house with a privileged lagoon and sea view in Bilene, Mozambique. Client Requirements A two-bedroom house that would stand out from the existing houses. This project enjoyed a very active client during the design process. The result is a house that tremendously reflects the client’s actual and desired way of living. Design Conditions The site had an elevation at the back and then progressed downhill to the lagoon, facing south. Design Solutions This elevation was the perfect location for the two-bedroom, house. The south
facade was covered with glass and the north facade was protected with a stone-clad double wall. The spatial program was organized in a linear scheme and was curved to offer a different view from every space. The rooms, each with a private bathroom, interior garden and a wooden deck were located in the east side. A dining/kitchen area was designed, in the west side, and in the center of the house, a two-level living room with an interior garden and stairs to reach a veranda on top of the kitchen. Outside, the living and dining areas overlook a wooden deck with an infinity pool. Materials Reinforced concrete structure, plastered cement block walls and inverted type slabs provide the main skeleton of the house.
A
Living
H
Closet
B
Toilet
I
Bathroom
C
Dining/Kitchen
J
Room
D
Pantry
K
Veranda
E
Scullery
L
Deck
F
Interior Garden
M
Infinity Pool
G
Corridor
M
L K K J J
I
A
I
B
H F
H
F
C
D E
G
F
South Elevation
25
TALL BUILDINGS Marya Office Building: Ruben Morgado - Arquisign, Lda | Location: Maputo Solar das Acรกcias Apartment Building: Clape - Ruben Morgado, Lda | Location: Maputo
Solar das Acรกcias Apartment Building
Marya Office Building
27
L
M
N
SOLAR DAS ACﾃ，IAS APARTMENT BUILDING An apartment building in an upscale neighborhood of Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. Client Requirements The client wanted an alteration of an existing, overpriced, metallic structure hotel design to a concrete structure 27 apartment building. Design Solutions The spatial program was changed in order to accommodate a kitchenette and more storage space in each apartment. Maintaining the triple height entrance gallery maintained a hotel feeling; however, the one and
K
J
J
G
G F
H
Terrace Floor
two-bedroom apartments are equipped for everyday living. Two underground parking floors, a commercial ground floor and a terrace with a swimming pool/ health center make this building one of the best living spaces in Maputo. With its larger axis in an east/west alignment, the building needed protection from the hot sunset. This resulted in the design of the first vertical garden in Mozambique. The draft design of the vertical garden was completed in-house; however, a South African landscape architect was hired to select the plants and provide other specific maintenance details.
I F F
F
F
F
G
F F F
F
F
H F
A B C D E F G H
Water and Vertical Garden Fixture Gallery / Triple height Commercial Space Apartments Reception Public Toilet Stairs 1竏達edroom Apartment 2竏達edroom Apartment Floor Hall
I J K L M N
Trash Room Public Toilets Athletic Center and Saunda Swimming Pool Pool Bar Wooden Deck
Typical Floor - 1st and 2nd Floor
A C
C
E
C
B
C
C
C
C
D
Ground Floor
29
E G
H
MARYA OFFICE BUILDING An office building in downtown Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. Client Requirements The client originally requested the design of a building including office space, apartments and retail space. After construction of the structure began, the client requested to change the project to a hotel building. A few months later, the client once again requested a change to an office building with eight retail spaces on the ground floor. Design Conditions As is the case with this project, most tall buildings in Mozambique are privately owned. This leads to a more complicated and challenging design process, with constant changes being made to the project functionality and spatial programming. A tight budget and hired lower quality construction companies led to additional challenges.
H
I
F
I
Design Solutions The design included a sevenstory office building with eight retail spaces on the ground floor and four offices on every other floor. The sixth and seventh floors, however, have smaller offices, cutting back from the front elevation and creating bigger verandas. For functionality purposes, the project has a symmetric plan with all access, including stairs and elevators, in the middle of the building and a corridor at the back/west facade. In order to challenge the symmetric plan, five types of facade elements were included on the front facade: one veranda, and four groups of windows that are spread freely and without constraints, resulting in an asymmetric facade appearance. Every office opens to an outdoor veranda. Service/emergency stairs and four louver aluminum mechanical/service shafts are located at the rear elevation.
H
H
I
I
Seventh Floor E G
H
H
H
H F
I
I
I
I Sixth Floor
E G H
H
H
H F
A B C D E F G H
Sidewalk Commercial Space Ground Floor Lobby: Reception, main stair and elevators Security Room Service / Emergency stairs Lobby: Main stairs and elevators Corridor Office Space: 2xtoilets and kitchennette
I
I
I
I Typical Floor - 1st to 5ft
E D
B
B
B
B
C
B
B
B
B
A Ground Floor
Front Elevation
31