The project for the Laje Football Field is, in short, a retaining wall. A precise "L" shaped wall that defines and enables a flat football pitch on a steep slope, creating an arcade that gives access to the support facilities located underground.
The entrance is made by a ramp that cuts into the hill and gently descends to a covered atrium at pitch level, giving access to a continuous bench. There are no spectators in second row. On the upper level, the new plateau offers an informal view of the field, functioning as a public viewpoint.
Built in reinforced concrete with iron oxide pigment incorporated into its composition, the retaining wall merges with the rocky outcrop, which also becomes a central element of the design. This blurs the boundaries between architecture, structure, landscape, and the natural terrain itself.
Team:
Architecture: Miguel Marcelino
Collaborators: Miguel Coutinho, João Neto, Martina Cappellini, Mariana Almeida
Structural Engineers: Pedro Viegas
MEP: Pensamento Sustentável
Fire Protection: ETU
Landscape: Paulo Palma
General Contractor: ABB
Construction: Cofistrong
Client: Município de Oeiras
Photos: © Archive Miguel Marcelino (photo by Lourenço T. Abreu)
