Luísa de Gusmão School
The proposal for Escola Secundária Luísa de Gusmão establishes a new school model adapted to contemporary pedagogical, regulatory, and environmental demands. The intervention seeks to reorganize the existing complex through the creation of a unified learning environment, with a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The project introduces a new central volume that links the two existing buildings and defines a new main entrance, complemented by an additional volume to the west. This operation strengthens the school’s identity and improves the functional articulation of spaces. The new volumetry organizes covered circulation routes, ensuring universal accessibility and a direct connection to the sports hall.
With a clear focus on sustainability, the proposal prioritizes passive climate strategies such as cross ventilation, thermal mass, and external shading, reducing reliance on active mechanical systems. Sustainable materials — including low-carbon concrete and recycled insulation — have been selected to minimize environmental impact and ensure a life-cycle conscious approach to construction.
This refurbishment establishes a new benchmark for public school buildings, balancing functional performance, environmental responsibility, and constructive rationality. It is a project committed to the future — of both infrastructure and the generations who will inhabit it.