Back to life

The focus of the inter­ven­tion was the sensi­tive reha­bi­li­ta­tion of the grand­stand, whose strictly symme­trical façade design and rhyth­mi­cally arranged columns are a typical example of post-war moder­nism. The portico-like main entrance, which leads visi­tors into the stadium through a loggia, and the bas-reliefs carved in granite with motifs from clas­sical mytho­logy were carefully preserved and restored.

At the same time, the inner struc­ture was comple­tely rede­si­gned: New func­tional areas for athletes and visi­tors were created, entrances were moder­nized and the grand­stand roof was rede­si­gned to signi­fi­cantly increase the covered area – a noti­ceable gain in comfort.

Along the longi­tu­dinal axis of the grand­stand, two new buil­dings now complete the Univer­sity Stadium Porto complex. They house the new head­quar­ters of the CDUP (Centro de Desporto da Univer­si­dade do Porto) and offer versa­tile spaces such as offices, meeting rooms and work areas for students and staff.

While the new buil­dings refer to the monu­mental austerity of the exis­ting grand­stand in terms of scale and struc­ture, they inter­pret its compo­si­tional rules quite dyna­mi­cally, for example through large openings towards the sports fields.

The choice of mate­rial plays a central role. Terra­cotta-colored pigmented concrete was used for all new volumes, as well as for parts of the exis­ting buil­ding to be reno­vated. This warm, earthy tone enli­vens the buil­ding enve­lope and extends into the inte­rior spaces on the first floor.

The mate­rial gives the ensemble a clear iden­tity, creates a subtle contrast to the sober grand­stand and blends harmo­niously into the tree-lined context.

With the reno­va­tion and refur­bish­ment, the Univer­sity Stadium reopens as a multi­func­tional, open campus area that combines sporting acti­vi­ties, student meetings and admi­nis­tra­tive func­tions. The historic entrances for spec­ta­tors via the stair­cases have been retained, while athletes and staff enter through newly desi­gned entrances. This respects the original character while ensu­ring contem­po­rary user-friend­li­ness.

After a long plan­ning and cons­truc­tion process – inter­rupted by the COVID-19 pandemic – the stadium is now fully opera­tional again and serves as a fine example of how modern archi­tec­ture can be harmo­nized with histo­rical subs­tance.