Viva Edirne é o projecto de um centro comercial em Edirne, no extremo Oeste da Turquia. Edirne é uma cidade rica em história. Capital do império Otomano, Edirne é também famosa pela brilhante herança arquitectónica, sobretudo a magnífica mesquita Selimiye, projectada em 1575 por Mimar Sinan, o mais celebrado arquitecto Turco.
O terreno localiza-se junto á principal via de ligação ao centro histórico, junto à Universidade. O objectivo do projecto passava pela concepção de um centro comercial moderno incorporando elementos do bazar tradicional como inspiração e aspiração; um ponto de encontro.

Viva Edirne is the project for a shopping centre in Edirne, Western Turkey. Edirne is a city rich in history. Capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne is also famous for its architectural heritage, most notably the roman bridges and the stunning Selimiye Mosque, built in 1575 and designed by Turkey's greatest master architect, Mimar Sinan, which has the highest minarets in Turkey.
The site sits along the main road to the centre, close to the local university. To respond to the demands of a modern shopping centre, incorporating elements of the traditional Turkish bazaar was the aspiration; a meeting point.

First schematic "cartoon"

O primeiro gesto neste sentido foi a criação de uma grande escada, como uma bancada, para encontro, leitura e estudo. A ideia baseia-se nas escadas no exterior da mesquita, ponto de referência social. Sob a mesma filosofia, no interior do shopping uma das praças procura este sentido de paz e encontro. Um oásis. Chamei-lhe A Praça.

The first gesture of this kind was to create a large set of stairs outside, making it a “grand stand” for people to meet, read and study. An approach similar to the stairs outside the great Mosque, where people gather as part of their local habits. Inside there is a space designed to achieve the same sense of peace and gathering. An oasis deep inside the shopping centre. I called it the Courtyard Area.

The Courtyard Area - First sketch

Traditional Turkish pattern deconstructed

Random pattern from single shape

Foram necessários 7 pisos para alcançar os 42 000 m2 de comercio permitidos, bem como 1300 lugares de estacionamento. Cada piso foi composto por duas praças, com um corredor de ligação. Isto gerou a criação de 3 espaços de circulação com identidades diferentes. Em contraste à Praça, o espaço junto à entrada principal é pautado pela dinâmica diagonal e pelo efeito de grandiosidade. Um espaço excitante e icónico, bem visível desde a estrada principal. Chamei-lhe a Cidade do Futuro.

Seven floors were necessary to achieve the 42 000 m2 of retail we were allowed to develop, with 1300 car park spaces. Each floor plan has two squares, one at each end, and a connecting mall. That generates 3 generic spaces with different identities. In contrast to the Courtyard Area, the square closer to the main entry was designed as a dynamic area; exciting and grand, displaying activity and energy to those passing on the road. An iconic gateway to a memorable shopping and leisure experience. I called this space the Future City.

The Future City - First sketch

O 3º espaço conceptual é o corredor de ligação entre estas praças. O conceito geral de “blocos urbanos” vive neste espaço a sua presença mais literal no interior. A definição de diferentes ritmos através de material e volume. Uma espécie de rua tradicional com uma cobertura. A Galeria Urbana.

The third conceptual space is the mall linking both squares. This is where the general concept of “city blocks” became more visible. The definition of different volumes through the use of materials and shapes. Like a traditional shopping street with a roof on top. The City Gallery.

The City Gallery - First sketch

Entre o estacionamento subterrâneo e os pisos de comercio na superfície encontra-se o hipermercado. Dadas as limitações impostas por esta unidade de grande dimensão, a circulação neste piso tem um carácter próprio – A Rua do hipermercado.

Between the basement car park and the retail levels above sits the hypermarket floor. Given the proportions dictated by this large unit, the circulation areas on this floor have a character of its own – the Hypermarket Street.

The Hypermarket street - First sketch

A coordenação deste projecto permitiu-me a oportunidade de liderar um equipa mais alargada do que em experiências anteriores, desde estudantes a desiners gráficos. Foi-me exigida tanta criatividade conceptual quanto capacidade de motivação e comunicação. Ainda assim, penso que as trocas de ideias mais frutíferas aconteceram nas reuniões com os clientes. Gostei muito de trabalhar com eles, pela receptividade a ideias novas e bom senso, uma qualidade surpreendentemente rara. Eu acredito nos princípios deste design, e espero que o projecto sobreviva à actual crise.

The coordination of this project allowed me the chance to lead a team larger than ever before, from students to graphic designers. Design creativity was as essential as motivational and communication skills. Still, I believe the most fruitful exchanges of ideas were the meetings with the client, whom I enjoyed for their open spirit and good sense. I believe in the principles of this design, and hope this project survives the current crisis.

Mardi Gras

The challenge of discovering a new culture has more to do with detail. Everybody knows the Opera House, or at least how it looks. People wear Billabong and drink Fosters anywhere in the world, but maybe only a few know that the a can of coke in europe is 330ml, whereas in Australia it's 375ml.
In London people stand on the right side of the escalator, like anywhere else in Europe. Here people stand on the left. In Australia Tuesday is the movies discount day, and there's no sweet popcorn.

Pubs and restaurants are an experience. There is no, I repeat, NO Fosters anywhere in Australia. Did you know that? Marketing at its best. Pubs are the size of an arena and in a quiet night there are at least 3 brawls and a couple hundred people heavily "happy". Luckily there's never that many people waiting by the counter for a drink, (or at least not compared to London. Brits flock by the tap like there's no tomorrow) and it's possible to take your own wine to a restaurant. (although they'll charge you for drinking your own wine which you purchased yourself at your own expense. Exploitation is the best.)

Then you have the events. And in Sydney there's no event like Mardi Gras! It's their own "go bananas" day, and I was there to witness it. Carnival as we grew to know and hate in Portugal, is a pathetic display of mentally challenged people who wish they were brazillian (officially a mental illness in its own right) and can't even see it's February and BLOODY COLD in the northern hemisphere. Out here however, carnival is called Mardi Gras, it's in March (as the french name suitably suggests) and it's fun! (for about 2 hours...)

It's mostly the local gay pride parade-let's-all-get-out-of-the-closet-and-be-outrageous-for-a-day kind of groove. And it works! I was laughing out loud for 2 hours! Then it got kinda boring and I came home and watched nine weeks and a half.

Click here for my indispensable videotube:
mummagumma at the Mardi Gras

Western Australia

Australia is composed of 8 states. Recently I visited the 6th of these, Western Australia. It was my first encounter with the australian outback, and also the first time I laid eyes on the Indian Ocean.
This is a peculiar state, because of its sheer size. It's 4 times the size of Turkey or Texas, and larger than any european country (by far).
It's so vast, that I've met several people caravaning around it for more than 6 months! And they have no plans of crossing to any other state. It's the size of friggin Argentina!!
The plan was both simple and ambitious. I was to fly to Perth, the state's capital, and then cover approximately 2100 km in 4 days, before returning again to spend a bit of time in Perth, and then take an overnight flight back straight to work. My ultimate destination in Western Australia: Shark Bay.
Shark bay is the westernmost point of Australia, where in 1616 the first recorded landing by a European on Australian soil occurred. It's Australia's very first national park and home to many endangered marine species.
On my way back I gave a canadian called Ben a 700 km ride to Perth. This guy hit the hitchhiking jackpot. Me, not so much. Despite the fact that he was simply brilliant and a great company all the way... he smelled bad! I'm talking about SKUNK bad! (doninha) They should use him to disperse angry mobs and Serbs. (probably wouldn't work with the Taliban) All they have to do is let him sweat for a couple of hours by the road in Western Australia's heat!

I had an amazing time there and on the way there. I love the road, and all the surprises that lie just around, if you're smart and lucky enough to discover them. Highlights were the Pinnacles Desert, the Pink Lake and the Kalbarri gorge, hell on hearth. Oh, and also little Lisa and Brackoon, the coolest kangaroo to ever make it to Youtube!
Click on the link below for my Western Australia video. (8 minutes long - sorry, too much worth capturing...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovtRqS3NHCg