The project designed by Architect Luis Pedro Silva, is a unique building from both a structural and architectural point of view. Located in a very aggressive environment and with large structural elements, special attention was given to durability and construction method.

The building has a basement over the entire area of deployment 4 meters below the maximum sea level. The structure is supported by reinforced concrete bored piles and steel micro-piles. The basement walls and bottom slab are fully waterproofed on the outside.

For the construction of the basement below sea level in a dry situation, a cofferdam was built in CSM (cutter soil mixing) from the rock strata to the top of the embankment.

The superstructure is mainly in reinforced concrete with flat slabs supported by inclined circular columns.

All around the structure there are concrete walls, like strips, involving the building and working as structural shells.

DIMSTRUT technical team, now working in CONSULMAR, prepared the alternative structural design of the foundations and structure for the constructor consortium OPWAY / FERREIRA who was winner of the building contest.

Location: Leixões, Portugal

Employer: APDL – Administração dos Portos do Douro e Leixões, S. A.