Laje Football Field
'A Flat Football Pitch on a Steep Slope'
At the Laje Football Field in Oeiras, Portugal, a red portal cut into the landscape leads to the locker rooms and pitch, itself defined by matching perpendicular concrete walls. Architect Miguel Marcelino sent us some text and images on the project that last year was nominated for the most recent EUmies Awards.
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.
Location: Oeiras, Portugal
Client: Município de Oeiras
Architecture: Miguel Marcelino
Collaborators: Miguel Coutinho, João Neto, Martina Cappellini, Mariana Almeida
Structural Engineering: Pedro Viegas
MEP Engineering: Pensamento Sustentável
Fire Protection: ETU
Landscape Design: Paulo Palma
General Contractor: ABB
Construction Supervision: Cofistrong
Site Area: 11,500 m2
Gross Floor Area: 472 m2
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