Leca Swimming Pool Complex

Leca Swimming Pool Complex

Zachary Mathews

Architect: Alvaro Siza

Location: Leca de Palmeria, Portugal (faces west towards Atlantic)

Year Completed: 1966

  • The swimming pools are in conjunction with the Boa Nova Tea House
  • Siza  still practices and won the Pritzker Prize in 1992
  • Consists of changing rooms, observation deck, and two main pools (adult and children)
  • Building sunken into site behind road (disconnect between nature and infrastructure)
  • Building reserves large natural rock formations
  • Concrete walls as experience of sensory details (through blocking or opening up too)

Intro_Zach_Mathews

Intro_Zach_Mathews

My name is Zach. This is my second year at the u of o. I’m from San Diego, CA and I like to skate and surf. The thing I like most about architecture is being able to creatively problem solve and configure a solution that is unique to me within a set of constraints.