Fall 2018 / Lisbon, Portugal / Arkxsite competition

The brief for this competition asked simply for a memorial to the 18th century earthquake, tsunami and fire that destroyed the city of Lisbon and altered the global economy. Our proposal recognizes the deeper history and cyclical nature of earthquakes that have recurred at this site every quarter century and marks the rhythm through an inscribed, zig-zag edge at the waterfront.

The new edge is also a nod to the seismograph, a technology developed in response to the 18th century earthquake. In addition to a proposed landscape, the 40sq meter museum space utilizes the vernacular structure, gaiola pamboline, the first earthquake resistant structure which was developed in Lisbon after the disaster, and which the Pamboline neighborhood is largely constructed of, though concealed by masonry. The design exposes this intelligent structure and celebrates the resilience it provides to Lisbon’s architecture.

Team: Anna Morrison and Katie Kelly