Largo da Devesa City Square in Castelo Branco

Currently much degraded, the historic center of Castelo Branco calls for drastic change and modernization. The Largo da Devesas Park will be reorganized thanks to an ambitious project involving pedestrianization and the siting of road traffic and parking below ground.

The design of the park adds commercial and leisure uses (I hope) with a simplicity in tune with the dignity of the old and pedestrianalizes area with hard paving.

Geography is important (a new central lake), while the detailing attempts to use local technology with affection and irony.

Josep Lluís Mateo (2002)

Typology: Public Space
Competition: 1st Prize
Project: 2000 – 2006
Construction: 2006-2007
Surface: 60,000 m2
Location: Castelo Branco, Portugal
Photo: Ferran Mateo