Nagasaki’s governor visits worksite that will bring the old Matadouro to light

“Komorebi” is the Japanese word referring to the sunlight beams, visible only through tree leaves. The concept, drawn up by the architect Kengo Kuma, for the project that will reconvert the old Matadouro guided the Nagasaki’s governor’s visit, Oishi Kengo, joined by the mayor of Porto City Hall, Rui Moreira, and the councillor for Urban Planning, Pedro Baganha, to the work in progress in that east block of the city.

“This project will change Porto”, the assigned architect, Kengo Kuma stated in video, in partnership with the awarded Portuguese architects of OODA, for the project that has also made him visit the space, in September of last year.

Thankful for the “opportunity to make the project of a lifetime, in my favourite city”, the Japanese architect believes he has come up with “a pioneering project in this area, a complete city, where people can enjoy a new lifestyle” for the Matadouro.

At the end of another visit to the worksite, that is already in its second phase of intervention, the councillor for Urban Planning confessed his enthusiasm, but also his “hope and a little anxiety”. Regardless of “the time that these developments always take”, Pedro Baganha states that “it is good to, finally, see the works in the territory happen. I am sure that this will be an absolutely remarkable building.”

Reaffirming how the 11 buildings that make up the old Matadouro will give place to a “real transforming centre in Campanhã”, the councillor is satisfied to have the project “completely aligned with the political intentions” presented to the autarchy.

“One of the goals for this equipment has always been to mix economical activity with an opening to the local community”, the councillor for Urban Planning recalls, highlighting how the creation of a new plaza, open to São Roque Street, will allow to fulfil what has always been the vision of the Municipality: “to create a little snippet of the city connected to that which surrounds it”.

In the future, Pedro Baganha adds, when “the terrains of the old collection centre in São Roque are urbanised, according to studies that Porto City Hall is developing, this plaza will have continuity in a big green area”.

40 million euros of investment in commerce, economy, social action, and culture

With a global investment superior to 40 million euros, totally secured by the company winner of the public tender, Mota-Engil, the reconversion of the old Matadouro Industrial will result in diversified and multipurpose business, leisure, and local support spaces, destined for social action, connection the local community, with a cultural and artistic nature, for exhibitions, artistic production, and archive.

Deactivated for more than 20 years, the space has a total of 36 thousand square meters, from which 20.500 will be reconverted. From those, 12.500 will be explored by Mota-Engil and the rest will be explored by Porto City Hall. At the end of 30 years of concession, the equipment returns to the public sphere.