Raphaël Shao Pao Pei Brun Firefly

The project originates from the desire to establish a new connection between Cais do Ginjal, located along the Tagus River, and the elevated town of Almada. From a geological perspective, the terrain is composed mainly of clay, sand, limestone, and sandstone formations. Due to these unstable ground conditions, the proposal takes the form of a steel structure that touches the surface at only two points, functioning as an inclined bridge. This design not only enables a new form of vertical connectivity, but also incorporates residential and service spaces, contributing to the regeneration of the area. The housing units, positioned above the steel truss, are made of prefabricated timber elements and are accessed via stairways and elevators integrated into the supporting system. Like fireflies, almost invisible insects that reveal themselves for just a moment, light and ephemeral, moving through the dark, the project aspires to bring a quiet yet meaningful presence to a forgotten landscape. Proposed as a prototype, the project is capable of adapting to the site’s steep and irregular topography, adjusting to the varying slopes along the terrain without altering its fragile balance.