The new Rowing High Performance Centre in Pocinho, designed by Alvaro Andrade, is located on one of the most beautiful valleys of Portugal, in the basin of the Douro River, one of the major rivers in the Iberia Peninsula. The river is 897 km long and runs from its source in Spain at Duruelo della Sierra in the Soria province before crossing Northern Spain and Portugal and entering the Atlantic Ocean at Porto.
The undisputed protagonists of the project are two typical elements of Portuguese architecture: on the one hand the composition of large white volumes, with corner sections, resting on the hill, which allude to works designed by Alvaro Siza and Aires Mateus; on the other walled terraces.
The complex, a popular destination for rowing enthusiasts, has three main functions: the training and learning centre, the residence area and the relational spaces, along with libraries, classrooms and offices.
The sports complex occupies an area of 8000 square metres and being located directly on the great River Duero, allows athletes direct access to the river itself.
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