Located some 85km northeast of Lisbon, the city of Santarém was the target of the IV SIL Ideas Competition, which consisted in the renovation of the city’s bullfighting arena and its adjacent area.

Spain and Portugal have seen some of their arenas [ie. Palacio Vistalegre] evolve into multiporpose buildings housing commercial areas, alongside its most notorious function. The latter also has to accomodate different types cultural and sport venues.

The entry by João Bravo da Costa and Tiago Simões focused on the cultural history of the city and region, mainly its equestrian and bullfighting aspects. A surface covers and envolves the isolated ring structure and the new, loosely distributed, program.

The Atrium, Main Hall

The Atrium, Main Hall (entrance view)

A revival of equestrian culture integrated in the city’s urban fabric, inspired by some examples throughout History, was our main goal; building a public stage to captivate an audience and celebrate said culture.
Last but not least, the multipurpose nature of our proposal would attract a very diverse range of activities and events and therefore gaining a wider endorsement by the public.

Ground Floor Plan

Upper Section(s) Plan

North view (main entrance)

East View

The Arena

Aerial View with 'Hippodrome'