Mora River Aquarium in Mora, Alentejo, Portugal by Promontorio Architecture

Located in Mora, the River Aquarium project is to shift regional development from the dependence of an increasingly weaker agriculture economy into the environmental tourism and leisure market, the municipality launched a design-and-build competition for an aquarium that could somehow embody the paradigms of biodiversity of the Iberian river.

Integrated in the Ecological Wild Park of Gameiro and bordering the Raia stream, the building stands amidst a secluded field of cork and olive trees removed from the more intense leisure and fishing activities of the river.

Architects: Promontorio Architecture
Project Team: João Perloiro, João Luís Ferreira, Paulo Perloiro, Paulo Martins Barata, Pedro Appleton
Collaborators: J. Cancela, A. Braga, R. Correia, S. Reis, R. Henriques
Client: Municipalidad de Mora
Contractor: Teixeira Duarte, SA

Site Area: 17 Ha
Constructed Area: 3.000 sqm
Construction year: 2004-2006
Budget: US $3,000/sqm
Photographs: João Morgado