Refúgio - Haven
2020
steel, polyester rope, 5.1 x 5.1 x 5.65 m
Parque da Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe, Braga, Portugal
ART IN PUBLIC SPACE & SUSTAINABILITY award, promoted by the dst group and zet gallery with the support of IB-S Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability of the University of Minho
REFÚGIO is an accessible sculptural space — a sanctuary within the city, inviting us to dream of new ways of living and being in the world, open and porous to the rhythms of nature. It dissolves the boundaries between sculpture and architecture, offering a place where art becomes an act of relational awareness, a site of reflection on the interwoven lives of all species and the fragile place of humanity among them.
A space for gathering and meditation, REFÚGIO reimagines the ancient form of the cloister, with its inward garden — a familiar echo in the religious architecture of Europe, and particularly in Braga, where the cloisters of the Cathedral and the Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães stand as silent witnesses to centuries of contemplation.
Yet REFÚGIO is not built for human beings alone. Its architecture welcomes the unpredictable colonization of local flora and fauna, creating a living shelter shared by many forms of life. Openings in the structure allow sunlight, air, and moisture to drift through, while offering protection from rain and sun. Throughout the work, spaces have been carved for birds to nest, while fertile pockets in walls and ceilings nurture endemic plants that will, over time, embrace and transform the structure in their own wild, spontaneous way.
Within the sculpture, a web of red thread — a signature element in my recent works — stretches from the garden floor to the highest points, forming a symbolic cocoon. It offers visitors a sense of welcome and protection, while quietly inviting occupation by insects, particularly arachnids, and climbing plants that will weave themselves into its fragile net.
REFÚGIO was born from a dialogue with its surroundings — the city of Braga, its history, its architecture — and with the materials at hand. Constructed entirely from unused resources donated by Bysteel of the DST Group, its final form was not predetermined, but emerged through a process of adaptation, embracing a philosophy of upcycling and sustainability, allowing the work to grow organically from what was available.
Fotos @ Hugo Delgado
A space for gathering and meditation, REFÚGIO reimagines the ancient form of the cloister, with its inward garden — a familiar echo in the religious architecture of Europe, and particularly in Braga, where the cloisters of the Cathedral and the Monastery of São Martinho de Tibães stand as silent witnesses to centuries of contemplation.
Yet REFÚGIO is not built for human beings alone. Its architecture welcomes the unpredictable colonization of local flora and fauna, creating a living shelter shared by many forms of life. Openings in the structure allow sunlight, air, and moisture to drift through, while offering protection from rain and sun. Throughout the work, spaces have been carved for birds to nest, while fertile pockets in walls and ceilings nurture endemic plants that will, over time, embrace and transform the structure in their own wild, spontaneous way.
Within the sculpture, a web of red thread — a signature element in my recent works — stretches from the garden floor to the highest points, forming a symbolic cocoon. It offers visitors a sense of welcome and protection, while quietly inviting occupation by insects, particularly arachnids, and climbing plants that will weave themselves into its fragile net.
REFÚGIO was born from a dialogue with its surroundings — the city of Braga, its history, its architecture — and with the materials at hand. Constructed entirely from unused resources donated by Bysteel of the DST Group, its final form was not predetermined, but emerged through a process of adaptation, embracing a philosophy of upcycling and sustainability, allowing the work to grow organically from what was available.
Fotos @ Hugo Delgado