The design consists of two elements; the line and the wall. The line is a path that not only connects but is also a journey in itself. Along this path, one can enjoy sunbathing or a picnic with family and friends in the shade of the olive trees. Here, one experiences simply being within this unique landscape. Other than adding a path, this part of the design has left the existing landscape and trees untouched and rather has allowed the path to move between them.

O Muro, meaning ‘The Wall’ in Portuguese, surrounds the Atalaia in an almost protective manner referencing back to the medieval military castles during the time when this Atalaia was built. Although protective, the wall is partly submerged into the earth as to allow maximum visibility of the tower. The materiality also speaks to the town, Moura, which the tower guarded at the time of use. The white facades and orange-brown roofs are, therefore, repeated here, almost as if the town that the Atalaia had once protected is now returning the favour and protecting the Atalaia Magra.

Although quite dominating in plan, the new volume sits discretely within the earth allowing the landscape to rise and fall beside it. At various points along the perimeter, one can either see over and into the new courtyard space or be standing beside a 2,5m high wall. Service volumes are placed in the four corners while the in-between spaces are left open for flexibility; such as exhibition space, circulation or café seating space. The centre of the volume is raised up to meet the entrance of Atalaia Magra (which is already more than 1m off the ground). On this new concrete plinth, there is a layer of water which cools down the surrounding shaded space through an evaporative cooling process.