The concept...

Designing an ephemeral structure is not just about designing something that is defined in time.
Ephemeral is a term of Greek origin, meaning “just for a day”. It is used to designate a situation that lasts a very short time. It is therefore associated with everything that is fleeting, transient or short-lived.
A project for an Ephemeral structure is also about telling a story. It can be abstract, but it must provide memorable experiences through materiality, texture and communication.

The challenge...

The projects must be impactful and innovative, remaining in the memory for as long as possible, since their lifespan is quite short.

In the wake of this, the challenge was launched to intervene in the train station in S. Bento - Porto with an ephemeral structure of small dimensions, dismountable, economical and easy and quick to assemble. This became an interesting architectural challenge. Conceptually, the structure would only have an internal space dedicated to interviews with passers-by. To this end, a transition between scales is proposed. A space with a strong identity, mobility and dynamism is conceived, from the largest to the most intimate, favoring proximity between interviewer and interviewee.

The process...

As a result, assembly processes were devised using light, easily movable materials that could even be reused. Pressed cardboard tubes appear to be a solution that would solve this problem, and it is even possible to take aesthetic advantage of their color and texture.

The estimated budget for the intervention would be around €500 excluding labor. It would be assembled in just half an hour and would be ready to fulfill its purpose.

“In the ephemeral there is a movement from being to not being. It's a metamorphosis. The work is and then ceases to be”

Victor Molina Escobar