Site Mausoleum located in the Jaspe Quarry, ‘Serra da Arrábida’ (PT)

The Site Mausoleum, located on a prominent landscape, is a place of memory and solitude, a tranquil atmosphere for introspection and remembrance; it is an intimate journey through time and silence, offering visitors a unique experience within the immensity of the place.

This international one-stage architecture ideas competition invites all architecture students, young architects and young professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 40 years old) to develop and submit compelling ideas for the design of a Site Mausoleum located in the Jaspe Quarry, ‘Serra da Arrábida’, Portugal.

The Jaspe Quarry is a remarkable place within a powerful natural scenery where the remains of an old quarry carved into the landscape, together with the massive cliffs dropping dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean, are notable features within this setting.

The desactivated quarries display the natural beauty of the ‘Arrábida Brecha’, a unique ornamental stone used in several monuments within this region (also known as “Arrábida Marble”). The Jaspe Quarry was closed in 1976 when the Arrábida Natural Park was created.

When generating a vision for an intervention located within such a spectacular place, it is essential that each design proposal emphasises, respects and celebrates the site, while providing visitors with a unique experience.