Barbosa & Guimarães’ Porto marina buildings are supported by curving arcs of steel

«The linear building, which stretches along the existing car park, defines the boundary between pedestrian and automobile,» said the architects. Photography is by José Campos. Steel   arcs curve across the glass facade of this Portuguese marina complex by   local architects   Barbosa Guimarães (+ slideshow). The waterside buildings are fronted with curved steel beams, which reference the framework of small gangways   that connect the harbour wall and jetties. Related story: Palácio de Justiça de Gouveia by Barbosa GuimarãesThe complex, which faces Porto across the water, comprises   three volumes. A wide flight of stairs at one end of the building leads directly to the upper floor, where the steps pass through a suspended hood that   exaggerates the length of the upper storey. At the centre of the building, the glass facade detaches from the metal framework   to indicate a ground floor entrance. Barbosa Guimarães   was   commissioned to design the   Douro Marina   buildings   for a harbour situated at   the mouth of the River Douro, an inlet from the North Atlantic Ocean. The two buildings   – one housing a restaurant   and the other a spa and gym – are accessed by pathways and steps that run up the back of the slope from the road and car park. The longest of the three structures   runs parallel to the harbour wall, creating   a paved promenade between an access road and the water. A long administration   block runs along the waterfront, and two shorter   blocks containing a restaurant and spa project off a slope to one side. Tube lights are set periodically into ridges of the corduroy-textured ceiling, and concertina shutters slide across runners to divide the open-plan space. Training and changing rooms, administration offices and event   spaces inside are spread across   the upper and lower floors.