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International design competition “Castelo de Abrantes” Answers to FAQ’s

In accordance with the competition Rules, here are the answers, systematized by

themes, to the requests for clarification submitted by interested parties within the

deadline fixed on the calendar. The following documents are in attach: Appendix A --- Water infrastructures --- Abrantes Castle Appendix B --- Treason Door - location Appendix C - D. Francisco Almeida Monument --- drawings and photos RULES Q1: I want to clarify if this competition is just for architects or can also participate ar-chitecture students? A: Students can only participate as collaborators of a design team, and not as an applicant. See point 8 of the Competition Rules (participation rules). Q2: Is it required to the team to have an architect and a landscape architect? Or just one of the areas? A: The design team must have an Architect and Landscape Architect. See point 8 of the Competition Rules (participation rules). Q3: Reading the tender documents we find that the competition, in addition to allocat-ing prizes does not implies a contract for the development and construction of the winning proposal. It is true that this is an ideas competition and does not refer any other kind of contract, however, and because there is mentioned a construction value of € 3,450,000.00 (point 7 of the Program) we can presuppose a later implementation. Thus the question we would like to ask is: the following project implementation phases will be supplied by the winner? If yes, what is the contract value? Q4: In point 3.1 from the "Rules" document, it is said that "The competition seeks the selection of a design work, considering the architectural and landscape requalification of the Abrantes Castle and enhancement of its character of heritage city....", however in point 19 of the same document, relating to the winner is only mentioned a prize 5000€. Is there any intention to contract the winning team? If yes, how? If not, what is the purpose to mention that a project will be selected? A: This procedure is an ideas competition and because of that does not imply con-tracting the winning team for an after development of the proposal. However, this competition, as part of the program escolha-arquitectura, aims not only to stream-line architectural competitions and public participation in the debate of ideas, but also, and so the search for partner organizations in these initiatives, to contribute to the development of the selected project, and the municipality of Abrantes has the intention to run the winning project, depending its implementation on the ap-proval of application to EU funds. The procedure for the acquisition of the project will be effected of in accordance with the Portuguese Public Procurement Code.

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Q5: Is there a risk that, after the completion of this competition, the winning project

can be delivered by a team that did not win the contest, or even participated in it?

A: No. It is the intention of the municipality of Abrantes to run the winning project

contracting its team, although its implementation depends of the approval of ap-

plication to EU funds.

Q6: The team must have an architect or a landscape architect?

A: May submit proposals both independent professionals or individual entrepre-

neurs with actual or temporary registration in The Association of Architects (OA)

or legal persons whose object covers the activity of preparing studies or projects

of architecture. The proposals have to be coordinated by an architect with actual

or temporary registration in The Association of Architects (OA) and the design

team must be formed by at least one Architect and one Landscape Architect. See

point 8 of the Competition Rules (participation rules).

Q7: I am a student and a have a doubt about the possibility of my participation. In my

understanding the competition is only for architects with an actual or temporary regis-

tration in The Association of Architects (OA). I would like you to confirm this. A: Students can only participate as collaborators of a design team, and not as an applicant. See point 8 of the Competition Rules (participation rules). Q8: The summary should be presented in a word/PDF file or in one of the A1 panels?

A: The summary will be written in a specific field in the submission page. It will be at the discretion of the competitor introducing it in the A1 panels. Q9: The budget should be presented in the panels or in an attached file?

A: The budget should be presented in the proposal file as it is mentioned in point 12.1.1 of the Competition Rules. Q10: Is it possible to present sections in scale 1:500?

A: At the discretion of the competitor. Q11: Will be any organized visits to the site?

A: No. The intervention site has free access. Q12: In point 12.1.3. of the Rules is required a summary text in Portuguese and English. The 1000 character limit refers to each language separately (1000 Portuguese + 1000 in English), or all of the two texts (Portuguese + English = 1000)? A: The set of the two texts (Portuguese + English = 1000).

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Q13: The requested summary is limited by 1000 characters. May it be more extensive, given the complexity of the program? A: No. Q14: The general plan with a scale of 1:1000 can have a different scale (1:2000, 1:5000)? A: No. The general plan with a scale of 1/1000 is mandatory (see point 12.1.1. of Rules). However the applicant can present another plans with other scales.

Q15: Is there available a surveying in 3D?

A: No. Q16: will it be made more archaeological excavations in the area of the castle? A: It is not expected to carry out archaeological excavations in the area of the castle in the near future.

Q17: Are there are geotechnical surveys of the Castle Hill?

A: No. Q18: Is there any water infrastructures connected to the water reservoir in the Tower of Homage? A: Yes. See Appendix A. Q19: Is it possible to provide floor plans and other drawings, as sections and facades of the Tower of Homage? A: The municipality doesn’t have those elements.

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PROGRAM Q20: Where is the Carneiro building? A: The Carneiro building is in Rua de S. Pedro (See location in the picture below).

Q21: Where is the Treason Door? A: The Treason Door is in the south Castle Wall (see picture bellow and Appendix B).

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Q22: Is it necessary to include Toilets in the proposal? A: At the discretion of the competitor. Q23: Is it possible to plant more trees? A: Yes. Q24: Is it possible to change the configuration and substitute the equipment of the skate park? A: Yes.

Q25: ‘‘To diversify and qualify the accesses, assuming the Hill of St. Peter as the main

road access and e pedestrian space/ gazebo to create next to the Carneiro building, as

the main pedestrian entrance in connection to the city’’. What is wanted with this sen-

tence: is it to annul the car circulation to the entrance of the castle, to make it just

pedestrian, canceling the parking next to the castle entrance? The car access to St. Pe-

ter's hill is to ensure the existing parking area as the main parking area? The road

along the hill is a dead end… A: It is not wanted to undo the circulation of cars to the entrance of the Castle neither the existent parking area at the entrance of the Castle. It is intended that the principal road access should be made from the Hill of St. Peter and the main pedestrian entrance through a pedestrian space / gazebo to create near the Carneiro Building, which will establish a pedestrian link to the City. The aim is also that parking for heavy passenger vehicles should be located next to the Hill of St. Peter, where there is currently a standoff zone. Other parking areas to create is left to the discretion of the competitor. Q26: Is it possible to intervene in the governor’s palace roof? A: Yes Q27: In point 5 of the Program it is made a reference to the Monument of D. Francisco de Almeida, 1st Viceroy of India, designed by the master Barata Feyo, which should be relocated inside the castle walls. However, we could not find, nor in the intervention area or in the competitions documents, no photographs or information identifying this mon-ument. Thus, it is requested to be available pictures as well as their dimensions of it. A: See Appendix C (D. Francisco de Almeida Monument – Drawings and photos) Q28: How extremely the proposal must follow the rules of Abrantes Urbanization Plan? What are the restrictions?

A: The ideas competition is intended to get programmatic contributions to a future

development. In this sense the applicants must attend to the Abrantes Urbaniza-

tion Plan.

The documents of Abrantes Urbanization Plan (see Appendix 8 - Abrantes Urbani-

zation Plan) approved by the Municipal Assembly in the 29th of September, 2016,

can be also found at the following link:

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http://cm-abrantes.pt/index.php/pt/2014-12-10-15-25-43/ordenamento-do-ter-ritorio-urbanismo-e-regeneracao-urbana-do-centro-historico-investir/774-ordenamento-do-territorio-urbanismo-e-regeneracao-urbana-do-centro-his-torico/planos-municipais/315-planos-municipais

The final version of the proposed revision of Abrantes Urbanization Plan can only

become applicable after the completion of the supplementary regulations associ-

ated, according to article 108 of the approved Regulation.

Q29: Can we have the freedom to, occasionally, extend the intervention area limit (Ex.:

allocate new car parks)?

A: The intervention area is set. However, it is possible, if justified, contemplate a

study area. Q30: Given that 30% of the selection criteria is referred to Technical and financial prac-ticability of the solution, is there, perchance, a budget (suggested by you) which we have to follow, as this value will have an impact on the magnitude our proposal? A: The maximum estimated construction budget is set out in paragraph 7 of the Pro-gram: "Proposals should adapt to current economic contingencies, seeking to combine creative solutions to cost-effective solutions. The maximum estimated construction budget, taking into account an area of 54.810 m2, is € 3,450,000.00 (three millions and four hundred and fifty thousand euros), plus VAT to the legal rate”. Q31: The Castle and Garden areas must have an entrance control? A: Only the intervention area inside walls must have an entrance control. Q32: The pedestrian link, provided in the Urban Plan, between Carneiro Building and the Castle Garden should be considered under this procedure? A: Yes. According to article 48 of the Abrantes Urbanization Plan revision the “Abrantes Castle (U1), an area that includes the Hill of St. Peter and the surrounding area, including the Castle Garden, should attend the following program: Stimulate the pedestrian crossing of this space, integrating it into a wider pedestrian network and establishing within three alternative routes, the main of which starts in the Hill of St. Peter, enters the Treason Door and crosses the Castle”.