The redevelopment of Largo da Rua Nova transforms one of Melides’ main public spaces, a coastal town in Portugal’s Alentejo litoral. Commissioned by the Município de Grândola, the intervention improves pedestrian mobility, reorganises the coexistence between pedestrians and vehicles, and creates more accessible and continuous routes.
To pave the area, a combination of Gran Llosa Vulcano® and Llosa Vulcano®, both in ivory, was integrated throughout, bringing warmth, durability and visual coherence to the space. The more open, larger zones were resolved with the grand format, generating an optical effect of spaciousness and reducing the number of joints. The more defined pedestrian transit areas incorporate Llosa Vulcano®, a piece of exceptional hardness and stable colour that withstands intensive use and the passage of time.
Sustainable rainwater management was addressed through Llosa Filtra®, a permeable paving solution forming part of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). Its 1.5 cm linear joint and integrated spacers allow water to filter naturally, reducing surface runoff. The transition between roadway and pedestrian space is resolved with vehicle drop kerbs and Superstep® steps, urbanisation elements that ensure accessibility at crossing points and define the boundaries between different zones of use, maintaining the visual continuity of the intervention.
All paving incorporates the Net-Clean® surface treatment, which facilitates cleaning and reduces long-term maintenance costs. In a high-traffic space like Largo da Rua Nova, Net-Clean® keeps the environment in optimal condition over time, contributing to more sustainable public space management.
