The Sao Bento Daycare and Soup Kitchen is a non-dwelling, dual-function building with the primary function of a daycare for children younger than 6 years old and the secondary function of a soup kitchen/food bank located within the Sao Bento neighborhood in Porto, Portugal.
The 5 meter change in elevation from the southern edge to the northern corner of the triangular site creates a clear division between the building’s two functions and provides separate, protected entrances for both.
The building provides a semi-circular food economy on site, which starts at the kindergarten, with dedicated spaces for growing crops. The grown crops will make their way to the lower ground level where the soup kitchen is located and become part of a free nutritious meal provided by the kitchen to both the attending children as a part of their lunch and to those who need it. Throughout this process the children will be introduced and taught the sequence of events that are necessary for the preparation of the foods they consume and will be given an opportunity to partake in its production within the spaces allocated for the children’s practical education.
Architecture 
