Joana Rafael is an architect, researcher and lecturer. Her work focuses on (issues of) ecology, human geography and natural sciences, encompassing contemporary culture, media studies, art and technology. She combines architecture as a discipline of thought and design practice, reflecting on the boundaries of buildings, infrastructures and (radiological-)contaminated territories. Engages in speculative thinking and writing to develop a critical distance from anthropocentric understandings and attend to reciprocal relationships between humans and nature. Joana teaches Contextual Studies and Contemporary Culture-related courses. She is a member of CEGOT (Center for Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning) and CEAA (Centro de Estudos Arnaldo Araújo). Joana is a cofounder of REFINERY BOARD.
A Huge Platform for Decarbonisation
Subtraction Architecture at the former refinery in Matosinhos
+ ATLAS - Mapping the Nuclear Grave and Remediation-Related Campaigns
Written between June and December 2022 with Ines Moreira
Published in J-A #263.
The report explores the removal operations at the former Matosinhos refinery site and investigates the challenges involved in repurposing a site that was previously dedicated to refinery activities, including its impact on the local ecosystem and potential for new creative uses.
+ ATLAS - Mapping the Nuclear Grave and Remediation-Related Campaigns