What do a repurposed bank, a seafront walkway, and a volcano observatory have in common? In Horta (Portugal), the westernmost municipality of Europe, located on the Azores, all these projects have been designed or renovated based on New European Bauhaus (NEB) principles. The Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) NEB Community of Practice (CoP) visited the city to learn more about the key role public procurement played in completing these projects.

The Faial Island Art Bank (FAIB) Project aims to refurbish and reconceptualise a building that used to host a local branch of the National Bank into a flexible, sustainable and beautiful arts hub that gives voice to the community. In doing so it combines heritage preservation with creative reuse and community value, embodying the values of the New European Bauhaus.

The project has been conceived as a participatory process involving a diverse group of stakeholders, varying from the arts and culture sector to sustainability experts, private companies and public institutions. Using the NEB Compass, a roadmap was designed to embed NEB principles throughout the process with Horta putting  a strong emphasis on citizen engagement during the development of the project. Workshops, brainstorming events, technical experts input, presentations by landscape architects and collaborative sessions were organised to define the use of the building and its floors. While the city introduced preliminary ideas, it kept open the possibility to integrate new concepts during the procurement phase.

The project is currently on hold due to lack of funding and will be resumed once new funding is secured. The slow process has its benefits, allowing for deeper reflection and stronger community involvement with the ultimate aim to turn to FAIB into a platform for exchange across the Azores, foster transdisciplinary projects and new skills, and create a stronger connection with the island’s natural heritage.  

The Seafront Line Project combines aesthetic quality, cultural symbolism, and environmental considerations. The black and white pavement design reflects the identity of the Azores as a place that’s both a remote island and part of Portugal -the white marble is sourced from the mainland, while black volcanic stones are taken from the isles. In addition, trees have been planted that are suitable for the local climate.

The evaluation criteria emphasised the overall quality and feasibility of the proposals, broken down into capacity, innovation, and visibility. In alignment with NEB priorities on circularity and resource efficiency, the use of recycled materials was also an important evaluation criterion. Although the Seafront Line has faced challenges, including funding constraints and public resistance to design changes, acceptance is gradually increasing and the project has led to more open public spaces for families, children, and leisure activities.

The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre has been designed with sustainability and heritage protection in mind. It combines scientific research, cultural interpretation, and tourism in a way that respects both nature and community identity. This approach resonates with the principles of the NEB, where beauty, sustainability, and inclusion intersect to create spaces that are at once functional, educational, and deeply connected to their environment.

Horta noted that the visit of the NEB CoP has given important visibility to the value of embedding NEB principles in public procurement and the built environment. This will strengthen the municipality’s capacity to continue its work. The municipality is for example thinking about implementing NEB values on a series of social housing projects. Securing funding for these NEB projects is however a challenge. This is why it is important to ensure continuity, impact and visibility.