The Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre (CMIF) integrates a broad transversal intervention, articulating in one single project, the programs and actions of the “Plano de Ordenamento da Bacia Hidrográfica da Lagoa das Furnas” (Furnas Lake Land Development and Watershed Plan), notably the rehabilitation of its margins.

It was the winner of the “Premio Internazionale di Pietra Architetture 2011 – XII edizione” and finalist of SECIL Prize in 2013. It was the cover of the Spanish publication “El Croquis” and prominent target in some architectural websites. In 2016, won the “Tour Operator of the Year for São Miguel” in the “Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards” category of the Luxury Guide Awards.

CMIF functions as an observatory and integrated centre for knowledge dissemination, playing an important role in the translation of scientific information to a language able to captivate visitors into better understanding nature, as well as in recreational and ecological rehabilitation activities, all in a landscape that is constantly changing.

It includes an auditorium for workshops and seminars and a large covered area used for exhibitions that, through interactive mechanisms, tools accessible to users, multimedia platforms and guided tours, lead visitors to the discovery of the lagoon ecosystem as well as local flora and fauna.
In addition, there are adjacent outdoor areas, including picnic and contemplation areas and a large green space with a privileged view over the lagoon, where visitors can enjoy the scenery and develop leisure activities.