Fraunhofer Offices
Oporto, Portugal
Client
Fraunhofer Portugal
Status
Built
Project date
2011
Construction date
2011
Construction area
1.660 m2
Photography
Awards
Winner of the 2016 Green GOOD DESIGN Award
–
Winner of the Archdaily Building of the Year 2011 Awards (Interiors category)
1st Place in closed competition
Graphic Design
Rita & Joana Coimbra
Located in Oporto, the Fraunhofer offices occupy part of a building in the Science and Technology Park at the Oporto University (UPTEC). The space allotted to these offices consists of 1.660m2, divided along two floors.
The Fraunhofer Portugal association is part of the German company Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest applied research institution. Although it is relatively little known to the public, Fraunhofer is responsible for such innovations as the MP3 audio format, and for significant advances in the field of workspace organization.
The project is based on the company’s philosophy of innovation, as well as its ample investigation into the matter of workspaces, through a simple, affirmative and dynamic message, and was selected through a private competition held by the institution itself.
The main circulation is a structural element of the project, and is laid out along the large glazed façade.
It is from this longitudinal circulation that the various office spaces are accessed. These spaces, which differ in size and function, are defined by a single strong gesture that determines the functioning and image of the whole – a plane that rises, falls and undulates through the space, generating the different rooms and paths.
This freestanding plane reinforces the different volumes and materializes itself as a ceiling, wall or pavement for the different offices and meeting rooms, granting them a certain spatial dynamic, visual continuity, movement and flow.
Throughout the office, small independent rooms called silent rooms are introduced, serving as places of concentration, informal meeting rooms or simply for resting. These seek to promote the researchers’ creativity and well-being.
The colours used throughout the different spaces, together with the graphic design, give the offices a relaxed and youthful environment, according to the company’s ideology.
RELATED PROJECTS
Biogen II Offices
Pedra Silva Arquitectos developed Biogen’s Lisbon offices in 2016 and in 2020 were requested to redesign the space again to accommodate the increase in staff and need for meeting spaces.
View More
Olx Group Offices
Located in one of the most important business districts of Lisbon, the project space is prepared to accommodate 300 people and its design reflects OLX culture mixed with the inspiring mood and beauty of the city of Lisbon.
View More
Optylon Krea Offices
Optylon Krea’s new office space boasts a privileged view over Lisbon, with the Tagus River and famous hills as backdrop.
View More