Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

Controlar Headquarters

What? - Concept / inspiration


In the current context of globalization, based on a process of technical revolution, the development of companies in the field of technological innovation, such as Controlar, has been marked by a physical dematerialisation and smaller requirements in terms of space and scale compared to traditional industry. In this regard, and based on the pre-existence of a large building which serves as a "skin" to maintain, the concept of action is based on dividing the interior space in "boxes" spaced to the existing construction and arranged according to the program and spans in the original facades. This proposal aims to build within the built and add without touching in order to integrate without merging two distinct approaches to architecture, the existing and the new proposal.


Why? - Choices / motivation


The choice of partition of the space and the space between "boxes" and to the "skin" allows the profusion of natural light from the roof and facade into the interior of the nave of the building, allowing illumination of traffic, leisure and working areas. This objective of sustainability has also generated concern about the issue of cooling, which is restrained to the interior of the rooms, restricting the consumption needs to each of the spaces. In this concept of organization through independent "boxes" it is built up an “outdoor space” within the interior of the building, in a logic of gradual dissipation of accessibility, in which the entire infrastructure network is developed so that access for maintenance and change is facilitated.


How? - Materials / products


In order to stand out the "boxes" from the "skin" the whole building was standardized through the use of grey colour, contrasting with the white used in new construction in which the application of materials from the industrial imaginary, such as polycarbonate and metal, assumes a finishing language with the reinterpretation of their natural characteristics in order to achieve a bright space and of easy maintenance due to their reflective and plane surfaces. This concept of sharing space through the use of "boxes" allows its implementation through the reproduction of economic light structures with the development of typified construction details targeting rationalization of construction.

Controlar Headquarters

In the current context of globalization, based on a process of technical revolution, the development of companies in the field of technological innovation, such as Controlar, has been marked by a physical dematerialisation and smaller requirements in terms of space and scale compared to traditional industry. In this regard, and based on the pre-existence of a large building which serves as a "skin" to maintain, the concept of action is based on dividing the interior space in "boxes" spaced to the existing construction and arranged according to the program and spans in the original facades. This proposal aims to build within the built and add without touching in order to integrate without merging two distinct approaches to architecture, the existing and the new proposal.


The choice of partition of the space and the space between "boxes" and to the "skin" allows the profusion of natural light from the roof and facade into the interior of the nave of the building, allowing illumination of traffic, leisure and working areas. This objective of sustainability has also generated concern about the issue of cooling, which is restrained to the interior of the rooms, restricting the consumption needs to each of the spaces. In this concept of organization through independent "boxes" it is built up an “outdoor space” within the interior of the building, in a logic of gradual dissipation of accessibility, in which the entire infrastructure network is developed so that access for maintenance and change is facilitated.


In order to stand out the "boxes" from the "skin" the whole building was standardized through the use of grey colour, contrasting with the white used in new construction in which the application of materials from the industrial imaginary, such as polycarbonate and metal, assumes a finishing language with the reinterpretation of their natural characteristics in order to achieve a bright space and of easy maintenance due to their reflective and plane surfaces. This concept of sharing space through the use of "boxes" allows its implementation through the reproduction of economic light structures with the development of typified construction details targeting rationalization of construction.

Brand description
Building Pictures is pioneering the communication of architecture through telling stories of spaces using video. The stories of spaces in project, under construction and finished work, ... helps architecture firms, construction firms, real estate, and other institutions connected to spaces and the city, to promote their work. Building Pictures also organizes competitions - "What is your Favorite Space?" - and produces monthly episodes about "Arquitectura à moda do Porto", approaching the community to portuguese and international architecture.
Products applied in Commercial , Educational , Landscape , +1
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