Julian Breinersdorfer Architekten
Factory Lisbon
best architects 25 in gold
renovation and addition
Place
Berlin, Germany
Studio
Photos
Francisco Nogueira
Description
A former biscuit and noodle
factory on the harbour front, built for the Portuguese military in 1973, is currently
being transformed into an innovation district. The 200-metre-long, 11-metre-wide
building creatively addresses the issue of emergency circulation without the introduction
of concrete cores. The external circulation instead meanders along the façades
of the heritage-protected building, weaving around historical silos and a
mirrored elevator shaft and connecting the street level with the rooftop terrace.
This design minimises structural interventions while blending with the building’s
historical features. The
ribbon-shaped circulation as design principle ties together the unique blend of
functions: office spaces for large companies and start-ups, event spaces, restaurants
and a 2,000-square-metre public roof terrace. Factory Lisbon aims for a
multilayered and nuanced impact on the community, hosting events covering tech,
food, gender, skateboarding, fashion, architecture and art. As a way of aligning
the bold architecture respectfully with its context, all major interventions
are drawn as white steel lines. They add or adapt features as necessary while
leaving the historical building volume legible and intact. Diagonal crosses
have been added for earthquake resistance, brick façade elements have been
opened to bring light in or allow for circulation, and mezzanine floors have
been extended so that high spaces can be used more efficiently. Old materials
contrast with contemporary elements in concrete, steel, glass and wood.