Julian Breinersdorfer Architekten

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.