Headquarters of Vieira de Almeida

The offices of the law firm Vieira de Almeida are installed in a building facing the Rua D. Luis I and the Boqueirão do Duro. It occupies a significant part of a block that once had industrial buildings, the last of which was SOREL, a car workshop and dealership. The neighbourhood attests the gradual replacement of the industries by services and housing. The industrial character of this edifice is evoked by the use of materials from the riverside warehouses and factories: red brick, black-painted metal profiles and large spaces associated with a common programme, like auditoriums or cafeterias, in contrast with the offices and administration areas. To the north, a narrow façade leads to the front of the Largo Conde Barão and the old coastline. The restoration project of this complex received several national and international awards in 2018 and 2019, like the Architizer A+ Awards and the Architecture Masterprize, among others.