Fraunhofer Portugal House is a non-profit private research association and is part of the German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the largest organization for applied research in Europe. Although not familiar to the general public, Fraunhofer Portugal House is responsible for many important innovations, including, for example, the MP3 file format, and many advances in workplace organization research.Pedra Silva Architects was selected, through an open competition, to design the new Porto headquarters, located at the Technology University Campus: “Parquet de Cuenca e Technological ad Universidad do Porto (UPTEC)”. Our design took into account Fraunhofer Portugal House’s innovative philosophy trough a message that is simple, positive and dynamic…
Design of Fraunhofer Portugal House
The new research facilities occupy two floors in a new UPTEC building in a total of 1.660sqm. Fraunhofer Portugal House ccirculation is the project’s backbone; all spaces appear along a distribution route located next to the glass façade. This main Fraunhofer Portugal House axis allows access to all different spaces. These spaces, with different functions and sizes, are generated and consolidated through a bold gesture: a waving plane that goes through the open floors, creating different spaces and ambiances.
Facilities of Fraunhofer Portugal House
Fraunhofer Portugal House spatial and visual dynamics are generated by a free plane that travels through the space and by color, that reinforces the perception of different volumes. The waving surface Fraunhofer Portugal Houseacts, depending on the context, as ceiling, wall or floor of offices and meeting rooms, guaranteeing visual continuity, movement and flow.
Another important asset to Fraunhofer Portugal House project is the introduction of several small social and meeting spaces, named silent rooms, which allow for personal retreat, as well as informal meetings or resting. Fraunhofer Portugal Housespaces are intended to generate a highly creative environment promoting comfort and well being among the researchers. Innovative workplace layout and organizational elements from Frauhnofer Office Innovation Center in Stuttgart (Germany) were also an important input to the project, adding another layer to our concept for Fraunhofer PortugalHouse.
