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#COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

Regino Cruz completes transparent office building in Leiria, Portugal

A twist of fate saved the forest surrounding EDP-distribuiçao’s administrative building in leiria, portugal by regino cruz architects.

Commissioned in 2008, initial project development was only beginning when europe was hit with the economic crisis. portugal was hit severely, which caused the build’s budget to be cut by two thirds.

In order to survive, the concept needed to be trimmed drastically. instead of clear cutting the site as planned, the design team decided to focus on bare necessity. in collaboration with conceptual designers at urban nouveau, it was quickly understood that the small on-site forest would be the plan’s savior and strongest identifier. the building’s plan would be the bridge to connect natural energies to the concreteness of industrial civilization. motivated by the japanese architecture movement of metabolism, the structure celebrates transparency and basic forms, uniting man and nature once again.

industrial site with small forest in background

Details

  • Leiria, Portugal
  • regino cruz architects

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