Build of the Year Award 2025 in the Office Architecture Category

The requalification of the Exporlux's facilities, one of the largest national lighting equipment companies based in the municipality of Águeda, became an opportunity for a more comprehensive intervention that included, in addition to the construction of a lighting laboratory, interior remodeling works in the showroom, training and office areas, and the renewal of the exterior image of this industrial unit. The continuous growth of this company led to successive phased expansions over time, which resulted in a somewhat confusing image reflecting the materials and architectural choices of each of the 3 moments of intervention.

With the most recent intervention, the aim was not only to create a more coherent interior image by simplifying the cladding and finishing materials, but also to requalify the exterior image of the showroom/office area by introducing a curtain wall with frosted glass sheets arranged vertically. This architectural language not only gave the building uniformity in the treatment of the two main facades, but also helped to control solar exposure. The arrangement of the glass sheets followed a logic of modulation and overlapping, punctuated with voids in front of some green spaces located between the curtain wall and the old façade.

On the 1st floor, the showroom space was innovated and renovated with the introduction of new solutions for displaying the lighting products manufactured and sold by this company, with the staircase leading to the 2nd floor standing out in the reception area, due to its distinctive shape in exposed white concrete and the horizontal wooden slat covering of the adjoining wall and continuous with the curved ceiling. The showroom and cafeteria open up and extend onto a landscaped courtyard, a space that is reflected in the dark mirrored glass facades of the lighting laboratory building, providing images and environments according to the variation in sunlight.

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Ivo Tavares Studio
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