martins architecture office constructs large reflective warehouse in portugal

martins architecture office has designed a large warehouse building in guimarães, portugal. the site is located in the vale do ave region, an area which has been suffering economic and social turbulence over the past decades. the project by the architect proposes a reflective shell that houses the required functions of the warehouse facility.

all images © NUDO

the architect has designed the warehouse as a regular box shape placed in an open field facing east. the construction is comprised of a steel portal frame which is used to create the vast volume. metal cladding is also utilized on the exterior and gives the reflective aesthetic. within the interior, there are smaller container units which are set up to house services such as the office space, and use vernacular colors of portugal to create a local identity. overall, the design by martins architecture office provides a functional space that aims to reflect the surroundings.

close up of the south façade

the large opening on the south façade

interior view

the blocks using portuguese vernacular colours

interior detail

west façade

overall view of the building

concept drawing

concept drawing

site plan

plan of the office

project info:

project name:

architect: martins architecture office

design team: josé martins, marta machado, marina carbia, barbora babocká

program: steel warehouse

size: 1.483,00 m2

location: guimarães, portugal

status: concluded

year: 2016-2018

photography: © NUDO

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom