<formatted>Shaped facade with a soul</formatted>

Architectural Concept

The design was created by the architectural studio Dgrau Arquitetura from Maia, known for its ability to work with proportions, light, and mass. The architects responded to the narrow and elongated shape of the plot by designing a compact, linear object that is divided into two parts – administrative and operational.
The administrative wing, covering 1500 m² with two floors, is located on the main street and serves as the representative part with a reception, lobby, and offices.
The operational part is situated in the quieter rear section of the site and forms the technical background of the company.
High glass areas of the entrance space allow natural light to penetrate the interior while revealing its open, modern character. The combination of light, shadow, and material creates a sense of lightness, even though it is a substantial mass.

Facade as a Plastic Composition

The main visual motif of the building is the sculpturally shaped facade, which utilizes the contrast of light and shadow. Dgrau Arquitetura opted for Swisspearl Largo Carat fiber cement boards, which, due to their variability, durability, and color stability, allowed the architects to develop their creative vision.
Two contrasting shades were used: a light gray tone on the main surfaces of the facade and a dark gray shade on the deep slanted niches around the windows.
This color combination creates a dynamic rhythm on the facade – the dark framing optically deepens the window openings and gives the building a plastic character. The variously inclined surfaces of the framing capture light throughout the day, continuously transforming the facade. The architects achieved a result where the building does not appear heavy but rather light and harmoniously integrates into the surrounding development.

Material Quality and Durability

The choice of material was not accidental; the fiber cement facade panels provided the necessary combination of aesthetics and functionality. The architects appreciate their minimal maintenance requirements, long lifespan, and color stability, which ensure that the facade retains its appearance even after years. Dgrau Arquitetura has also been collaborating with Swisspearl for a long time and confirms that the material has proven itself in other projects as a reliable solution for elegant and modern architecture.

Project Author – Dgrau Arquitetura

The studio Dgrau Arquitetura, based in Maia, is among the Portuguese studios that can combine minimalism with a distinct formal conception. Their work is characterized by cleanliness, precise proportions, and attention to detail. The studio's projects often utilize the contrast of materials and light, creating architecture with a human scale – functional, natural, and visually appealing.
The Tampografia Office Building is an apt example of modern administrative architecture that combines functionality and aesthetics. The combination of two gray shades of fiber cement boards gives depth, rhythm, and elegant contrast to the facade, while the architectural concept of Dgrau transforms a simple volume into a prominent and cultivated element of the urban structure.

Project Facts

Name: Tampografia Office Building
Location: Maia, Portugal
Architect: Dgrau Arquitetura
Investor: Unipessoal Lda
Construction Period: 2020-2021
Facade Construction: Brocatelo Lda, São João de Ver
Material: Swisspearl Largo Carat – Crystal 7010 and Black Opal 7020