Vodafone Headquarters / Barbosa & Guimarães

31Mar 2010

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

Architects: Barbosa & Guimarães
Location: Porto, Portugal
Principals in Charge: José António Barbosa, Pedro Lopes Guimarães
Collaborators: Ana Campante, Ana Carvalho, Ana Mota, Daniela Teixeira, Eunice Lopes, Filipe Secca, Henrique Dias, Hugo Abreu, Nuno Felgar, José Marques, Miguel Pimenta, Pablo Rebelo, Paula Fonseca, Paulo Lima, Raul Andrade, Sara Caruso
Client: Vodafone
Structure: Afaconsult / Carlos Quinaz
Hydraulic: Afaconsult / Marta Peleteiro
Electrical: RGA / Luis Fernandes
Mechanical; RGA / Pedro Albuquerque
Contractor: Teixeira Duarte
ConstructionManagement: Pedro Coelho
Project Year: 2006-2008
Construction Year: 2007-2009
Photographs: FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra


In July 2006, when we were invated to the new building competition, through the media, radio, television and newspapers we could notice the following slogan: “VODAFONE LIFE, LIFE IN MOTION.”

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

This sentence reflects the attitude and philosophy of Vodafone.
We believe that the new building should be faithful to this idea, adopting a dynamic image, conveying the sense of movement, challenging the static.

section 05

Seeking inspiration from painting, sculpture, photography, arts which had already faced this dilemma, the office building, designed usually linear, begins to become an irregular body, out of balance, with many faces in motion.
The formalization of this concept is based on the concrete, which through its plasticity, allows to create irregular and free-form shapes, working both as a structural solution and exterior appearence, creating a unique shape, a monolithic building, bringing cohesion and unity to the set.

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

The technical complexity of the building leads to a periphery structural solution, a shell of concrete, like an egg, reducing internal support to the two stairwells and three central pillars, allowing great versatility in its interior space use.
Functionally, the building has eight floors working three as underground.

© FG+SG – Fernando Guerra, Sergio Guerra

On the ground floor, in addition to the auditorium, we have a store facing the Boavista Avenue, the cafeteria and office acess.
In the four upper floors appears the offices working as open-space with an accessible terrace.
In the underground, the floors -3 and -2, are working as car parking facilities and the -1 floor is occupied by technical areas and training rooms.