An abandoned shopping mall in Lisbon becomes a sustainable innovation campus

Architecture firms KPF and Saraiva + Associados have transformed an abandoned, unfinished shopping mall in Lisbon into a technology and laboratory office hub, Oriente Green Campus.

With roughly 452,000 sf of above-ground indoor space and about 204,500 sf of landscaped outdoor space, the project retained 91% of the original, three-story structure.

By reusing the existing concrete frame, including three above-grade floors and three basement levels, the project reduced the upfront embodied carbon by 58% compared to a new build.

Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels provide about 60% of the lighting for parking, 30% of the lighting in communal areas, and 40% of elevator operation.

Enabled by courtyards, passive shading, and high-performance façades, the building offers natural ventilation for about 125 working days per year.

“Oriente Green Campus demonstrates that responsible carbon guardianship and vigorous economic growth can be compatible,” KPF principal John Bushell said in a statement. “The design team worked hard to reduce the whole life carbon, while rejuvenating a blighted site and contributing to Lisbon’s innovation ecosystem.”

Construction on the original building, designed as a retail mall, stalled in 2012. The original plan created deep retail units around a large, central, and rectangular space.

For Oriente Green Campus, the central area was divided into three generously sized courtyards. The project also created smaller, more intimate courtyards for the dedicated use of office occupants, providing workplaces with natural light and views. 

Stepped floorplates, with larger lower floors and smaller upper floors, create terraces within the building, creating the impression of working within a garden. Spanning 9.1 acres, the terraces and rooftop feature a sky walk with views of Lisbon, garden co-working spaces, resting corners, outdoor workshops, event space, sky gardens, and seated gathering areas.

“Today, the Oriente Green Campus is an open, fluid space where natural light and green areas foster creativity,” Miguel Saraiva, S+A CEO and founder, said in the statement.

Amenities include multiuse spaces, an auditorium, cafeteria, bike park, gym, and locker room, all connected by walking routes, verandas, and terraced courtyards. In addition to the terraces, the exterior offers public event spaces and food and beverage facilities, including a rooftop food truck. 

On the project team: Orion Capital Managers (owner), Multiusos Oriente FIIF (developer), Norfin (fund manager), KPF (design architect), Saraiva + Associados (architect of record), LJ-Group (landscape architect), JSJ (structural engineer), Mota-Engil (contractor), Engexpor (construction manager).