ICON Douro Building l Luís Pedro Silva, arquitecto Lda

Architecture, Offices

The focal point of urban transformation, the ICON Douro venture, gracefully graces Oporto, nestled beside the bustling intersection that reigns as the nucleus of road activity in northern Portugal. A brainchild of Civilria, it proudly stands as the fresh home base for the esteemed Ageas Portugal Group.

With a generous expanse of 12,500 square meters, ICON Douro melds office spaces, dining amenities, and supplementary facilities. An accompanying gem is the prominent public garden, a private haven in stature strategically positioned within the city’s paramount commercial zone. This prime location seamlessly bridges the accessibility of the southern sector with the vital linkages to the primary seaport and airport infrastructures up north.

ICON Douro’s Design Concept

ICON Douro’s blueprint unfolds across three pivotal tiers: urban and environmental rejuvenation, the very essence and architectural dialect of the structure, and lastly, the zenith of quality residing within interior spaces. The latter realm echoes the harmonious symphony of expression, comfort, and functionality, a canvas where activities unfold for all tenants.

A triumphant achievement of the endeavor lies in rekindling the urban spirit in a precinct that had languished due to the erosion of its industrial origins. Amid this reimagined backdrop, the architectural marvel takes shape in a curvilinear matrix, meticulously attuned to the ebb and flow of motion and surroundings at the road nexus. The building’s horizontality is elegantly underscored by dynamic shading elements that ascend in opposing actions, culminating in a gently inclined rooftop, a mezzanine proclamation.

Central to the design ethos is the elongated and open heart of the ICON Douro building, a haven sheltered yet expansive. This core hub amplifies visual connectivity between various tiers, between distinct floors, and, ultimately, among diverse occupants. An influx of natural luminescence bathes the office spaces, meticulously engineered to reduce reliance on artificial illumination. This radiant infusion is facilitated by the core’s ingenuity, effectively doubling the number of façades. A meticulously crafted skylight gracing this core is calibrated to ensure optimal thermal equilibrium and comfort.

While the ensemble boasts the sturdiness of reinforced concrete walls and the elegance of glazed façades, the homage to the city’s heritage is unmistakable. Traditional materials, notably the venerable ceramic tile module, weave a cultural narrative into the very essence of the intervention.

Beyond the grandeur of street access lies the meticulous consideration invested in the terrain morphology of the garden. Shielded from the adjacent thoroughfare, the garden unfolds in tranquility. The opposing vista reveals a tranquil lake, a serene companion that augments the tapestry of this intervention’s ecological and aesthetic significance.

A universal consciousness for sustainable practices and decarbonization has permeated every design choice. The total of these meticulous measures, spanning diverse technical dimensions, has culminated in the prestigious BREEAM certification of “Excellent,” a resounding testament to ICON Douro’s commitment to a greener tomorrow.