MASSLAB Lisbon Office

The intervention was carried out from scratch and is structured through a deliberate contrast between raw existing elements and a brighter, more controlled interior palette. A concrete ceiling and steel details are combined with white lacquered desks and a white epoxy floor, establishing a clear working atmosphere while retaining traces of the original structure.

Natural light is treated as a primary organiser. Small semi-arched windows and a new large glass door bring daylight deep into the space. The door also operates as a visible threshold to the street, allowing passers-by to read the office as an active place of work. Artificial lighting complements this condition through a set of lamps calibrated to support focus and comfort across different moments of the day.

The layout prioritises collective work and informal exchange. Long communal desks support daily collaboration, while a circular table provides a more contained setting for smaller meetings. At the back of the space, a large metal shelving unit defines the end wall, storing models, books, and materials, and curving into the kitchen to connect work and support areas in a continuous line. A thin cork layer applied to the walls introduces an operational surface for pinning drawings, images, and working notes. Painted white, it reinforces visual continuity and brightness while supporting the studio’s day-to-day process of discussion and iteration.