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WellBe – Caixa Geral de Depósitos HQ
WellBe – Caixa Geral de Depósitos HQ
Lisbon, Portugal
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Other Projects by Saraiva + Associados
WellBe – Caixa Geral de Depósitos HQ
Lisbon, Portugal
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2025
SIZE
500,000 sqft - 1,000,000 sqft
Concept and Urban Integration:
The project is located on a unique plot at the southern end of the long Avenida Dom João II, adjacent to a roundabout. To maximize its relationship with the public space, the building adopts an "L" shaped footprint, leaning against the western and northern boundaries of the plot and freeing up a vast area around the roundabout.
The podium fills the plot and gently descends at its southeastern corner to the sidewalk level, taking the form of a "green dune" or a "green veil." This undulating surface creates a fluid transition that invites the public into the site, leading to an intimate plaza that acts as the project's nerve center. It is in this inner square that the main entrance lobby is located, designed with a ceiling height that spans the entire height of the podium.
Architecture, Modulation, and Flexibility:
The main office volume consists of two perpendicular bands, 11 and 10 stories high, interconnected by a lower central body of 5 stories. The roof of this intermediate articulation is accessible and serves as a fire refuge area.
The interior layout was conceived under the ultimate premise of flexibility, using an 810 cm structural module that perfectly matches the 135 cm facade modulation. This spatial mathematics guarantees enormous savings in sqm/person ratios and allows for rapid adaptations between closed office layouts or vast open spaces. The building also ensures a clear ceiling height of 3.00 m (floor to ceiling) in the work areas, supported by suspended ceilings and raised floors that accommodate all technological and climate control infrastructures. The vertical access cores are centralized, grouping elevators, restrooms, and technical shafts, freeing up the facade areas for visual enjoyment and natural lighting.
Materiality, Facades, and Bioclimatic Design:
Aesthetically, the building assumes a contemporary and highly lightweight language. The facades are fully glazed and rhythmicized by a shading system composed of horizontal and vertical fiberglass fins in matte white (RAL 9010), supported by a metallic structure. In an elegant contrast, the thermo-lacquered aluminum window frames are presented in a dark grey tone (RAL 7021). Strategically, the vertical fins were omitted on the North facade (where there is no excessive solar gain) and on the 6th-floor level, creating an intentional visual break in the volumetry. All floors are also equipped with screen blinds to block direct sunlight in the work areas.
Sustainability and Site Heritage:
Environmental commitment is the pillar of this "Smart Building," which was designed to reach passive or NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards. The predominant East-Northeast (ENE) to West-Southwest (WSW) orientation optimizes solar exposure, ensuring thermal gains in winter and preventing overheating in summer through the facade design and cross-natural ventilation strategies. In addition to rigorous passive thermal control, the building integrates active mechanical systems, including the collection and retention of rainwater, as well as the recycling of greywater for non-potable purposes, such as washing and irrigation.
Finally, the project has a strong character of urban regeneration. The site was once occupied by Petrogal's fuel storage infrastructures, associated with the old Cabo Ruivo Refinery. The construction of this development required an extensive soil decontamination operation, removing petroleum hydrocarbons and healing an industrial wound from the city of Lisbon's past.
The project is located on a unique plot at the southern end of the long Avenida Dom João II, adjacent to a roundabout. To maximize its relationship with the public space, the building adopts an "L" shaped footprint, leaning against the western and northern boundaries of the plot and freeing up a vast area around the roundabout.
The podium fills the plot and gently descends at its southeastern corner to the sidewalk level, taking the form of a "green dune" or a "green veil." This undulating surface creates a fluid transition that invites the public into the site, leading to an intimate plaza that acts as the project's nerve center. It is in this inner square that the main entrance lobby is located, designed with a ceiling height that spans the entire height of the podium.
Architecture, Modulation, and Flexibility:
The main office volume consists of two perpendicular bands, 11 and 10 stories high, interconnected by a lower central body of 5 stories. The roof of this intermediate articulation is accessible and serves as a fire refuge area.
The interior layout was conceived under the ultimate premise of flexibility, using an 810 cm structural module that perfectly matches the 135 cm facade modulation. This spatial mathematics guarantees enormous savings in sqm/person ratios and allows for rapid adaptations between closed office layouts or vast open spaces. The building also ensures a clear ceiling height of 3.00 m (floor to ceiling) in the work areas, supported by suspended ceilings and raised floors that accommodate all technological and climate control infrastructures. The vertical access cores are centralized, grouping elevators, restrooms, and technical shafts, freeing up the facade areas for visual enjoyment and natural lighting.
Materiality, Facades, and Bioclimatic Design:
Aesthetically, the building assumes a contemporary and highly lightweight language. The facades are fully glazed and rhythmicized by a shading system composed of horizontal and vertical fiberglass fins in matte white (RAL 9010), supported by a metallic structure. In an elegant contrast, the thermo-lacquered aluminum window frames are presented in a dark grey tone (RAL 7021). Strategically, the vertical fins were omitted on the North facade (where there is no excessive solar gain) and on the 6th-floor level, creating an intentional visual break in the volumetry. All floors are also equipped with screen blinds to block direct sunlight in the work areas.
Sustainability and Site Heritage:
Environmental commitment is the pillar of this "Smart Building," which was designed to reach passive or NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards. The predominant East-Northeast (ENE) to West-Southwest (WSW) orientation optimizes solar exposure, ensuring thermal gains in winter and preventing overheating in summer through the facade design and cross-natural ventilation strategies. In addition to rigorous passive thermal control, the building integrates active mechanical systems, including the collection and retention of rainwater, as well as the recycling of greywater for non-potable purposes, such as washing and irrigation.
Finally, the project has a strong character of urban regeneration. The site was once occupied by Petrogal's fuel storage infrastructures, associated with the old Cabo Ruivo Refinery. The construction of this development required an extensive soil decontamination operation, removing petroleum hydrocarbons and healing an industrial wound from the city of Lisbon's past.
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