Lisbon’s abandoned mall has been transformed into the vibrant Oriente Green Campus by Kohn Pedersen Fox, Saraiva+Associados, and landscape studio LJ-Group. Once a stalled commercial project left untouched since 2012, the massive structure now serves as a forward-thinking innovation hub filled with offices, laboratories, academic facilities, and collaborative workspaces. The project stands as one of Lisbon’s most ambitious examples of adaptive reuse and sustainable urban regeneration.
Adaptive Reuse of Lisbon’s Abandoned Mall Shapes a Sustainable Future
Instead of demolishing the abandoned structure, the design team preserved an impressive 91 percent of the existing building. This strategic approach significantly reduced embodied carbon emissions by nearly 58 percent compared to constructing a completely new development. Spanning approximately 452,000 square feet, the campus now includes three above-ground levels and three basement floors, all revitalized through sustainable design strategies.
More than 20,500 square feet of new green space were integrated into the campus, introducing landscaped courtyards, terraces, and planted rooftop areas that reconnect architecture with nature. The development also became Lisbon’s first project to achieve LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum certifications, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility and occupant well-being.
Courtyards, Terraces, and Roofscapes Create a Dynamic Campus Experience
The Oriente Green Campus by KPF & Saraiva+Associados is organized around a large rectangular central zone subdivided into multiple courtyards. Stepped floorplates create terraces across the upper levels, allowing workspaces to open toward greenery and daylight. The lower floors extend outward while the upper levels gradually step back, producing a layered architectural composition that enhances openness and visual connectivity.
One of the project’s most striking features is its walkable rooftop landscape. Curving geometries, lush planted zones, and an undulating architectural plane give the campus a sculptural identity while encouraging outdoor interaction. Verandas, pathways, and terraced courtyards link the entire development together, creating an environment designed for movement, creativity, and social engagement.
Flexible Interiors Designed for Innovation and Collaboration
Originally conceived for retail functions, the former mall structure provided large open floorplates that could easily be adapted into flexible work environments. Today, tenants can customize interior layouts according to their operational needs, making the campus suitable for technology companies, educational institutions, and research organizations alike.
Inside, exposed concrete waffle slab ceilings preserve traces of the building’s original character, while sweeping wooden ceiling forms add warmth and fluidity to selected areas. Bright sculptural staircases painted in white connect the different levels and face directly toward the courtyards, strengthening the relationship between interior and exterior spaces.
The campus also incorporates amenities, including an auditorium, gym, cafeteria, bike parking facilities, and locker rooms, all intended to support a modern and collaborative workplace culture.
Smart Environmental Strategies Reduce Energy Consumption
Passive environmental design plays a major role throughout the campus. High-performance insulation systems in the walls and roof reduce operational energy demands, while passive shading strategies help control solar heat gain. Natural ventilation can reportedly be used for nearly one-third of the year, further lowering energy consumption.
A large rooftop photovoltaic system powers substantial portions of the development’s daily operations, including parking area lighting, communal spaces, and elevator systems. These sustainable interventions position the Oriente Green Campus as a benchmark for environmentally conscious adaptive reuse in Europe.
A New Chapter for Lisbon’s Innovation Ecosystem
The project introduces a new model for sustainable urban transformation that brings together architecture, landscape, and innovation. Through adaptive reuse, environmental stewardship, and people-centered design, KPF and Saraiva+Associados have successfully transformed a dormant commercial shell into one of Lisbon’s most progressive and socially engaging campuses.
Image Credit: Fernando Guerra