Biography

ATELIER CENTRAL (AC) was founded in 1996 by José Martinez Silva, the company’s CEO and main leader architect, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Lisbon (FAUTL) in 1989. The office works internationally, designing and developing projects in numerous areas, such as residential, public and private equipments, offices, retails and corporate design.

AC faces each challenge with enthusiasm and responsibility, despite its purpose or dimension. Driven and inspired by values of excellence, the office always tries to make the creative process as participative as it can be, engaging custumers and all other parties involved, so that everyone works together as a whole. The design process is supposed to achieve a consistent idea, always respecting the location, surroundings and history. It must have its own identity, without forgetting the creative and intelligent management of the available resources, in order to meet budget and schedule.

Although AC's specialized in brand design and has been working as a corporate design consultant for General Motors Portugal since 1990's, it has won several international competitions and impotant awards in many areas, such as 2023 4 Future Awards - Best of Best, several nominations as ArchDaily's Best Project of the year in 2022/23, 2017 American Architecture Prize - The Firm of the Year Awards, 2016 International Space Design Awards Idea-Tops, Valmor Award in 2011 and Conde de Oeiras Award in 1999, and it also has numerous publications in highly acclaimed magazines, the built portfolio includes schools, hotels, resorts, factories, automotive facilities, healthcare facilities, offices, apartments and private houses in Portugal, Germany, England, Spain, Angola and Mozambique.

 

 

Portfolio

Awards

2024

ArchDaily - Best Project of 2023 Nomination with House in Praia Verde

2023

4 Future Awards - Best of Best with House in Praia Verde
4 Future Awards - Silver Award with Cas'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments
Architizer A+Awards Mention in the Architecture + Branding Category with BMW Ultimate Drive Luxury
ArchDaily - Best Project of 2022 Nomination with Cas'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments

2022

Archello - Atelier Central Arquitectos between the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Lisbon
Archilovers - Nomination for Best Project of 2022 with Casa'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments

2017

American Architecture Prize The Firm Of The Year Award

2016

Architizer A+Awards Special Mention For Bmwi City Sales Outlet In Lisbon

2015

Ideatops - Best Design Award Of Cultural Space For Montemor-O-Velho School
Ideatops - Nomination For The Best Commercial Space Design For Bmwi City Sales Outlet In Lisbon
Ideatops - Nomination For The Best Cultural Space Design For Kindergarten In Bicesse

2011

Prémio Valmor E Municipal De Arquitectura Winner With Vergílio Ferreira School
Compendium Of Exemplary Educational Facilities Selection By Oecd With Kindergarten In Bicesse

2008

Biau Vi Nominated Project With House In Azeitão
Habitar Portugal 2006/2008, Selected Project, House In Azeitão

2007

Nominated For The Secil Prize Of Architecture With The House In Azeitão
Audi Forum, London - Competition, 1St Place

2006

Secil Award 2006, Project For Quinta Dos Fóios House, Lot 55 In Azeitão - Nominee Project​

2003

Project For A Day Nursery And Kindergarten, In Bicesse, Estoril (Lisbon, Portugal) - 1St Place​

2001

Project For Europan 6 International Competition, Architectural Dynamics And New Urbanity - Proposal For The Urban Area Of Setúbal With Bairro De Santos Nicolau - Pre-Selected

2000

Project For The New Facilities Of The Instituto De Informática E Estatística Da Segurança Social (Iess) And Inatel In Parcela 1.06.2.4, Pp1, Parque Expo, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place

1999

Conde De Oeiras Architecture Municipality Award (Council Of Oeiras), Project For The Local Culture Centre Located In Pedreira Italiana, Oeiras - 1St Place

1998

Entreposto Building Facades Remodelling, Cabo Ruivo, Lisbon - Competition, 2Nd Place

1991

Project For The New Facilities Of The Instituto Superior De Ciências Sociais E Políticas, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place
Project For The Monument To The Overseas Territory Fighter, Belém, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place​

1990

Project For The New Facilities Of The Superior Institute Of Economy And Management - Competition, 3Rd Place
Project For The Rehabilitation Of The Castle Wall Located In Óbidos - Ideas Competition, 3Rd Place

1988

Project For The Renovation Of The Tejo River Banks - Competition, Honorary Mention
Project For The Renovation And Enlargement Of The Museum House Of Verdades De Faria (Original Architectural Project By Raul Lino) In Estoril - Competition, 1St Place

Publications

2024

Cas'Amaro - Casas de Portugal Properties

2022

Cas'Amaro - Attitude

2021

House in Torres Vedras - G&G Magazine

2016

House in Paço de Arcos - Hise N. 96

2013

Montemor-o-Velho School & House in Paço de Arcos - Arqa N. 110
House in Torres Vedras - Portuguese Contemporary Houses

2012

Bicesse Kindergarden - Uzina Books, Atelier Central

2011

Arquitectura & Construção, N.64
Bicesse Kindergarden - Designing For Education

2010

House in Azeitão - The New Modern House
Josefa de Óbidos School - Newspaper Público 06/06/2010
House in Azeitão - Ville in Portogallo

2009

Casa da Fustiga - A | T 7/8 2009
House in Azeitão - Arq/A N. 67

2008

House in Azeitão - Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture
Bicesse Kindergarden - Detail, 2008/3, Kindergäten
House in Azeitão - Dwell, N.7 Vol.8

2007

1000 European Architecture
House in Azeitão - A+U, 07:04, N.439
House in Azeitão - Av Monographs, N.120
Bicesse Kindergarden - Núcleo Cascais XXI
House in Azeitão - 24 Houses
Bicesse KIndergarden - Arq/ A N.41, 01/2007

2006

Opel Showroom Aveiro - Arquitectura Iberica, N.14, 4/2006
House in Alentejo - + Arquitectura N.08, 12/2006

2005

Volkswagen Grufecar - Arquitectura E Vida N. 60
House in Caxias - Prémio De Arquitectura, Tijolo Face À Vista

2001

Catalogue Of The Europan 6 International Competition

2000

Culture Center - Monograph Of The Oeiras Architecture Project For The Local Cultural Centre, Oeiras

1999

Auto Industrial Opel - Lisboa Urbanismo, Jul/Aug, Year 2, N.06
Cultural Center - Jornal Dos Arquitectos, N. 190

1998

Architécti N. 46
Cultural Center - Monograph Of The Terceira Trienal De Arquitectura De Sintra
Cultural Center - CMO Brochure For The Cultural Centre
Restaurant and Bar in Estoril - Architécti N. 41

1995

Monograph of the Fourth National Architecture Exhibition
Restaurant and Bar in Estoril - Architécti n.28

1994

Architécti n.26
Architécti n.25

1993

Index Nacional de Arquitectura

1992

Ultramar Belém - Third National Architecture Exhibition

1991

ISEG - Jornal dos Arquitectos n.94/95

1990

Jornal dos Arquitectos n.92

Team

José Martinez

CEO / Founder

Sofia Sequeira

Finances & Management

João Graça

Architect

Rafael Santorum

Architect

Cristina Vieira

Architect

Inês Mota

Architect

Inês Lopes

Architect

Aleksandra Bos

Intern Architect

Jakub Augustynowicz

Intern Architect

Manuel do Ó

Intern

Sofia Martinez

Intern

Atelier

ATELIER CENTRAL (AC) was founded in 1996 by José Martinez Silva, the company’s CEO and main leader architect, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Lisbon (FAUTL) in 1989. The office works internationally, designing and developing projects in numerous areas, such as residential, public and private equipments, offices, retails and corporate design.

AC faces each challenge with enthusiasm and responsibility, despite its purpose or dimension. Driven and inspired by values of excellence, the office always tries to make the creative process as participative as it can be, engaging custumers and all other parties involved, so that everyone works together as a whole. The design process is supposed to achieve a consistent idea, always respecting the location, surroundings and history. It must have its own identity, without forgetting the creative and intelligent management of the available resources, in order to meet budget and schedule.

Although AC's specialized in brand design and has been working as a corporate design consultant for General Motors Portugal since 1990's, it has won several international competitions and impotant awards in many areas, such as 2023 4 Future Awards - Best of Best, several nominations as ArchDaily's Best Project of the year in 2022/23, 2017 American Architecture Prize - The Firm of the Year Awards, 2016 International Space Design Awards Idea-Tops, Valmor Award in 2011 and Conde de Oeiras Award in 1999, and it also has numerous publications in highly acclaimed magazines, the built portfolio includes schools, hotels, resorts, factories, automotive facilities, healthcare facilities, offices, apartments and private houses in Portugal, Germany, England, Spain, Angola and Mozambique.

 

 

Portfolio

+

Awards

2024

ArchDaily - Best Project of 2023 Nomination with House in Praia Verde

2023

4 Future Awards - Best of Best with House in Praia Verde
4 Future Awards - Silver Award with Cas'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments
Architizer A+Awards Mention in the Architecture + Branding Category with BMW Ultimate Drive Luxury
ArchDaily - Best Project of 2022 Nomination with Cas'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments

2022

Archello - Atelier Central Arquitectos between the 25 Best Architecture Firms in Lisbon
Archilovers - Nomination for Best Project of 2022 with Casa'Amaro Wine Tourism Apartments

2017

American Architecture Prize The Firm Of The Year Award

2016

Architizer A+Awards Special Mention For Bmwi City Sales Outlet In Lisbon

2015

Ideatops - Best Design Award Of Cultural Space For Montemor-O-Velho School
Ideatops - Nomination For The Best Commercial Space Design For Bmwi City Sales Outlet In Lisbon
Ideatops - Nomination For The Best Cultural Space Design For Kindergarten In Bicesse

2011

Prémio Valmor E Municipal De Arquitectura Winner With Vergílio Ferreira School
Compendium Of Exemplary Educational Facilities Selection By Oecd With Kindergarten In Bicesse

2008

Biau Vi Nominated Project With House In Azeitão
Habitar Portugal 2006/2008, Selected Project, House In Azeitão

2007

Nominated For The Secil Prize Of Architecture With The House In Azeitão
Audi Forum, London - Competition, 1St Place

2006

Secil Award 2006, Project For Quinta Dos Fóios House, Lot 55 In Azeitão - Nominee Project​

2003

Project For A Day Nursery And Kindergarten, In Bicesse, Estoril (Lisbon, Portugal) - 1St Place​

2001

Project For Europan 6 International Competition, Architectural Dynamics And New Urbanity - Proposal For The Urban Area Of Setúbal With Bairro De Santos Nicolau - Pre-Selected

2000

Project For The New Facilities Of The Instituto De Informática E Estatística Da Segurança Social (Iess) And Inatel In Parcela 1.06.2.4, Pp1, Parque Expo, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place

1999

Conde De Oeiras Architecture Municipality Award (Council Of Oeiras), Project For The Local Culture Centre Located In Pedreira Italiana, Oeiras - 1St Place

1998

Entreposto Building Facades Remodelling, Cabo Ruivo, Lisbon - Competition, 2Nd Place

1991

Project For The New Facilities Of The Instituto Superior De Ciências Sociais E Políticas, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place
Project For The Monument To The Overseas Territory Fighter, Belém, Lisbon - Competition, 4Th Place​

1990

Project For The New Facilities Of The Superior Institute Of Economy And Management - Competition, 3Rd Place
Project For The Rehabilitation Of The Castle Wall Located In Óbidos - Ideas Competition, 3Rd Place

1988

Project For The Renovation Of The Tejo River Banks - Competition, Honorary Mention
Project For The Renovation And Enlargement Of The Museum House Of Verdades De Faria (Original Architectural Project By Raul Lino) In Estoril - Competition, 1St Place

Publications

2024

Cas'Amaro - Casas de Portugal Properties

2022

Cas'Amaro - Attitude

2021

House in Torres Vedras - G&G Magazine

2016

House in Paço de Arcos - Hise N. 96

2013

Montemor-o-Velho School & House in Paço de Arcos - Arqa N. 110
House in Torres Vedras - Portuguese Contemporary Houses

2012

Bicesse Kindergarden - Uzina Books, Atelier Central

2011

Arquitectura & Construção, N.64
Bicesse Kindergarden - Designing For Education

2010

House in Azeitão - The New Modern House
Josefa de Óbidos School - Newspaper Público 06/06/2010
House in Azeitão - Ville in Portogallo

2009

Casa da Fustiga - A | T 7/8 2009
House in Azeitão - Arq/A N. 67

2008

House in Azeitão - Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture
Bicesse Kindergarden - Detail, 2008/3, Kindergäten
House in Azeitão - Dwell, N.7 Vol.8

2007

1000 European Architecture
House in Azeitão - A+U, 07:04, N.439
House in Azeitão - Av Monographs, N.120
Bicesse Kindergarden - Núcleo Cascais XXI
House in Azeitão - 24 Houses
Bicesse KIndergarden - Arq/ A N.41, 01/2007

2006

Opel Showroom Aveiro - Arquitectura Iberica, N.14, 4/2006
House in Alentejo - + Arquitectura N.08, 12/2006

2005

Volkswagen Grufecar - Arquitectura E Vida N. 60
House in Caxias - Prémio De Arquitectura, Tijolo Face À Vista

2001

Catalogue Of The Europan 6 International Competition

2000

Culture Center - Monograph Of The Oeiras Architecture Project For The Local Cultural Centre, Oeiras

1999

Auto Industrial Opel - Lisboa Urbanismo, Jul/Aug, Year 2, N.06
Cultural Center - Jornal Dos Arquitectos, N. 190

1998

Architécti N. 46
Cultural Center - Monograph Of The Terceira Trienal De Arquitectura De Sintra
Cultural Center - CMO Brochure For The Cultural Centre
Restaurant and Bar in Estoril - Architécti N. 41

1995

Monograph of the Fourth National Architecture Exhibition
Restaurant and Bar in Estoril - Architécti n.28

1994

Architécti n.26
Architécti n.25

1993

Index Nacional de Arquitectura

1992

Ultramar Belém - Third National Architecture Exhibition

1991

ISEG - Jornal dos Arquitectos n.94/95

1990

Jornal dos Arquitectos n.92

Team

José Martinez

CEO / Founder

Sofia Sequeira

Finances & Management

João Graça

Architect

Rafael Santorum

Architect

Cristina Vieira

Architect

Inês Mota

Architect

Inês Lopes

Architect

Aleksandra Bos

Intern Architect

Jakub Augustynowicz

Intern Architect

Manuel do Ó

Intern

Sofia Martinez

Intern