Architect’s Office by Nuno Sampaio Arquitetos | Portugal.

Well… If this isn’t the quintessential architects office then I know nothing about anything! Seriously, this workplace literally screams “architects” to me, which is a bit of a paradox given it so understated and restrained. Designed by Portuguese architects Nuno Sampaio Arquitetos as their own office, the overall warehouse space is divided in the middle to make room for another architectural practice.

Some things I like – smaller freestanding dark metal pavilion housed within the larger white space creates a lovely contrast and a dramatic “spatial compression”; generous central skylight which illuminates the space during the day; clever use of indirect lighting (gets me every time!); original timber ceiling structure etc. Even though the overall aesthetic is probably a touch too austere for my liking, slightly intimidating even, I think this could still be a nice place to work. Basically nothing a few cans of paint a couple of graffiti artist couldn’t fix. Ha!

[Photography by FG + SG via ArchDaily.]