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Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina by GRAU.ZERO Architecture is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronze in Disseny d'Espais Interiors i Exposicions Competition Category.


BronzeInterior· 2026

Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina

by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Client: GRAU.ZERO Architecture

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Interior Category

Colors

The Design

About Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina

Forvis Mazars és un interior d'oficina situat en una sola planta de l'edifici Icon Douro a Porto, Portugal. L'espai de treball ocupa uns 700 metres quadrats i inclou llocs de treball individuals, cabines telefòniques, àrees col·laboratives, sales de reunions, una recepció i espais de suport. La distribució dona suport a un model de treball totalment flexible basat en les pràctiques de taula neta (clean desk) i oficina en qualsevol lloc (anywhere office). L'estuc texturat artesanal i la pedra natural es combinen amb panells de fusta xapada i superfícies que reflecteixen la llum. Els materials reciclats i una paleta de colors neutres creen un ambient tranquil i atemporal.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina és un guanyador del guardó A' Design Award de Bronze, un reconeixement altament prestigiós concedit a dissenys sobresortints que es distingeixen per la creativitat, l'enginy i l'astúcia. Els guanyadors de Bronze són artefactes ampliament hàbils i sorprenentment creatius que autentiquen la vasta experiència, la imaginació i el recurs dels seus dissenyadors. Es preveu que Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina sigui un objecte molt apreciat, admirat i estimat, notablement professional i innovador. Aquest disseny guanyador del guardó A' Design Award de Bronze incorpora les millors pràctiques de l'art, la ciència, el disseny i la tecnologia i és excel·lent per la seva atenció al detall. Forvis Mazars Disseny d'Interiors d'Oficina satisfà esplèndidament les necessitats, toca els desitjos, encisa els sentiments i crida la curiositat.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
For Forvis Mazars' new offices in Porto, our aim was to make the company’s core values the guiding thread of the physical space, reflecting its identity, positioning, and ambition.
To avoid the conventional appearance of a workspace and create a timeless spatial identity, we embraced a concept based on full flexibility, in line with the company's existing clean desk and anywhere office practices. The result is a rich yet calm sensory environment that evokes emotion and encourages focus.
Dimensions & Packaging
The project spans approximately 700 square meters, located on a single floor within the Icon Douro building in Porto, Portugal. The spatial programme comprises individual workstations, phone booths, collaborative areas, meeting rooms, a reception and support spaces. All designed to support a fully flexible working model based on clean desk and anywhere office practices.
Tags
Office Interior, Workplace Architecture, Portuguese Architecture, Porto
Production Technology
The project is characterised by a layered material strategy, juxtaposing handcrafted textured plaster and natural stone with veneer wood panels, and light-reflecting surfaces. The use of recycled materials contributes to its sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with virgin raw materials. The colour scheme features a neutral palette with subtle accents of colour. Flexibility and collaboration in the use of space were also key, as was a strong visual identity.
Design Challenge
The primary challenge was to move away from the traditional, rigid, institutional image typically associated with audit and advisory firms while reflecting the global stature and identity of the company. The solution was a concept built on duality that embraced imperfection as an aesthetic value by juxtaposing contrasting materials and finishes. This balance of opposing qualities transformed the conventional corporate space into a timeless, human-centred environment.
Research
The team analysed the company's existing offices, values and brand identity as a global leader in audit, tax and advisory services. Given its presence in over 100 countries, the aim was to strike a balance between precision and subjectivity. The result is a flexible, human-centred environment that challenges the traditional appearance of a workspace. It is sensorially rich yet calm, creating an emotionally engaging and focused setting.
Inspiration
Given the global nature of Forvis Mazars, the conceptual approach was built on duality, aiming to strike a balance between technological precision and artisanal subjectivity.
Handcrafted, bespoke, natural and organic elements coexist with rational, precise and technological elements. Reflective surfaces are juxtaposed with coarser materials, such as textured plaster and stone. This creates a narrative in which this constant dialogue between opposites enriches the space with depth and emotion.
Project Duration
The project was completed in 2024 and is located in Porto, Portugal, at the Icon Douro building.
Operation Flow
In pursuit of a spatial identity that aligns with the organisation's values, we embraced the concept of full flexibility, incorporating clean desk and anywhere office principles. The spatial proposal integrates collaborative areas and cutting-edge technology, with a particular focus on people’s well-being. Despite the increasingly digital nature of the workplace, our goal was to create an environment in which productivity, mental health, innovation and human connection can coexist.
Team Members
Main Architect: Sérgio Manuel Nobre
Collaboration: Renata Caetano Pereira
Stefani Goulart
Builder: Fantoffice, Lda
Mechanical engineering: Eng. Fernando Oliveira (Master Eletric)
Lighting Design: Eng. Marco Gomes (Amperengenharia)
Mechanical Engineering: Eng. João Silva Ferreira
Electrical Engineering: Eng. Marco Gomes (Amperengenharia)
Image Credits
Image #1: Ivo Tavares Studio - Architectural Photographer
Image #2: Ivo Tavares Studio - Architectural Photographer
Image #3: Ivo Tavares Studio - Architectural Photographer
Image #4: Ivo Tavares Studio - Architectural Photographer
Image #5: Ivo Tavares Studio - Architectural Photographer

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