Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro by GRAU.ZERO Architecture is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

BuronzeImbere y'Inyubako· 2026

Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro

by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Client: GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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The Design

About Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro

Forvis Mazars ni igishushanyo cy'imbere mu biro giherereye ku rukingirizo rumwe rw'inyubako ya Icon Douro i Porto, muri Porutugali. Aho hakorerwa hafite ubuso bwa metero kare zigera kuri 700 kandi hakubiyemo aho abakozi bakorera ku giti cyabo, uduzu tw'itumanaho, ahantu ho gukorera hamwe, ibyumba by'inama, aho kwakirira abashyitsi n'ahandi hafasha mu mirimo. Imiterere y'ahantu ishyigikira uburyo bwo gukora buhinduka byuzuye bushingiye ku mahame ya "clean desk" no gukorera aho ariho hose. Ibumba ryakozwe n'intoki rifite imiterere idasanzwe hamwe n'amabuye karemano bihujwe n'impaho z'ibiti byoroshye hamwe n'ubuso bugaragaza urumuri. Ibikoresho byongeye gukoreshwa hamwe n'amabara aciriritse bituma haba ahantu hatuje kandi hadashira igihe.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Forvis Mazars Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Biro ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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