Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala by GRAU.ZERO Architecture is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.

InsimbiEzokwakha· 2026

Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala

by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Client: GRAU.ZERO Architecture

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category

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Colors

The Design

About Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala

Isakhiwo se-Campus F.03 esinezitezi eziyisikhombisa sathuthukiswa ngokugxila engxenyeni ebheke emgwaqweni, sikhombisa ubuso besakhiwo obunamandla nobunesigqi kanye noshintsho oluhamba kancane phakathi kwezinhlangothi, sihlanganisa isakhiwo nobuhle ngokusebenzisa ukupholishwa kwesimanje okubushelelezi kanye nemihlobiso yokhuni efudumele. Uhlaka lwesakhiwo, oluchazwa yizinsika nemishayo, lwakha isakhiwo esinesigqi kubo bonke ubuso besakhiwo, luhlukana kancane kancane uma luya ezitezi ezingaphezulu, kukhona ukudlalisana phakathi kokugcwele nokuvulekile okuzuzwa ngezindonga, ingilazi, nezikhala ezivulekile phakathi kwezinsika.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Campus F.03 Isakhiwo Sokuhlala iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Campus F.03 building comprises seven floors and a total of 23 residential units, as well as commercial space.
The building offers a variety of residential units, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. The smaller units are situated on the lower floors, while larger units are located on the upper floors, providing spacious accommodation for larger apartments and optimising space, allowing a dynamic and rhythmic facade.
Dimensions & Packaging: The project, which totals 2040 square metres, was constructed on a 677,5 square metre plot.
The building has six floors above ground and one below. The residential units comprise 23 properties, divided into the following categories: studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom. There is one ground-floor commercial space.
Tags: Residential Architecture, Contemporary Architecture, Portuguese Architecture, Facade Design, Aveiro
Production Technology: The building's material palette blends modernity with warmth, ensuring its integration into the neighbourhood's aesthetic. The façade features CIN's Etics colour system in reference 0731, complemented by light oak wood sheeting on the blind walls. Railings made from micro-perforated sheet metal, painted RAL 6028, are topped with solid light oak wood, creating a cohesive and inviting design. These materials were chosen not only for their visual appeal but also for their durability and compatibility with the surrounding architecture.
Design Challenge: The project addresses the challenge of integrating a multifunctional building into a consolidated urban perimeter, balancing volume, functionality, and aesthetics. Innovation lies in the recessed volumetric strategy, designed to respect site elevation changes and create smooth urban transitions. The use of a portico structure elevates the façade composition through a dynamic rhythm of solids and voids, articulating pillars, beams, opaque planes, and transparent surfaces.
Research: By analysing the urban fabric and community demographics of the Liceu neighbourhood in Aveiro, the team identified two types of housing in demand: family housing and student accommodation near the University of Aveiro. The outcome was a mixed-use building comprising 23 apartments and a commercial space on the ground floor. The design of the building aims to revitalise the neighbourhood by creating dynamic, multifunctional spaces that foster a harmonious blend of residents.
Inspiration: Inspired by the need for urban revitalization and community integration, Campus F.03 presents a cohesive development that combines housing and commerce. The structural frame, marked by the pillars and beams, is used to achieve a gradual transition between elevations. This creates an aesthetic rhythm in the facades that are gradually defragmented until reaching the total number of floors, with an interplay between solid and void. This is achieved by using walls and glass, or simply open spaces.
Project Duration: The project, which began in 2019, is located in Aveiro, Portugal, and was completed in 2023.
Operation Flow: Access to the residential units is located along Rua de São Sebastião, where vertical circulation elements, including staircases and elevators, connect all floors. This arrangement allows the ground floor to be almost entirely dedicated to a large commercial establishment, adding vibrancy to the area. By blending residential and commercial uses, the building contributes to the neighbourhood's economic and social vitality, making it more than just a place to live.
Team Members: Main architect: Sérgio Manuel Nobre
Collaboration: Joana Barbedo
Rui Pacheco
Paula Pereira
Construction: Brisa de ieias, Lda
Supervision: Rogério Silva
Engineering: J.pino (Engenharia Lda)
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