A public presentation session brings together experts in urban revitalization and is attended by the Vice President of the Matosinhos City Council.

 

Spark (Smart Park Matosinhos) was formally presented as a multifunctional business centre that recovers and brings to modernity an iconic space in the municipality, the old Lactogal factory. With a planned investment of 35 million euros, this project, developed by the Castro Group, reinforces its commitment to urban revitalization and the creation of workspaces available to accommodate various companies, as well as restaurant and leisure areas, promoting the economic regeneration of this area of ​​the Porto Metropolitan Area.

This new venture in Matosinhos includes a total construction area of ​​27,200 m², with around 11,500 m² of offices, flex working/coworking areas, and 1,800 m² dedicated to commerce and services. Spark aims to make the daily lives of users and the community easier. It will also feature 4,000 m² of recreational and communal areas, as well as a car park with 377 spaces, including electric charging points and areas for bicycles and scooters.

The works started in the last quarter of 2023 and are scheduled for completion in April 2025. This project, guided by  “Reframing MORE CONNECTED spaces”, reflects a unique combination of rehabilitation, technology, community, connection and nature.

The public presentation session on October 23rd was attended by the Vice-President of the Matosinhos City Council, who discussed the local impact of the project and the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the rehabilitation of urban areas. The event was also attended by Paulo Castro, CEO of Castro Group, and Paulo Merlini, the architect responsible for the project, who had the opportunity to present all the details of Spark.”

“Spark Matosinhos symbolizes our vision of urban revitalization, combining a historical legacy with sustainable innovation. We are excited about the opportunity to create a unique space here that will be a meeting point for people, ideas, business, architecture and nat”ure,” said Paulo Castro, CEO of Castro Group. “More than a business, the goal is for Spark Matosinhos to be a place of experiences, capable of awakening feelings of well-being in its users, motivating them to want to stay and return”, he concluded.

 

The presentation and technical visit to the site, which took place at Spark, also included a round table on the “me “City in Motion: Epicenters of dynamism, where renowned experts and representatives from the business and academic sectors discussed topics such as mobility, urban planning, sustainability, and new forms of work. They illustrated how the rehabilitation of industrial spaces can boost local and community economic development. Spark, therefore, promises to be a catalyst for urban development, attracting investment and improving local quality of life.

 

Sustainability and Innovation at Spark

 

Designed by Paulo Merlini Architects, Sparpromoteste interacts between companies and the community. It provides a dynamic environment that combines work and leisure with infrastructure that encourages sustainable mobility.

Paulo Merlini, CEO & Founding Member of Paulo Merlini Architects, mentions that “as architects responsible for the design of one of the first smart buildings in our country, we feel great pride in presenting a building that not only redefines the concept of workspace but also promotes sustainability and the well-being of its occupants. The entire building was designed holistically, integrating cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions and biophilic design.”

 

Spark was designed to obtain LEED, WELL, WiredScore, and SmartScore certifications, which together ensure that the project meets the highest sustainability standards. An example of this is that the project uses the BubbleDeck solution, which considerably reduces the use of concrete and steel, thus reducing CO₂ emissions and the consumption of natural resources. This solution improves the overall efficiency of the work, offers flexibility in the design, and provides an improvement in acoustic and thermal insulation.

The commitment to sustainability that characterizes this project was awarded in the sustainable architecture category at the 2023 Green Awards. This distinction recognizes Castro Group’s commitment to rehabilitation, technology, community, connection and nature.

 

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