Trofa Town Hall / NOARQ

Architects: NOARQ
Area: 6,232 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Duccio Malagamba
Lead Architect: José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira
City: Trofa
Country: Portugal

Trofa Town Hall, designed by NOARQ in Trofa, Portugal, repurposes the former “Indústria Alimentar Trofense” industrial complex into the city’s first dedicated municipal headquarters. Previously, local government offices operated from scattered locations for over 25 years. The design preserves the existing industrial structure while introducing five interconnected volumes that optimize circulation and functionality. Completed in 2023, the project prioritizes structural durability, energy efficiency, and low-maintenance materials, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this essential public facility.

Trofa Town Hall transforms the former “Indústria Alimentar Trofense” buildings into a permanent municipal headquarters, addressing the city’s longstanding absence of a dedicated administrative facility. As Portugal’s youngest municipality, Trofa operated for over 25 years without a centralized government building, relying on dispersed and temporary office spaces. The project establishes a formal civic presence in the southern part of the urban center, an area previously defined by incomplete and aging industrial structures.

The architectural intervention consists of five narrow, juxtaposed parallelepipeds spanning three floors. The first volume serves as a longitudinal circulation axis, connecting different areas of the building. Two additional blocks at either end of the original structure form the central core, housing municipal services. A third volume, attached to the west façade, was reconfigured to integrate with the existing structure while maintaining a relationship with the surrounding landscape. This space functions as a public area, fostering visual and spatial continuity across different levels.

The project occupies a 6,200.85 m² site, forming a 28-by-200-meter strip parallel to an abandoned railway line. The design necessitated a significant expansion, including an underground level to meet functional requirements. Only the original industrial building was preserved, while the new volumes maintained a restrained, cohesive architectural language. A fourth block at the southern end mirrors the role of the western volume, while a fifth, located underground, accommodates parking, technical services, and storage.

The completed structure spans 6,700 m², with a footprint of 1,996 m² and a maximum height of 17.14 meters. The design follows a minimalist and pragmatic approach, shaped by budget constraints and the need for long-term resilience. Given the financial challenges often associated with maintaining public buildings, the project prioritizes structural efficiency. Materials and construction techniques were selected for their durability, energy performance, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that the city hall remains a sustainable and enduring civic landmark.