GREEN ROOFTOPS

Text description provided by the architects. As cities grow denser and the boundaries between work, learning and leisure blur, new urban models must emerge—ones that prioritise people, climate resilience and balance with nature. Oriente Green Campus, located in Lisbon's eastern business district, embodies this vision. Transforming an abandoned commercial complex into a contemporary green hub, the project unites education, work and landscape within a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem.

Set on a 3.7-hectare site with 42,000 m² of built area and over 19,000 m² of green surfaces, the campus redefines the relationship between architecture and landscape in urban rehabilitation. It turns flat rooftops, terraces and patios into immersive outdoor environments that support biodiversity, social interaction and sustainable living.

The landscape unfolds vertically across four floors, offering diverse experiences throughout the day. A panoramic rooftop skywalk crowns the building, opening views over Lisbon and the Tagus. It functions as an active space for co-working, leisure and informal gatherings. Terraces and courtyards host adaptive vegetation and organic forms of paving, complemented by seating zones, pergolas, and outdoor classrooms that create a flowing "green rhythm" through the building.

Home to Universidade Europeia, IADE – Faculty of Design, and IPAM – Marketing School under The Europa Education Group, the campus anticipates a future of flexible, hybrid environments. The landscape acts as an informal extension of learning and collaboration, with spaces that can become outdoor classrooms, amphitheater seating, and event lawns that invite students and professionals to engage beyond traditional interiors. Here, landscape becomes a central actor in daily life—both a social connector and a catalyst for creativity.

Being the first project in Portugal to achieve both LEED and WELL certifications together, the project integrates passive and active sustainability measures. Green roofs help mitigate the heat island effect, enhance biodiversity, and improve thermal comfort. Photovoltaic panels supply renewable energy, while efficient systems and intelligent management reduce overall consumption. Water-sensitive design strategies—bioswales, low-flow irrigation, and low-maintenance native species—ensure resilience and long-term efficiency.

The landscape defines the identity of Oriente Green Campus. From ground level to rooftop, vegetation flows between indoor and outdoor spaces, establishing a strong biophilic connection that enhances well-being and creativity. The result is a living framework that fosters belonging. Students, employees, and locals share open, accessible outdoor areas that adapt to evolving needs—hosting cultural events, coworking spaces, or everyday leisure.

Winner of the Iberian Property Awards' "Green Asset Initiative of the Year", Oriente Green Campus stands as a forward-looking model of sustainable urban transformation. It demonstrates how design, ecology, and education can converge to renew existing structures and shape a more resilient, human-centered city.

ORIENTE GREEN CAMPUS
LOCATION Lisbon, Portugal
ARCHITECT Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Saraiva + Associados and LJ-Group Landscape Architecture
PHOTOGRAPHY Ivo Tavares Studio