Rehabilitation with Conversion of Uses in Industrial

Buildings
Marta Dabraio da Silva

Extended Abstract for Masters Dissertation in Construction and Rehabilitation

November 2013
Key words:
Alcntara; Rehabilitation; Conversion of Uses; Industrial Buildings;
Building Rehabilitation Techniques.

1. Introduction
The Masters Dissertation on the theme Rehabilitation with conversion of uses in industrial
buildings was carried out within the Master in Construction and Rehabilitation of Instituto Superior
Tcnico of the University of Lisbon, supervised by Professor Fernando Antnio Baptista Branco.
The industrialization occurred during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century in several
areas of Lisbon such as Alcntara was an important factor for the expansion of the city.
Subsequent abandonment of industrial functions throughout the 20th century resulted in an
indeterminacy of uses on those areas. Increasing consciousness on the patrimonial significance of
some of the older and more emblematic factories prevented their demolition, thus favouring their
rehabilitation. The concept of industrial heritage is now largely recognized and the conversion process
of these constructions is currently progressing. Issues raised during this process constitute a current
topic, for which this study intends to contribute through characterization and analysis of applicable
rehabilitation techniques.
The aim of the dissertation is to carry out a critical analysis regarding five conversion examples of
industrial buildings, in order to obtain conclusions that allow producing a set of recommendations to
designers who are in charge of such projects. For the selection of case studies, following criteria have
been defined:

riverfront location at Alcntara/Prazeres;

construction date in the 19th century or the first half of the 20th century;

relevance as a testimony of the citys Industrial History;

variety of levels of intervention and new uses in the sample.

For each case study, an identification of challenges in the adaptation to the new function (and
current legislation) is carried out, along with the characterization of constructive solutions adopted.
The relevant conclusions are drawn in the form of a critical analysis.

2. Historical context
2.1. Industries in Alcntara Valley
With an industrial past mainly related to traditional milling, Alcntara had its greatest development
as industrial hub from the late 18th century, as a result of the relocation of population from Lisbon after
the 1755 earthquake. In late 18th century, early 19th century, Alcntara specialized in leather and
textiles, trend in which fits the emergence of the Companhia de Fiao e Tecidos Lisbonense Factory,
in 1849. Starting from the second half of the 19th century, edge industries like milling emerged, among
which the Napolitana milling, silos and pasta factory compound, emerged in 1909.
The first half of the 20th century witnessed the construction of buildings with industrial functions as
diverse as the Lumiar Lamp Factory (emerged in the 30s), the cold storage for codfish and fruit known
as Pedro lvares Cabral Building (with construction initiated in 1939) and the Standard Elctrica
Factory for electrical equipment (built between 1945 and 1948). In the second half of the century, a
gradual exit of industries out of Alcntara has occured, phenomenon that led to the abandonment of
several industrial units, among which the considered buildings.
2.2. Industrial heritage
The 20th century witnessed the arising of a growing awareness on the value of industrial buildings
as heritage across industrialized countries. In Portugal, this increasing appreciation was witnessed by
the creation of organizations such as the Association for Industrial Archaeology of the Region of
Lisbon, the Portuguese Association of Industrial Archaeology and the Portuguese Association for
Industrial Heritage1. In terms of carried out conversions, at first they often served the purpose of
transformation into industrial museums. However, there is currently a growing number of conversions
for other uses, which include the selected case studies.

3. Rehabilitation methodologies
State of the art within conversion projects of industrial buildings includes criteria for the
assessment of conservation status of buildings, knowledge of current regulations, choice of
intervention methodologies and, finally, rehabilitation techniques.
Regarding the assessment of conservation status of buildings, the dissertation addresses
preliminary inspections and tests and the study of building pathology. On current regulations, it covers
laws and standards (relevant to Portugal) concerning heritage, structural security, fire safety, thermal
insulation, acoustics, vibrations, durability and maintenance. Within intervention methodologies,
theres a definition of various forms of intervention available in the context of rehabilitation, namely
protection, repair, restoration, consolidation and reinforcement. The dissertation then addresses the
issue of intervention criteria, based on relevant documents like the Athens Charter, the Venice
Charter, the Burra Charter, the Krakow Charter and the Nizhny Tagil Charter. The addressed
rehabilitation techniques were chosen based on their relevance for the case studies and are divided in
structural and non-structural techniques.

Names of associations translated by the author.

4. Characterization of cases

1 Former Standard Elctrica; 2 Former Lisbonense Fabric Factory; 3 Former A Napolitana Factory;
4 Former Cold Storage; 5 Former Lumiar Lamp Factory

Fig. 1 Cases location in aerial view

[Photo Credits: Google, 2012]

The cases all share the same location at the riverside area of Alcntara/Prazes, as shown in
Fig. 1. They were built between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, and thus have
construction characteristics representative of that period. They are the former Standard Elctrica
Factory, which was converted into the headquarters of the Metropolitana and Luiz Villas-Boas Jazz
School; the former Factory of the Companhia de Fiao e Tecidos Lisbonense, currently known as LX
Factory; the former Napolitana Milling and Pasta Factory, today the headquarters of multinational
company Auchan in Portugal; the Pedro lvares Cabral Building, a former cold storage which was
transformed into Museu do Oriente and headquarters of the Oriente Foundation; and former Lumiar
Lamp Factory, which was converted into the LisboaLoft housing building.

4.1. Former Standard Elctrica Factory

Former electrical equipment factory of the Standard Elctrica Company (Fig. 2) was built between
1945 e 1948, with project by architect Cottinelli Telmo. Presently, it belongs to the city of Lisbon, is
classified as a public interest building and hosts the music school and headquarters of Metropolitana,
the Luiz Villas-Boas Jazz School and a cafe/restaurant (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2 Ground floor plan of Standard Elctrica's

Factory, 1948

Fig. 3 Current headquarters of the Metropolitana

and Luiz Villas-Boas Jazz School, 2012

[Obra n. 8337]

The building originally had a reinforced concrete structure and scarce compartmentalisation, which
was an important feature for its adaptation to new functions. Conversion works were executed
gradually, with the main interventions focusing on creating compartmentalisations through lightweight
partitions. Two auditoriums (on floors 2 and 3), rooms and offices were created. Special attention was
given to coverings of pavements, walls and ceilings, in order to obtain good acoustic performance.
Employed materials differ between floors and even rooms, among which: foam panels in walls and
doors (Fig. 4), curtains near walls (Fig. 5), acoustic foam panels on walls (Fig. 6) and foam cubes or
fabrics suspended from ceilings.

Fig. 4 Wall
coverings made of
foam panels

Fig. 5 Acoustic control curtains in the

auditorium in floor 2

Fig. 6 Acoustic foam panels

In order to obtain better thermal properties, some of the interventions consisted in replacing
windows and creating a cavity wall through the use of plasterboards (on some peripheral walls) at the
Jazz School. Moreover, waterproofing works were done in terrace roofs by using bituminous sheets.

4.2. Former Companhia de Fiao e Tecidos Lisbonense Factory

Former Companhia de Fiao e Tecidos Lisbonense Factory was built between 1846 and 1849,
with architect Jos Pires da Fontes project. Facilities included machinery houses, a school and a
working-class neighborhood [Branco, 1983] and were planned on iron structure. Between 1961 and
1963 there were interventions for the enhancement of Anurio Comercial de Portugal facilities, with
project by architect Conceio Silva (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7 Ground floor plan of Anurio Comercial de Portugal, 1964

[Obra n. 5737]

In 2007, having the old industrial use of the building been abandoned, the proprietary company
rented it to LX Factory Property and Real Estate Administration and Development, a decision due to
the need to obtain profit from the land. [Obra n. 5737]. Nowadays, the facilities are working as a rental
space aimed to various activities (Fig. 8), of temporary nature.
From the old manufacturing facility, this study only considers the central construction, consisting of
a five stories volume (volume A) and of another one of a single story (volume B). Both were
characterized, before the conversion, for having wide spaces. Their structure is metallic, with circular
section columns. Floors are made of brick jack arch covered by floor screed [Carvalho, 2009] and
walls are in masonry.

Fig. 8 LX Factory, 2012

Fig. 9 Floor
compartmentalisation
with lightweight
partitions

Fig. 10 Manufacturing machinery

exhibited along distribution corridors

The initial conversion didnt include structural intervention. The non-structural intervention
consisted essentially in the creation of compartments by using lightweight partitions from different
materials, many of whom without any finishings (Fig. 9). From an integrated heritage point of view, the
existing manufacturing machinery was kept and exhibited in the corridors (Fig. 10). Initial conversion,
of light intervention, was followed by partial renovation projects, more complete, focused on the
running of tenant companies activities.

4.3. Former Napolitana Milling and Pasta Factory

Napolitana Factory was built in 1909, on Vieillard & Touzets project. It remained in operation until
1970 [www.igespar.pt], when its buildings were transformed into offices. Nowadays the facilities are
home of Auchan headquarters in Portugal.
Facilities are constituted by several buildings organized around a courtyard, each one originally
aimed for a specific use: milling (Fig. 11), silos (Fig. 12), pasta production (Fig. 13) and machinery
house. Architectural language results from the use of materials arising from the industry itself, as iron
and cement, but mainly sand-lime brick, which was applied in a visual combination of white and grey
bricks.

Fig. 11 Main faade of the

milling building
[Source: A Construo Moderna, no.
285, quoted by Folgado, 2004]

Fig. 12 Longitudinal section

of silos building
[Source: A Construo Moderna,
no. 294, quoted by Folgado,
2004]

Fig. 13 East faade of the pasta

production building
[Source: A Construo Moderna, no. 286, quoted
by Folgado, 2004]

The factorys conversion (Fig. 14) didnt demand structural rehabilitation. Waterproofing works
were made on the roofs and a transformation of the interiors was carried out, mainly through space
compartmentalisation by using lightweight partitions.
The silos building was the one that suffered the biggest changes by the destruction of all the silage
system for office use adaptation [Folgado, 2004]. Old silos outlets were coated, thus covering these
important elements of integrated heritage (Fig. 15). No machinery was kept for future memory.
However, door trims with geometric motifs were kept (Fig. 16).

Fig. 14 Auchan headquarters in Portugal,

2012

Fig. 15 Old silos outlets coated with

lightweight partition materials

Fig. 16 Door trims with

geometric motifs

4.4. Pedro lvares Cabral Building Former Cold Storage

Pedro Alvares Cabral Building is a former cold storage, whose construction started in 1939 with
project by architect Joo Simes Antunes (Fig. 17). It was deactivated in 1992 and later converted in a
museum with proejct by architect Joo Lus Carrilho da Graa. Thus the Museu do Oriente was born,
opening in 2008 (Fig. 18). The building was classified as public interest monument in 2010.

Fig. 17 Perspective, preliminary design, 1938

Fig. 18 Pedro lvares Cabral Building, Museu do

Oriente, 2012

[Source: perspective drafts photo reproduction, gift from

Francisco George to Fundao Oriente,
quoted by Folgado et al., 2008]

The original building constituted of three volumes with independent structure and vertical
accesses, in which the east volume was dedicated to codfish storage and the west one to fruit and
vegetables. There were some challenges to the conversion, as the scarce existence of fenestrations
and the high density mesh of columns.
The creation of a new arranging structure inherent to the museums functions consisted on the
redefinition of vertical accesses and circulations (public and service) and on functional distribution by
floor [Fernandes et al., 2009].

Fig. 19 Structural reinforcement

with horizontal tie-rod system

Fig. 20 Column strapping with metal

sheets

Fig. 21 Column jacketing with

metal sheets

[Appleton, 2011]

[Appleton, 2011]

[Appleton, 2011]

The need for natural light diffusion originated the introduction of a glass lift in an old light-shaft and
of a skylight at the auditoriums and grand halls atrium [Ramos, 2011], as well as the creation of new
glass surfaces at the facades. A column demolition by a previous architectural project had led to the
need of structural reinforcement with a horizontal tie-rod system (Fig. 19). Structural intervention
included also column strapping (Fig. 20) and jacketing (Fig. 21) with metal sheets and construction of
new concrete slabs. From the ventilation point of view, the challenge imposed by the low height ceiling
was overcome by the creation of a visitable peripheral gallery, dedicated to air diffusion for exposition
areas [Ramos, 2011; Serrano, 2010]. Numerous partition walls were demolished, along with the cold
storage air-cooling equipment [Ramos, 2011], thus remaining no industrial machinery for future
memory.

4.5. Former Lumiar Lamp Factory

Former Lumiar Lamp Factory was built during the 30s of the 20th century. Between 2001 and
2004, the deactivated building (Fig. 22) was rehabilitated by architects Jos Lus Abreu and Miguel
Varela Gomes, with the objective of conversion into housing (Fig. 23).

Fig. 22 Deactivated Lumiar Lamp Factory, 2001

Fig. 23 LisboaLoft housing building, 2012

[Source: Architect Miguel Varela Gomes]

The structure of the building was characterized by load bearing walls in ordinary masonry of stone
and brick, columns made of pairs of UNP channels filled with a concrete core, metallic beams of INP
channels and jack arch floors [Appleton et al., 2003]. The main challenge to conversion consisted in
the existence of ceiling heights higher than 5 m. The typological solution found took advantage of the
building features, thus creating 77 lofts, with minimum compartmentalisation and introduction of
mezzanines (Fig. 24 and Fig. 25).

Fig. 24 1st floor plan, [2003]

Fig. 25 1st floor mezzanine plan, [2003]

[Source: Architect Miguel Varela Gomes]

[Source: Architect Miguel Varela Gomes]

Architectural and structural projects were influenced by the memory of the buildings industrial
origins. There was reinforcement of metal-concrete mixed columns (Fig. 26), of ordinary masonry
walls and of iron beams and jack arch floors. New levels were introduced, with steel-concrete
construction, in a contemporary version of the existing ones [Appleton et al., 2003].

Fig. 26 (a) Existing columns, (b) Existing columns correction and reinforcement, (c) New columns as extension
of the existing reinforced columns [Appleton et al., 2003]

5. Critical Analysis
The characterization study was followed by a comparative analysis of all case studies. Firstly,
each case was rated according to the degree of intervention, distinguishing between light, medium
and in-depth interventions. A critical analysis of the conversions followed in the form of a SWOT2
analysis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
The conversion of the former Standard Elctrica Factory into a music school benefits from taking
advantage of the original project's flexibility. The added elements are of light and reversible nature,
and the building's new use seems to be in tune with the construction, although some features could
benefit from improvements. Among weaknesses, this conversion lacks a global project and
information about the changes made is hard to obtain. Regarding opportunities, this project may, in
the future, meet the necessary conditions for an integrated rehabilitation.
Regarding the conversion of former Companhia de Fiao e Tecidos Lisbonense Factory into LX
Factory, its new purpose helped maintain and enrich the heritage constituted by this old factory. Other
strengths include the conservation of old industrial machinery and good documentation of partial
interventions. However, this conversion lacks an integrated project.
The transformation of former Napolitana Milling and Pasta Factory into an office complex
motivated the preservation of a building with historic value for industrial heritage. However, it has the
disadvantage of having undervalued the building's architectural and historical qualities, because
several traces of its old industrial function were removed, including all the machinery and even some
architectural features. Additionally, documentation regarding the interventions performed is absent.
The conversion of Pedro lvares Cabral Building, former Cold Storage, into Museu do Oriente
benefits from an integrated project and appreciation of the building's memory, while also introducing
contemporary architectural references. Another important strength is the ease of access to
documentation regarding the interventions performed in the building. Regarding weaknesses, there is
the initial intervention in the structure, which is non-reversible. The opportunities created by this
intervention lie in its potential as a case to take into account for the conversion of industrial buildings
into museums.
Finally, the transformation of the former Lumiar Lamp Factory into a housing building has several
strengths, such as the integrated intervention, the well-succeeded adaptation to the loft typology and
conservation of traces of its industrial background. Integration between architecture, engineering,
product design and art was successfully achieved. Lastly, the project's documentation and publishing
are further strengths. The LisboaLoft project presents the opportunity of constituting an example for
future conversions of factories into housing.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

6. Conclusions
6.1. Recommendations for the conversion of industrial buildings
Industrial buildings from the historical period analysed in this study demonstrate, in general, a
good level of suitability for the conversion of uses, due to a set of structural, constructive and spatial
features that they have in common. However, an unfounded attribution of new uses can jeopardize
buildings heritage values, and thus the choice of a new function for an industrial building must be a
careful one.
From the construction point of view, solutions that are too invasive and/or that change profoundly
and irreversibly the building's nature shall be avoided. The removal of columns and parts of slabs
observed in Museu do Oriente showed some of the negative consequences that this type of solution
can result in, and thus it is recommended that such decisions are made only following a thorough
study and with a strong, well-founded reason.
Regarding the degree of intervention and phasing of the rehabilitation, it was observed that there
is a causal relation between a low degree of initial intervention (considered light intervention) and a
greater necessity of complementary interventions in subsequent years. This fact should be considered
upon making a decision regarding the degree of intervention to adopt. This study also allowed to take
note of an example of heritage integration in the form of old manufacturing machinery integrated into a
new use. The conservation and exhibition of machinery in LX Factory shows how this factor can be
integrated in a project with a use that is not that of an industrial museum.
6.2. Future work
The subject developed in this work can be further explored in the future by documenting and
analysing other cases of interest, in the scope of industrial construction conversion, possibly in
different urban contexts and with different transformations of usage. Another possibility is the analysis
of the same subject with slightly different perspectives. A valid example could be the execution of
economic viability studies, which could focus on the comparison between alternative rehabilitation
techniques or, from a wider point of view, on the comparison between transformations for different
uses.

10

References
Publications
A Construo Moderna. No. 285, no. 286, no. 294 (1909).
APPLETON, Joo; FIGUEIREDO, Marco Lisboa Loft: Reconverso funcional, coerncia estrutural. In ENCORE
Encontro sobre conservao e reabilitao de edifcios, 3rd. Lisbon: LNEC, 2003. ISBN 972-49-1960-9.
Vol. 1, pp. 579-587.
BRANCO, Fernando Castelo [coord.] O Vale de Alcntara. Lisbon: Centro Nacional de Cultura, 1983.
CARVALHO, Gonalo Jos Veloso Queirs de; BRANDO, Pedro Filipe Pinheiro de Serpa [orientation]
A reciclagem dos usos industriais e as novas tipologias de actividades e espaos de cultura: caso de
estudo: LX Factory. Lisbon: UTL Instituto Superior Tcnico, 2009. Dissertao para obteno do grau de
Mestre em Arquitectura.
FERNANDES, Ftima; CANNAT, Michele Territrios reabilitados / Revamped landscape. Casal de Cambra:
Caleidoscpio, 2009.
FOLGADO, Deolinda A Napolitana. Programa arquitectnico ao servio da indstria. In Estudos/Patrimnio.
ISSN 1645-2453. No. 6 (2004), pp. 102-108.
FOLGADO, Deolinda [et al.] Museu do Oriente: de armazm frigorfico a espao museolgico. Lisbon:
Fundao Oriente, 2008.
RAMOS, Ricardo Jorge de Brito; CALADO, Maria [orientation] Reabilitao de edifcios industriais como
museu: Museu do Fado, Fundao Arpad Szenes-Vieira da Silva, Museu do Oriente. Lisbon: UTL
Faculdade de Arquitectura, 2011. Dissertao para a obteno do Grau de Mestre em Reabilitao da
Arquitectura e dos Ncleos Urbanos.
SERRANO, Ana Catarina Bispo; CARVALHO, Jos Maria Lobo de [orientation]; HEITOR, Teresa Frederica Tojal
Valsassina [co-orientation] Reconverso de espaos industriais: trs projectos de interveno em
Portugal. Lisbon: UTL Instituto Superior Tcnico, 2010. Dissertao para obteno do grau de Mestre em
Arquitectura.

Unpublished documents
Obra n. 5737 [Consult. 22-08-2012]. Accessible at Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa, Portugal.
Obra n. 8337 [Consult. 22-08-2012]. Accessible at Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa, Portugal.
Architectural project of LisboaLoft provided by Architect Miguel Varela Gomes.

Electronic documents
APPLETON, Joo A sustentabilidade nos projectos de reabilitao de edifcios. ENEC 2011 Encontro
Nacional de Engenharia Civil. 2011. [Online] [Consult. 12-10-2013]. Available at:
http://www.ordemengenheiros.pt/fotos/dossier_artigo/jappleton8831143814ddf7a812e105.pdf
Website of Instituto de Gesto do Patrimnio Arquitectnico e Arqueolgico (IGESPAR) [Online]. Available at:
www.igespar.pt

11