Canning Factory by OODA

The Canning Factory, formerly Brandão & Companhia Ltd, is a landmark within the Matosinhos Sul Urbanization Plan by Álvaro Siza. Situated near the coastline, the site occupies a privileged position in the city, bearing a deep connection to the region’s industrial past. Originally a hub of production, the factory evokes the nostalgia of a time closely linked to the sea, becoming an integral part of the collective memory of Matosinhos. Over the years, the building underwent multiple interventions that altered its character. The current proposal by OODA seeks to restore and reinterpret this heritage, reconstructing the original building envelope and iconic chimney while introducing a mixed-use development that blends residential, commercial, and professional programs.

Integrating Light and Open Space

The design introduces green and permeable spaces to replace the previously dense, lot-filling industrial footprint. These landscaped courtyards bring light into the interior, enhance circulation, and foster visual relationships between diverse programmatic areas. Residents and visitors navigate through these open spaces, connecting commercial areas, offices, and dwellings with ease. The entrance to the housing blocks is marked by a welcoming reception space opening onto an interior patio, which serves as the hub for access to upper floors and common amenities. Ground-floor commercial and service spaces activate the street level, while offices occupy the first floor and housing blocks are positioned at the top, creating a vertical layering of urban functions.

Dialogue Between Old and New

The material palette emphasizes a dialogue between heritage and innovation. Pigmented concrete evokes the solidity of the original factory, while aluminium stretched plates introduce a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic. The contrast between the inherited mass and the elevated, well-proportioned volumes above the patio reinforces this relationship, creating a sense of levity and openness. Materiality draws inspiration from the nearby sea, with textures and colors that respond to the coastal context.

The project’s volumetric composition is dynamic and responsive, distributed across multiple blocks that articulate the large site while maintaining harmony with neighboring buildings and the public road. Elevated volumes, carefully proportioned over the patio, create a sense of permeability and openness while respecting the urban fabric. This approach not only revitalizes the historic building but also enhances the block’s identity as a living, multifunctional city space.

Sustainable Urban Integration

Canning Factory demonstrates an urban sustainability strategy through both morphology and program. The distribution of built area across different blocks facilitates natural light penetration, improved airflow, and visual permeability, which together enhance energy efficiency and inhabitant comfort. Public and private spaces coexist, encouraging social interaction and promoting accessibility. The integration of green courtyards and rooftop gardens supports climate resilience and ecological balance within the city.

By combining heritage preservation, innovative materiality, and careful programmatic layering, the project revitalizes the neighborhood while respecting its historical significance. The transformation fosters a vibrant, multifunctional urban environment, proving that industrial heritage can be a cornerstone of contemporary city life.

A New Urban Narrative

The Canning Factory embodies the principles of morphological and programmatic dynamization, essential for sustainable urban development. Through sensitive restoration, creative reinterpretation, and integrated design, the project redefines the block, offering spaces that respond to both the past and present needs of the city. The result is a balanced, coherent, and resilient architectural intervention, enhancing Matosinhos’ urban landscape while preserving the memory of its industrial legacy.

Photography: Fernando Guerra