Openbook Group

True to our name, being transparent and forthcoming is central to the Openbook Group culture. Last week, we held our first quarterly General Meeting of 2025, where we reflected on our achievements in 2024 and planned for the year ahead. This is a moment for leadership to share the strategic vision of Openbook Group, for teams to showcase their ongoing projects, and for everyone to engage in open discussions about any challenges or ideas they might have. Thank you, CMS Portugal, for sharing and welcoming us to your Openbook-designed auditorium and thanks to all our Team for your participation and engagement in this all-hands meeting. Learn more about us and our work culture at https://openbook.pt/ Photos Ana Salvado

The office market in Lisbon and Porto has seen remarkable growth in 2024, with deal sizes expanding in both cities. In each city, the three largest office occupations accounted for more than 25% of the total absorption — a clear sign of increasing demand for high-quality office spaces. At Openbook Group, we are proud to have played a pivotal role in shaping this transformation, executing the three largest office deals in Portugal this year: CGD Headquarters in Lisbon (26,700 sq.m.) and Deloitte offices in Lisbon (5,800 sq.m.) and Porto (Mutual - Campo Alegre Offices, 10,400 sq.m.). Additionally, we secured two other top deals: LeasePlan/Ayvens in Lisbon and Grupo Salvador Caetano in Porto. As organizations adapt to new workplace dynamics – where 56% still favour hybrid models – demand for flexible, plug-and-play solutions continues to rise. At Openbook Group, we are committed to designing workspaces that attract top talent and support companies in their evolving strategies. Learn more about our work at https://openbook.pt/

At Openbook, we design workspaces that tell a story. Our project for PagerDuty, in Lisbon’s riverside district, reflects this vision, blending innovation, culture, and functionality. Inspired by Portuguese heritage and mythical figures, we created a unique spatial narrative: The Sky – A space for strategic discussions, symbolizing wisdom. The Land – A dynamic hub where ideas and businesses thrive. The House – A circular space fostering unity and collaboration. The Sea – Inspired by the Tagus River, promoting fluidity and connection. Through refined details, curated colours, and seamless spatial flow, the office embraces transparency and an ongoing dialogue with the city. A workplace designed to inspire, connect, and innovate. Learn more about our work at https://openbook.pt/ Photos Eduardo Montenegro

When it comes to workspace design, what role does Architecture play in today's corporate landscape?   Paulo Jervell, founding partner of the Openbook Group, states that “companies are adopting strategies to attract employees back to their offices, which are manifested through Architecture. (…) Companies are investing in innovative strategies and, consequently, in modern, sustainable architectural designs, because they know that a good office can strengthen their reputation, which puts them in a better position to attract talent”.   Find out how Openbook is changing Lisbon’s workplace landscape, and the company's three major projects for 2024-25 in our interview with Vida Imobiliária. In the same edition, read about Tiago Falcão’s forecast on the real estate Office market.

For the ActivoBank Service Desk, we focused on prioritizing three key moments: the entrance, the different types of service related to customer interaction, and the overall final impression of the space. The common thread throughout these moments was the concept of "welcoming." We began with the entrance, where we proposed evoking the idea of stone excavation, creating a sense of dichotomy between the futuristic and the natural qualities of the materials.   The capsules reflect the identity and branding of ActivoBank, offering an innovative and creative approach to create a closer connection with the customer. Through the concept of the "cave," a unique and intimate experience is provided, conveying a sense of exclusivity and a dedicated space, almost like a refuge, aligned with the concept of shelter.   We selected materials that best support the concept of hospitality, through the duality that balances futurism with natural elements, with cork and LED panels standing out. The project also includes the addition of green elements, which help harmonize and complete the space in a cohesive and engaging way.   Photos Eduardo Montenegro

Our growth and adaptability are rooted in a deep commitment to improving human-space interactions. We understand that spaces not only shape our lives and influence behaviours but also inspire our aspirations. This belief drives us to approach spatial transformation as a collaborative effort, drawing on individual expertise across architecture, interior design, design, wayfinding, real estate, and engineering. In response to this vision, we evolved into a group of five distinct companies: Openbook Architecture, Openbook Studio, Openbook Design, Openbook Real Estate, and Openbook Engineering. Discover more about our rebrand and the evolution of Openbook at https://openbook.pt/ 

In 2024 we worked hard. We grew as a company, conquered new challenges and achieved new business goals. But one thing has never changed: the spirit and culture that make Openbook a unique company. That makes us want to grow together and celebrate together. Here's a glimpse of how we said goodbye to 2024 and prepared for 2025. It will be a year of great challenges, but we will certainly have a lot of fun together! Stay with us!

We are thrilled with the international recognition we have received in 2024. It is an honour to accept these important recognition. We are truly grateful to be awarded by Architizer Awards for Ritz Pool Bar, and to be included in Architectural Digest’s AD100 list of the most inspiring architects to follow in 2024. Additionally, the People's Choice Award 2024 and Office of the Year 2024 at LOOP Design Awards, also proud to receive an Honorable Mention in the Workplaces Interior category at the Architecture MasterPrize and to be Winner in the Spaces – Offices category at INT Design Awards. These awards inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of design, innovation, and sustainability. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Ph:emontenegro / architectural photography | João Guimarães Fotografia | Lara Jacinto Fotografia

"This strategic repositioning of Openbook is not just a change of brand. It is an evolution based on the experience acquired over almost two decades, characterised by a commitment to innovation and quality. Each company in the Openbook group operates independently, allowing it to focus more on the markets in which it operates, while maintaining the possibility of creating synergies within the group that maximise the value of the work delivered to the client." The change we set out to make goes far beyond a new brand. It's about a repositioning that makes us more agile and ready to respond to the great ambitions we have set ourselves. https://lnkd.in/dsHT9cNw

It was with great pleasure that Rodrigo Sampayo, founding partner of the Openbook group, was a speaker at the event that presented the Kaizen 2024 Economic Barometer report, along with Joana Castro e Almeida from Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, Sofia Lufinha from Tap Air Portugal and Antonio Calçada, from Fundación Repsol. Congratulations to the Kaizen Institute Western Europe for publishing this relevant study on the challenges facing Portuguese managers and the evolution of the main economic indicators that impact our business sector. Thank you all and see you next year!