Oporto MAZARS offices by GRAU.ZERO Architecture

For the fit-out of Forvis Mazars’ new offices in Porto, our aim was to make the company’s core values the guiding thread of the physical space, reflecting its identity, positioning, and ambition.

Given the nature of its activity, a multinational leader in audit, tax, and advisory services, with a presence in over 100 countries, we sought to strike a balance between the precision of the technological and the subjectivity of the handcrafted. This approach was intended to move away from the institutional weight and classicism often associated with companies in this sector, proposing instead a more contemporary, fluid, and adaptable environment.

In search of a timeless spatial identity aligned with the organisation’s character, we embraced a concept based on full flexibility, in line with practices already adopted by the company, such as clean desk and anywhere office. The spatial proposal integrates collaborative areas, cutting-edge technology, and, above all, a focus on people’s well-being. The intention was to create an environment where productivity, mental health, innovation, and human connection can coexist harmoniously — a response to the increasingly digital and global nature of the working world.
The conceptual approach was built on duality: the handcrafted, bespoke, natural, and organic elements coexist with the rational, efficient, precise, and technological. Reflective surfaces are subtly juxtaposed with coarser materials such as textured plaster and stone, creating a narrative in which imperfection is also perceived as beautiful. This constant dialogue between opposites enriches the space with depth and emotion.

Designed to avoid the conventional appearance of a workspace, the environment is sensorial rich yet calm. It avoids visual distractions, favouring a setting that evokes emotion and encourages focus.

The colour palette is based on neutral, off-white tones, chosen to contrast deliberately with the corporate colours defined in the brand’s visual identity guidelines. This contrast enhances a sense of serenity, elegance, and timelessness, providing a restrained yet sophisticated visual backdrop that allows the space to breathe and welcomes its users with balance and comfort.