Portuguese historical heritage took centre stage at the 14th edition of the National Urban Rehabilitation Award. The event recognised outstanding projects in building regeneration, renovation and conversion, breathing new life into palaces, convents, fortresses and castles.
Alongside these historical buildings, the awards also distinguished interventions in former industrial spaces, including factories, warehouses and wineries, as well as urban parks and housing developments. The prize recognises projects in the fields of commerce, services, housing, hospitality and social facilities, assessing both the technical quality of the works and the final result.
- Prizes are also presented in categories such as restoration, structural rehabilitation, sustainability solutions and small-scale projects (under 1,000 square metres).
- Additional distinctions highlight the best interventions in Lisbon and Porto, as well as projects in the “Masters of Construction” category, which acknowledges the essential role of artisans in preserving and upgrading built heritage.
This 14th edition brought together 80 entries from 30 municipalities across the country, including the islands, and awarded a total of 11 projects across 10 categories. The winning projects were revealed during a ceremony held at the Vista Alegre Museum in Ílhavo, attended by more than 200 guests.
The National Urban Rehabilitation Award is an initiative supported by SECIL and has attracted strong backing from the business, institutional and civil society sectors. Savills, Schmitt + Sohn Elevadores and VICTORIA Seguros participated as platinum sponsors, while BOSCH, MAPEI, Revigrés and Saint-Gobain featured in the gold category.
Winners of the National Urban Rehabilitation Award in 2026
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Residential
Residential Complex of the Beato Convent (Lisbon): rehabilitation and requalification project of the former Beato Convent for residential and event use.
This intervention is promoted by Larfa Properties / Beato Lux, with architecture by the Risco studio and construction by SANJOSE Constructora.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Commercial & Services
Palacete Henrique Mendonça – headquarters of the Ismaili Imamat (Lisbon): this work by Miguel Ventura Terra, awarded the Valmor Prize, for office use, is a testament to the architectural transition between the 19th and 20th centuries.
Its rehabilitation was undertaken by the firm Frederico Valsassina Arquitectos and the construction company Teixeira Duarte.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Tourism
Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel (Vila Nova de Gaia): the project converted the former Kopke cellars into a five-star hotel, respecting the original design and preserving architectural and structural elements such as roofs, stone walls, openings, and the building's structure and layout.
Covering a total area of 20,240 m2, the project was promoted by Kopke Group Hospitality, developed by architect José Carlos Cruz, and executed by Mota-Engil.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Social Impact (Ex-AEQUO)
National Museum of Resistance and Freedom (Peniche): rehabilitation of the interior of the prison buildings and construction of new exterior elements at the Peniche Fortress, in an intervention promoted by the Cultural Heritage department, project by architect João Barros Matos and construction by HCI.
Júlio Sarmento Pavilion (Lisbon): an initiative of the Lisbon City Council and Lisboa Ocidental SRU, with the support of the Carrilho da Graça Arquitectos studio and construction by Norcep Construções, this project involves the rehabilitation of a former industrial warehouse to house an exhibition space.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Restoration Intervention
Fortaleza e Castelo de Juromenha (Alandroal): the intervention, based on applied research, laboratory tests and constructive solutions compatible with the pre-existing structure, was promoted by the Alandroal City Hall and included contributions from the construction company HCI, ERA Arqueologia and the Pedro Pacheco Arquitetos office.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Structural Rehabilitation
The Lisboan International School (Lisbon): rehabilitation of the former Napolitana Factory into an educational facility. Its four previous buildings were reorganised into five volumes adapted to the complexity of the school program. The project was designed by the firm Frederico Valsassina Arquitetos, and the construction was carried out by SANJOSE Constructora.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Sustainability
Buz at LaMovida (Matosinhos): the project results from the integrated rehabilitation of a building dating from before 1951 for office use, with approximately 1,879 m2.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Intervention under 1000 m2
José Braga House (Porto): Built in 1949, this house has been rehabilitated while maintaining its residential use. It was one of Celestino Castro's first works, and its rehabilitation was entrusted to architect Paulo Seco, from the Impare Arquitectura office. The work was carried out by Construções FJB Santos.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – City of Lisbon
Anjos Urban Palace (Lisbon): the intervention in this 19th-century mansion in Príncipe Real allowed it to house a multifunctional space, with areas intended for retail, restaurants, and offices.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – City of Porto
Ramalde Sports Park (Porto): a multifunctional program that rehabilitated existing buildings and introduced new facilities for rugby, football, athletics, and archery.
The project was promoted by GO Porto – Gestão e Obras do Porto, EM, and designed by architect Paulo Tormenta Pinto. Construction was carried out by Cálculos e Títulos Construções.
National Urban Rehabilitation Award 2026 – Masters of Construction
Rui Pedro Oliveira Simões (carpentry, mass production of furniture and designer pieces): an award given to a professional with more than 10 years of experience, who stands out in the field of their art and craft.
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