1G Store by Estudio Além: A Contemporary Homage to Guimarães' Medieval Identity

Located in the historic heart of Guimarães, Portugal, the 1G Store designed by Estudio Além is more than just a retail space—it's a sophisticated architectural narrative that blends contemporary commercial design with the medieval heritage of the city. The 3283-square-foot store was remodeled in 2022 by lead architects Paula Navarro Mazón and Filipe Nunes Faustino, transforming an ordinary commercial interior into a visually immersive shopping experience rooted in the architectural legacy of the region.

A Medieval Concept Reimagined

The design takes inspiration from the Guimarães Castle and ancient ramparts, reframing these historical references through a modern, material-driven lens. At the core of the concept is the medieval battlement—a recurring geometric motif in the city’s fortifications. This form has been abstracted and reinterpreted using galvanized steel electro-welded mesh, creating a transparent, reflective, and spatially flexible structure that defines the store's entire interior.

A Virtual Rampart of Light and Steel

This metallic framework functions as both a display system and sculptural enclosure, forming a "virtual rampart" that wraps around the space. Ethereal and semi-transparent, the mesh is animated by light and shadow, offering a shifting visual experience as visitors move through the store. The grid system is fully adaptable—housing shoes, clothing, accessories, and mirrors—making it not only modular and functional but also deeply symbolic.

Infused with Local Materials

To ground the contemporary structure in its Portuguese context, over 23 tons of locally sourced granite were crushed into gravel and strategically inserted within the mesh structures, transforming them into gabion-style elements. These serve as sculptural ruins—pseudo-archaeological references to the collapsing walls of ancient city defenses—blurring the line between historical fiction and modern commercial architecture.

Monumental Counter as a Centerpiece

At the heart of the store, the front counter is a brutalist focal point composed of two massive granite blocks extracted directly from a local quarry. The natural excavation marks and manually carved glass compartments elevate the raw material into a curated artifact, reinforcing the dialogue between stone craftsmanship and retail display.

Precision in Details

Every component—from structural fasteners and fittings to furniture and changing rooms—is custom-designed for clarity and ease of assembly. The result is a highly curated and scenographic environment that balances function with architectural storytelling. The interplay of metal, stone, and glass crafts an immersive space where retail becomes a cultural experience.

All Photographs are works of Francisco Ascensão