CFA has provided programming and full design services for various projects that vary from residential, commercial, institutional to urban planning. CFA started as an architectural design and engineering firm located in Braga, Portugal. Today we also operate from Bergen in Norway, both from central locations in their respectable city.
Local knowledge is essential for our practice. We believe it is necessary to generate a high-quality architecture. Understanding the situation and context of the project makes us able to see how to utilize our abilities. But also see our limitations and when to cooperate with other local offices.
We share the city with various offices with similar values. Our close relations are giving us more opportunities as we can share knowledge and abilities. Saving time cooperating generates opportunities to specialize, but also to spend more time with our clients.
We highly value the relationship with our clients. It helps to understand how to frame each project. We always do site visits to meet the clients and experience the situation. We listen to their stories and make sure that their desires and ambitions complement the projects.
Many parameters make up a project with good qualities. Understanding the client’s desires and the surrounding situation is the most essential for CFA. This is how we create unique projects with chances of a long and prosperous life span.
We have a special interest in materials and their journey from the origin to the location in the project where their potential is optimized. Knowledge of their origin makes us able to make a good match to the client and situation.
Increased knowledge will give more opportunities to fulfil the potential of the material, but also how they can go in dialogue with other chosen materials. This dialogue is crucial for the experience of the situation. Working with the balance between contrast and harmony the story of the context is being reviled for the observer.