The Casais Group is developing the largest public university residence in the country, located in the former Confiança Factory, in Braga.
With capacity for 786 students, the new infrastructure is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. The project, awarded for 25.51 million euros, consists of the rehabilitation of the historic building and the construction of a new building from scratch.
The new building will be built according to the CREE industrialized construction model, using a hybrid system of wood and concrete, in addition to prefabricated components, such as stairs and facades. This modular method promises greater efficiency, reduced waste and allows for future disassembly and reuse of elements. Each component will have a digital identification using the BIM methodology, which promotes sustainability and traceability in production.
The residence will have 252 single rooms, 222 double rooms and two triple rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility, totaling 476 accommodation units for 702 residents. Facilities include 15 common kitchens, six study rooms, large living and dining areas, an outdoor leisure space and a laundry room.
In the part of the former Fábrica Confiança, whose original facades and slabs will be maintained, 25 accommodation units will be available for 84 people, intended for master’s and doctoral students or teachers with family members. The historic building will also have five study rooms, a social room, an adaptive library, dining space, laundry, gym and a museum area.
António Carlos Rodrigues, CEO of Grupo Casais, said in a statement that “the biggest challenge of this project is to reconcile the preservation of the historic building with the construction of the building from scratch, ensuring functionality, sustainability and comfort for future residents. It is a project that we are very proud of, supporting new generations and creating conditions to study in one of the regions that receives the most students from other parts of the country”.