Suspended Architecture Redefining Lisbon, Torre Norte

ULMA played a key role by designing and supplying more than 400 tonnes of bespoke formwork and shoring for one of the most singular structural projects in the country. Close coordination between ULMA’s technical team and the site ensured deadlines were met and technical challenges successfully overcome during assembly.

The adopted solution is as innovative as it is functional: nine large-span steel arches, each weighing approximately 150 tonnes, support nine suspended slabs and distribute loads through just twelve columns. This design frees up interior space, creating an open, flexible and highly versatile floor layout.

To meet the project’s demanding requirements, ULMA deployed 24
T-500 shoring towers, a high-load-capacity standard system designed for work at significant heights—ranging in this case from 10 to 34 metres—and capable of supporting concentrated loads at wide spacing. The selection of the T-500 system was deliberate, as its versatility allowed it to adapt to existing structural conditions and the specific needs of the project, ensuring both safety during assembly and efficiency in execution.

Installation required a carefully planned preparation process. Foundations were first constructed to anchor the shoring towers, and counterweights were added to guarantee stability. Due to their size, the steel arches were transported in sections and assembled directly on site, supported by the T-500 towers. From this point onwards, the structure quite literally grew from the top down, with the building suspended from the main arches.

Discover all the details of the project in this video.