100 Anos da CUF no Barreiro

For the exhibition commemorating the centenary of Companhia União Fabril (CUF) in Barreiro, Studio Astolfi developed an immersive, scenographic experience that transformed historical material into a sensorial and emotional journey through Portugal’s industrial heritage. Their intervention went beyond traditional exhibition design, opting instead for a spatial narrative that guided visitors through the evolution of CUF’s legacy using architecture, storytelling, light, and sound.

Visitors were welcomed into a recreated early 20th-century home, evoking the Barreiro that existed when CUF first arrived in the region. From there, they passed through a factory tunnel filled with smoke and ambient sound, simulating the multisensory impact of an active industrial site. One of the most symbolic elements was a participatory “soap brick house,” where guests could physically build walls using bricks made from soap—one of CUF’s first manufactured products—establishing a direct and tactile connection with the company’s origins.

Throughout the exhibition, Studio Astolfi incorporated original factory materials such as historic doors, sirens, signage, and archived artifacts. These objects were thoughtfully curated and displayed in a way that preserved their authenticity while integrating them seamlessly into the design. The use of layered lighting and ambient sound further heightened the atmosphere, with each space evoking a specific emotional tone—warm and nostalgic in domestic areas, sharp and industrial in factory zones.

Studio Astolfi’s approach was both educational and deeply affective. Their work invited visitors not only to observe the history of CUF but to inhabit it—bridging past and present through a design that honored memory, material, and the profound social impact of one of Portugal’s most iconic industrial forces.