ATELIER CENTRAL (AC) was founded in 1996 by José Martinez Silva, the company’s CEO and main leader Architect, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Lisbon (FAUTL) in 1989. The office works internationally, designing and developing projects in numerous areas, such as housing, hotels and resorts, industrial, public buildings, corporate design, schools, healthcare, sports and leisure, offices and retail, building consulting and urban planning. With a team of 8 wide ranged skilled architects and designers, AC also works with a professional specialized team in engineering, finances and management, international relations, marketing, communication and administrative support.AC faces each challenge with enthusiasm and responsibility, despite its purpose or dimension. Driven and inspired by values of excellence, the office always tries to make the creative process as participative as it can be, engaging customers and all other parties involved, so that everyone works together as a whole.The design process is supposed to achieve a consistent idea, always respecting the location, surroundings and history. It must have its own identity, without forgetting the creative and intelligent management of the available resources, in order to meet budget and schedule.AC has won several international competitions and important awards, such as 2016 International Space Design Award Idea-Tops, 2016 Special Mention Architizer A+Awards, Valmor Award 2011, Conde de Oeiras Award 1999. With numerous publications in highly acclaimed magazines, the built portfolio includes schools; hotels; resorts, factories; automotive facilities; healthcare facilities; offices; apartments; and private houses in Portugal, Germany, England, Spain, Angola and Mozambique.Specialized in brand design, AC has been working as a corporate design consultant for BMW Group, Opel, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Audi, Šköda, Citroën, Peugeot and Mitsubishi.