The Casais Group has won yet another construction sector award in the Expresso’s 2024 Prémios do Imobiliário awards, which focus on real estate, for its The First project, located in Guimarães. The First came out tops in the Sustainable Construction/Architecture category for its notable economic, social and environmental impact project, bringing its prize count to four in these awards.

The First is the first building of timber-hybrid construction (wood + concrete) on the Iberian Peninsula. Developed by Sunny Casais and designed by architect Mário Fernandes, this project sought to usher in new standards of sustainability and innovation in the construction sector.

The Casais Group building results in a 59% carbon footprint reduction, thereby extending the useful life of the building, due in large part to the possibility of reusing modular and other components after deconstruction in line with circular economy principles. The First also resulted in a significant drop in the amount of concrete (33%) and steel (41%) used in construction.

Aside from this positive environmental impact, The First also measured up on the social aspects. Industrialised construction throughout the entire building process enabled the project to reduce noise by more than 70%, thus minimising the impact on the surrounding communities – a clear example of Casais Group’s commitment to the quality of urban life.

The 6th Prémios do Imobiliário awards event, organised by Expresso and SIC Notícias, took place on 24 October in Mafra. The awards give due recognition to quality and innovation in the areas of construction, development and real estate brokerage in Portugal, and select prize winners from among the projects that stood out the most in 2023.

These awards reflect the growing importance of sustainability and innovation in the Portuguese real estate sector, and The First’s award in the Sustainable Construction/Architecture category is one more step towards transforming the sector as a whole.

Recognitions such as this award from the Prémios do Imobiliário serve to reinforce the Casais Group’s position as one of the major influencers in the construction sector both nationally and internationally. They also demonstrate the Group’s commitment to implementing innovative and sustainable construction solutions to meet the needs of the sector and the challenges it faces.