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Architects: Perkins&Will
- Area: 5900 m²
- Year: 2023
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Photographs:Nelson Kon
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Manufacturers: Artcolor, Concresteel, Coopermax, Estrudena, Estrudena, Madeireira Mato Dentro, Madeireira Mato Dentro, Paycan, Placlux, Placlux, Pormade, Portobello, Projetário, Projetário, Serralheria Bottini, Totalmaster, Totalmaster
Text description provided by the architects. Perkins&Will São Paulo has chosen bamboo as the centerpiece for the Bambu building, a residential development by Atmosfera Incorporadora, located in Praia Grande in Ubatuba, on the northern coast of São Paulo state. The façade features vertical slats of treated bamboo, which can be reconfigured by the movement of articulated brises, becoming a living and dynamic element that confers a unique identity in dialogue with the local ecosystem.
"Bamboo works exceptionally well when applied to constructions due to its adaptability to diverse functions and forms within a development," explains Fernando Afonso, Project Designer at Perkins&Will São Paulo and one of the project's responsible architects. As a low-cost natural material, bamboo thrives in the region, reducing the use of natural resources in transportation and handling, thereby decreasing the construction's carbon footprint—an integral commitment of Perkins&Will to the future, ensuring low environmental impact.
Aesthetically pleasing and sustainable compared to other materials, bamboo is lightweight, durable, and fast-growing. In Japan, it is widely used in buildings for its flexibility, allowing structures to withstand earthquakes and other natural events. In Brazil, its adaptability is particularly suitable for warm and humid climates, such as the coastal environment, contributing to thermal comfort.
To further emphasize the choice of bamboo, the architectural team decided to apply a greenish copper-like coating on the façade, the entrance area, and the pool area, situated on the 20-meter-high rooftop with ocean views. "By utilizing different shades of green and materials that transform over time, aging with remarkable beauty, we reinforce the concept of a contemporary bamboo grove," explains Douglas Tolaine, Design Principal at the São Paulo studio of Perkins&Will.
Situated on a 1,843m² plot of land, Bambu Atmosfera offers constant contact with nature both inside and outside the building. The "U"-shaped layout gives rise to a generous central plaza adorned with native species from the Atlantic Forest, connecting outdoor and indoor spaces with the local biome. The layout also ensures that all apartments have a view of the sea. The development comprises five apartment typologies ranging from 62 m² to 110 m² of private area.
Within the apartments, movable panels provide freedom and autonomy for residents while shielding interiors from direct sunlight. "Both the façade and the expansive balconies with wooden planters serve as protective elements against solar exposure, reaffirming integration with the local landscape," Tolaine adds. Cantilevered walkways, fire-galvanized steel railings, and the use of glass and metals create contrasts that further enhance the dialogue between diverse elements.
In addition to opting for sustainable raw materials, the environmental concern includes the installation of specific recycling bins and movable brise-soleil panels to regulate sunlight within the units, providing thermal comfort and reducing the use of artificial lighting. The elevation of only the ground floor was also undertaken to reduce the need for excavation.
Bambu Atmosfera marks the seventh development created by Perkins&Will São Paulo for Atmosfera Incorporadora, offering an enjoyable and astonishing experience to residents and visitors by creating an innovative yet harmonious visual aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
