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Architects: KPF
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Leonardo Finotti
Text description provided by the architects. International architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) is pleased to announce the completion of Infinity Tower. Located in São Paulo’s new financial district, steps away from Faria Lima, this unique, next‐generation building sets a new standard for Class‐ A office in the Brazil market and has already attracted world‐class attention.
Heralded as an "Architectural Icon” by the South American real estate community, the tower rises elegantly some 120 meters above its surroundings to establish a unique identity against the São Paulo skyline. The dynamic massing of the building, nautical in nature, is reminiscent of a schooner running under full sail.
“The concept of the metaphorical ship tacking to claim its berth on the shores of Faria Lima is a distinct and powerful image within the dense urban context of São Paulo,” according William Louie, who led the design of the project.
The building’s ‘sails’ gracefully wrap each level with two sweeping curves of a glass curtain wall system, highlighted by exterior ‘brise soleil’ fins to control sunlight and glare. The curvature of the façade enhances the work environment and provides broad panoramic views of the city, while each floor plate increases in size as the tower rises to maximize leasing revenue at the upper levels. Private balconies extend from each end of both curves and afford dramatic views of Avenida Paulista to the north and Faria Lima to the south.
At its base, the building connects to its urban context through an indoor‐outdoor entry experience that capitalizes on São Paulo’s temperate climate and offers a quiet transition from the world’s sixth most populous city. A subtle tapestry of reflecting pools, shaded walkways, landscaped areas and a canopy covered porte‐cochere lead to the building’s main lobby, which is surrounded by water and accessed across two bridges. The lobby itself is gracefully defined by a high, curving glass wall and rich material palette featuring carefully selected Brazilian granites and Cumaru wood.
The building’s beauty is matched by its world‐class functionality. In contrast to many of its neighbors, the 18‐story tower achieves the maximum floor area that São Paulo allows, while also providing flexibility and efficiency for a variety of tenant types. With three‐meter floor‐to‐ceiling heights and highperformance glass that maximize access to natural light and views, state‐of‐the‐art technology, a landmark identity, a distinct entry experience, and quality of detail and finish at every scale, Infinity Tower sets a new benchmark for the Brazilian market with international building standards matching or exceeding those of other global cities such as New York, London, and Hong Kong.
The tower was majority leased by global firms Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse well before the completion of construction, and has since attracted additional A‐list tenants Bloomberg, Facebook and Louis Vuitton. Developed by Yuny Incorporadora/GTIS Partners and designed by KPF, the LEED Gold certified Infinity Tower joins ranks with the KPF‐designed Ventura Towers in Rio in an exclusive portfolio of South America’s most profitable and desirable office space. São Paulo‐based Aflalo & Gasperini Arquitetos served as Architect of Record.
KPF Managing Principal, Lloyd Sigal, adds, “It is one thing to design a great building. It is another to build it. Our client understood that quality of execution was vital to the building’s success and defining a new standard for excellence in the Brazilian market.”
Collaborating with Aflalo & Gasperini, Brazilian contractors and an expert consultant team, KPF employed a rigorous design and construction administration process, marrying innovation with quality control, to ensure the design was fully resolved.
Infinity Tower is the latest in a long line of successful buildings designed by KPF that have raised the bar in their respective markets, including, most recently, the International Commerce Centre and Hysan Place in Hong Kong, Heron Tower in London, and Tour FIRST in Paris.
