2017 | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Program. theater, opened and closed exposition area, coffee shop, workshop rooms, administrative space, meeting rooms, restaurant, parking lot.
The Center for Events and Conventions stands on a site with great declivity. Therefore its implementation was based on the level contours, in order to involve them, generating a building with a shape that resembles an eye.
THE BOOMERANG DAY CARE
2018 | Macau S.A.R
Program: reception, administrative area, playground, classrooms.
Situated in a high dense area in the centre of Macao, the terrain in question is in between medium rise buildings. A thermal study was developted using Rhino to analyse the best position for the construction on site.
As a result of the analysis, a shape was designed based on the best thermal spot for long hours of use during the day.
The administrative spaces are located on the heritage building that grants access to the boomerang volume, where the classrooms are located. By doing so, there’s a control on the pedestrian flow, ensuring the safety of the children inside.
Below the boomerang shape there is an extense playground with bamboo trees, allowing the children to get in touch with nature and open space.
Due to its location in a busy neighborhood, there is a lot of noise coming from the street during day time. As a solution, a buffer zone was created between the site’s wall and the boomerang shape.
To isolate noise pollution, the buffer zone is composed of high bamboo tress and a wall made of two different types of materials: chinese traditional bricks and a movable facade.
Taking in consideration the chinese culture, some special elements were used on the project.
The main entrance, as the pathway that connects the building to the exterior playground are in circular shape, resembling the chinese portal frame doors. The same language was applied to the windows, also circular.
Traditional chinese bricks were used to restore the existing building to its former visual identity, and also on the new wall facade. The new facade had to provide privacy and security for the children on the playground, isolate noise, but also let in wind and natural sun light on site. The design solution was to make the new wall half traditional bricks and half a wind responsive dynamic facade composed of small aluminium plates.
In the playground, the bamboo tree gardens also relate to the regional culture.
Due to its target users being children, having ludic architectural shapes and playful elements help develop line of thought and enhance the learning process in a cheerful environment.
