São Paulo’s urban landscape is strongly influenced by two main characters who coexist independently and simultaneously. On the one hand, vertical constructions, mostly faithful to modernist / rationalist models. On the other hand, the historical and / or informal occupation of two or three floors of residual spaces between these constructions. The ensemble is characterized by spectacular breaks in scale and height, giving rise to a chaotic and discontinuous urban landscape. . Located in the midst of a rapidly evolving middle-class neighborhood, the Copacabana Hotel project fits into this context and is located on the fringes of one of these permanent breaks, revealing a divided panoramic view.
This proposal is nourished by the formal and textual complexity of the site, and reformulates the traditional “paulista” residence model. The fragmentation of the building’s body into three parts is made for a better integration of the recreational area and the vertical / horizontal circulation spaces. A small square in the frontal area is given back to the urban space.
The housing units are stacked according to a non-linear and non-modular variation of typologies and windows, giving the building its main look, marked by the use of simple and urban materials.
The design of the homes / apartments follows these principles:
- Individual access by external gateway.
- One apartment/home in each floor, emphasizing the 300-degree view / ventilation
- A remarkable architectural element per apartment (double volumes, patio terrace, duplex / penthouse garden).
- Different windows in each unit.
- Free plan allowing different internal partitions – modular hydraulic and electrical plugs distribution.
Project Manager: Bruno Simões | Credits: Fran Parente
