2016 MCHAP
Vitra
Studio Libeskind
São Paulo, Brazil
March 2015
PRIMARY AUTHOR
Studio Libeskind
CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
Pablo Slemenson Arquitetura (Architect of Record)
CLIENT
JHSF Participações S.A.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Ana Mello Romulo Fialdini
OBJECTIVE
Vitra is a new concept in condominium residences, inspired by the city of São Paulo and the Brazilian people. The tower was designed to express the optimism, vibrant culture and dynamic possibilities of a truly pluralist people. Vitra features fourteen floor-through residences and a penthouse, each featuring a unique floor plan ranging in size from 6,080 to 12,325 square feet. The sun-soaked lobby features a cast-in-place concrete reception desk that is set against a floor-to-ceiling Brazilan wood wall. The pairing of concrete and warm wood is echoed throughout the building’s clean, modern interiors. Interior designer Dado Castello Branco outfitted the interiors with artworks such as “Ultramar Intervalo” by famed Rio de Janeiro artist José Bechara. The building’s amenities include a swimming pool, spa, gym, multipurpose lounge and a playroom for children.
CONTEXT
Vitra, Studio Libeskind’s first project in South America, is a luminous residential tower located in the Itaim Bibi district near a number of the city’s main thoroughfares, offering quick and easy access to the popular Ibirapuera and Do Povo parks. A bold, sculptural design, the multi-faceted glass tower includes 14 floor-through apartments, ranging in size from 6,080 to 12,325 square feet. A composition of glass balconies and green gardens articulates the form amidst a play of transparency and opaqueness. Soon to assume its place at the highest end of São Paulo’s residential market, Vitra contains only one apartment per floor—and each floor plan is unique. A special penthouse duplex occupies the top two floors.
PERFORMANCE
Since its inception, one of the pillars of the project has been the adoption of sustainable practices. The sustainable solutions employed in Vitra include a system for rainwater collection and reuse, solar panels for heating water, the use of sustainable materials that reduce the energy consumption caused by air conditioning and elevators, energy-efficient low emissivity glass which impedes thermal transmission, intelligent building management systems and the efficient management of rubble generated during construction. The urban context and security requirements required a fence around the site. To enliven and animate the pedestrian experience, the fence was designed to be as visually permeable as possible, and was planted with greenery in areas where opacity was required.