Carla Juaçaba Pavilion Humanidade 2012

We propose a scaffold building, translucent, exposed to all weather conditions:
Light, heat, rain, sounds of waves and wind, reminding man of his frailty when compared to nature.

The structure is composed of 5 structural walls measuring 170m in length and 20 meters high, with 5,40meters in between them, creating a suspended walkway over Rio’s landscape, interrupted when necessary by spaces meant for reflection and thought. The exhibitions rooms act as bracing of the whole structure, stiffening the structure as a whole.

Scaffold is the only material that we know of that can support such a weight, and through which rain and wind can pass through.

One of the main goals in architecture concerning sustainability is to build with what you have in hand.

The materials we used are sustainable, meaning that everything is 100% reusable.

The project composed by materials previously used, the scaffold leaves its usual place, as support structure, to become a building all by itself.

The material has been and will become other projects in the future.

During my first visit to the site, Bia and I found a scaffold base that was to be used on the event that was taking place then. These bases are usually covered up by white plastic tents. So, it was then that we realized the full potential and the opportunity of using this material.

I’d like to quote the architect Paulo Mendes, who inspired us when thinking about sustainability and how it affects architecture: “For me, the cornerstone of architecture is the geography.”

In other words, sustainability and geography are closely related in architecture.  It might make sense to build on Africa or in some places in Brazil using clay, or to create green roofs in Buenos Aires, but not in this specific site in the fortress of Copacabana.

It’s as if every specific geographical point has to find it’s own equilibrium.