Shifted balconies wrap
Brazilian studio Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetura has completed a residential building in São Paulo with irregularly shaped terraces that look slanted from a distance.
Called MN15 Ibirapuera, the project’s design was influenced by the building’s proximity to the 158-hectare Ibirapuera Park – one of the largest urban parks in South America.
© Pedro Vannucchi
“This border condition defined two main goals to be achieved by the design,” aid local firm Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetura.
“To take advantage of the superb visuals, and to extend the green surface, bringing the park to the footsteps and facades of the apartments.”
The project was constructed on a 1,976-square-metre parcel of land surrounded by buildings in a range of heights, from high-rises to single-storey homes.
The team created a 17-storey, white, rectangular tower that is wrapped with irregularly shaped terraces that give the building a sculptural appearance.
© Pedro Vannucchi
Glass-lined balconies are recessed in some areas and jut outward in others, making them look sloped from a distance. Along one corner of the building, the terraces shift in different directions.
“The terraces’ rotation enhances the views toward the park, clearly establishing a relationship with the green mass,” the team said.
The 9,539-square-metre tower offers 14, high-end housing units and a variety of communal spaces. Apartments are approximately 340 square metres, with the penthouse encompassing 573 square metres.
© Pedro Vannucchi
The apartment floor plans are designed to ensure the best views while providing a clear separation between the bedrooms and the main living space.
Natural ventilation and daylight are found throughout the units. The connection to the surrounding landscape is particularly strong in the living room, which has glazed doors that meet at a corner and open toward the terrace.
Communal spaces are located within a podium that features an open-air plaza with landscaping and a playground. The plaza was designed by Brazil’s Burle Marx Studio, which was started by the late landscape designer Robert Burle Marx.
© Pedro Vannucchi
The public areas include an event room, a spa, and a fitness area with a squash court. There also is a 25-metre indoor pool and an outdoor pool.
The building has several sustainable elements, including solar panels and plantings on certain roofs.
“Green roofs contribute to the creation of a more pleasant microclimate, avoiding the heat islands typically seen in great urban centres,” the architects said.
The team also preserved original vegetation was that existing on the site, which helps maintain a connection to the park.
© Pedro Vannucchi
Project Info:
Architects: Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetura
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Area: 1,976 m²
Photographs: Pedro Vannucchi
