Paulo Mendes da Rocha and MMBB Arquitetos transform disused São Paulo tower block into vibrant leisure destination
Brazilian design studio MMBB Arquitetos and legendary architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha have collaborated on the transformation of a disused tower block in central São Paulo into a vibrant leisure destination for the city.
Created for Brazilian non-profit SESC, the 14-storey building, situated on Rua 24 de Maio and Rua Dom José de Barro, has been stripped of several unnecessary elements – including a bankrupt department store at its heart – to clear space.
New facilities have been introduced in their place, including a health club, climbing wall, library, restaurant, galleries, cafe, dance studio, rooftop swimming pool and a subterranean theatre. Hanging gardens, covered squares and balconies create additional mini public spaces across the building.
Circulation has been enhanced with the introduction of large ramps connecting each floor. According to the design team, “in addition to their main function, these liven up the visitor experience, allowing an unleashed and playful stroll through the building.”
“Our design approach was to make the whole building breathe better and more suitable for its new uses,” they added in a statement.
The structure’s glass cladding has been revamped to expose life inside the building, invite pedestrians in and provide panoramic views of the city for its users.
Da Rocha is famous for his numerous cultural buildings in Brazil, particularly in Sao Paulo. Built in his trademark Brutalist style with exposed concrete structures and rough finishes, these include the Athletic Club of São Paulo, the Brazilian Sculpture Museum MuBE (1988), Patriach Plaza (1992-2002), the Pinacoteca do Estado gallery (1993) and the FIESP Cultural Center (1997).
He was awarded the 2017 Royal Gold Medal for architecture by the Royal Institute of British Architects – an accolade given to a person or group of people who have had a significant influence “either directly or indirectly on the advancement of architecture”.
The preceding year, he won the Praemium Imperiale global prize, among the most valuable in the profession, from the Japan Art Association and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2016 Venice Biennale.
Several high-profile leisure and hospitality projects are being developed in São Paulo, including a plant-covered Rosewood hotel designed by Jean Nouvel and an Oetker Collection hotel within an abandoned Brazilian palace designed by the iconic late architect Oscar Niemeyer.
MMBB Arquitetos Paulo Mendes da Rocha São Paulo leisure SESC BrazilPaulo Mendes Da Rocha awarded RIBA Royal Gold Medal for architectural influence
Paulo Mendes da Rocha wins prestigious Praemium Imperiale architecture prize
Paulo Mendes da Rocha to receive Golden Lion lifetime award at Venice Biennale
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
How Portugal’s biggest brewer enlisted the help of one of the country’s best known architects to turn two historic nature parks into thermal spa and nature destinations