Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Stairs, Glass

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, StairsArchitecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Stairs, HandrailArchitecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Glass, FacadeArchitecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior PhotographyArchitecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - More Images+ 18

  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Castanhal Têxtil, Crosslam, Leo Madeiras, Polysistem
  • Architects In Charge: Vinicius Andrade, Marcelo Morettin, Marcelo Maia Rosa, Renata Andrulis
  • Project Coordinator: Raphael Souza
  • Project Team: Fernanda Mangini, Murilo Zidan, Daniel Zahoul, Guilherme Torres, Izabel Sigaud
  • Interns: Julia Daher, Simone Shimada, Danielle Gregorio, Ingrid Colares, Victoria de Almeida Leite, Arthur L. Falleiros, Arthur Klain, André Enrico, Ana Paula Silveira, Amanda Cunha, Maria Carolina Bomeny
  • City: São Paulo
  • Country: Brazil
More SpecsLess Specs
Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Glass, Facade

Text description provided by the architects. The invitation to write, in the space of the correspondences, about the architectural design for the 34th Bienal de São Paulo led us to reflect on the work process around it and to revisit the reading that we made of the event’s curatorial proposal – which is aimed discussing the relationship between things, much more than the things themselves. A discussion that is centered on the possibility of dialogue – or of mediation – as a way of relating with the world.

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Stairs
Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Stairs, Handrail

This concept of mediation takes on an even larger meaning when we consider that one of the main questions involved in an exhibition in the Bienal building is its confrontation with the scale of the architecture, its monumental dimensions – remembering that the pavilion, constructed for the occasion of the celebrations of the IV Centennial of the city of São Paulo, in 1954, was designed to house the Palace of Industries. With an urban dimension, the 250 x 50-meter pavilion consists of a series of extensive horizontal planes, structured by a regular grid of columns, connected by ramps and integrated to the surrounding park by its spacious ground floor with its triple ceiling height. Coupled with these characteristics is a brand-new and much celebrated architectural feature: the clearing of the third floor, which was previously occupied by the collection of MAC USP and which now presents its entire free plan to view, with a highlight on its auditorium.

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography
Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Image 17 of 23
First floor plan
Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography

Based on these initial considerations, we identified the relationships that would be interesting to establish between the artworks, the pavilion and the park, with the visitors as a conducting thread. More precisely, we aimed to create, by way of the architecture, conditions by which these relationships would take place in a balanced and modulated way. This goal gave rise to the idea of creating an intermediary scale, to carry out this role. To materialize this design concept – and considering an analogy with the urban reading that the pavilion suggests, in which its floors are like city blocks – we imagined buildings or galleries distributed throughout its planes, able to configure different levels of containment, visual permeability and lighting control. The galleries mark off a sequence of inner exhibition spaces, with alternating forms and materialities, whose interiors can be flexibly used for the arrangement of the artworks, according to the needs indicated by each artist. The detailed and precise exhibition design was developed by Metrópole Arquitetos Associados.

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography
Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Facade

In counterpoint to the open transparence of the glass façade in relation to the park, we imagined the galleries built with light, prefabricated elements, using support frames of laminated wood and partitions made with panels of various materials. Besides establishing a different constructive repertoire from that of the pavilion, the choice of a system based on industrialized components allows for quicker and easier setup along with more possibilities for the reuse of materials after the exhibition is taken down.

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Door

For the “skins” used in making the partitions, we chose a jute fabric that allows for the passage of air and light while also acting as a delicate filter of organic material; sheets of alveolar polycarbonate, which configure a space with diffuse lighting, blurring the lines of sight and visual continuities; and plywood sheets, allowing for more introspective and controlled settings. Last but not least, as a recovery of the open ground floor originally proposed by Oscar Niemeyer, the entrance to the exhibition is concentrated on its northwest face, next to the marquise. With its monumental design and ample ceiling height, as though it were an extension of the marquise itself, the entrance reinforces the building’s urban character and will serve as a welcoming area while also offering lockers, a bookstore and an educational space, seeking greater integration between the park and the exhibition.

Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados - Interior Photography, Column

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Architecture project for the 34th Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados" [Projeto de arquitetura para a 34a Bienal de Arte de São Paulo / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados] 01 Nov 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/971040/architecture-project-for-the-34th-bienal-de-arte-de-sao-paulo-andrade-morettin-arquitetos-associados> ISSN 0719-8884

第 34届巴西圣保罗艺术双年展展馆 / Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.