Our studio has chosen bamboo as the centerpiece for the Bambu building, a residential development by Atmosfera Incorporadora, located in Praia Grande in Ubatuba, on the northern coast of São Paulo state. The façade features vertical slats of treated bamboo, which can be reconfigured by the movement of articulated brises, becoming a living and dynamic element that confers a unique identity in dialogue with the local ecosystem.
Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2023
First Award | Housing (upto 5 floors) (Built)
Project Name: Bambu Atmosfera
Category: Housing (upto 5 floors) (Built)
Studio Name: Perkins&Will
Design Team: Douglas Tolaine, Fernando Vidal, Lara Kaiser, Adriana Barbosa, Fernando Afonso, Tiago Ferrari, Gustavo Masotti, Fátima Oliveira e Renan Kadamoto
Area: 5.900 sqm
Year: 2023
Location: Ubatuba, São Paulo
Consultants: Contractor: Atmosfera Incorporadora, Lighting Consultants: MaisArq Arquitetura, Landscape: Cardim Arquitetura Paisagística, Structural Engineering : MRG, Foundation Engineer: APOIO, Electrical And Hydraulic Installations: SKK
Photography Credits: Nelson Kon
Bamboo works exceptionally well when applied to constructions due to its adaptability to diverse functions and forms within a development. As a low-cost natural material, bamboo thrives in the region, reducing the use of natural resources in transportation and handling, thereby decreasing the construction’s carbon footprint—an integral commitment to the future, ensuring low environmental impact.
Aesthetically pleasing and sustainable compared to other materials, bamboo is lightweight, durable, and fast-growing. In Japan, it is widely used in buildings for its flexibility, allowing structures to withstand earthquakes and other natural events. In Brazil, its adaptability is particularly suitable for warm and humid climates, such as the coastal environment, contributing to thermal comfort.
To further emphasize the choice of bamboo, the architectural team decided to apply a greenish copper-like coating on the façade, the entrance area, and the pool area, situated on the 20-meter-high rooftop with ocean views. By utilizing different shades of green and materials that transform over time, aging with remarkable beauty, we reinforce the concept of a contemporary bamboo grove.
Situated on a 1,843m² plot of land, Bambu Atmosfera offers constant contact with nature both inside and outside the building. The “U”-shaped layout gives rise to a generous central plaza adorned with native species from the Atlantic Forest, connecting outdoor and indoor spaces with the local biome. The layout also ensures that all apartments have a view of the sea. The development comprises five apartment typologies ranging from 62 m² to 110 m² of private area.
Within the apartments, movable panels provide freedom and autonomy for residents while shielding interiors from direct sunlight. Both the façade and the expansive balconies with wooden planters serve as protective elements against solar exposure, reaffirming integration with the local landscape. Cantilevered walkways, fire-galvanized steel railings, and the use of glass and metals create contrasts that further enhance the dialogue between diverse elements.
