Veleiro do Sul Skyscraper | Enrique Greenwell

Symbolism as a response to context Rio de Janeiro / Brazil / 2007

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Introduction The tower is an architectural element that has evolved since its inception in the early 20th century. There have been dramatic improvements in building technology and skinning solutions that have played a major role in this type of construction. However, there has been a constant in their development –creating an enclosed atmosphere that protects us from the outside. In this competition the solution is reversed promoting the interaction between the inside and the outside. The means of achieving this is by taking advantage of its location and making the outside factors the relevant parameters that define the shape and composition. The most important part of any design is and will always be people. This is true anywhere. There is no reason to make the user adapt to the building since it has to be the other way around. Therefore, the whole design process is dictated by the natural and cultural elements of the region. Brazil is an extremely rich country in regards of people, culture, and resources. It can easily be considered a paradise due to its almost perfect weather and beautiful settings such as Rio de Janeiro, city that was chosen for this project. The Concept The tower solution revolved around three factors that were the main design parameters including symbolism, local culture, and response to the context. The symbolism came with the origin of the term skyscraper, which was originally a nautical term used well before high rises came about and was used to refer to the tallest mast on a ship. Not by coincidence the country was discovered and explored by the Portuguese that sailed from Europe in their big-sailed caravels. Culture and behavior of the average Brazilian played a major role in the design of the tower – since they are a culture who enjoys the outdoors such as the sun, nature, and a fascinating reluctance for interior spaces. The natural context provided the rest – gentle breezes and spectacular sunsets as well as amazing vistas of the Bay of Guanabara, the Sugar Loaf Mountain, the City of Niteroi, the big Christ atop Corcovado Mountain, the Flamengo beach and embankment and the beautiful Marina da Gloria. The Design The tower’s main feature is a sail-like device that is comprised of turbines that are spun by the wind, thus generating part of the energy used in the building. This concept is a poetic and symbolic response to the big sails of ships and it also helps blend the nautical-looking design with the big bay and the marina. Big roof terraces are spread throughout the building to provide family-gathering areas, bringing a more human scale and responding to that unique need of enjoying the outdoors even from a high rise. The project opens-up to the exterior, challenging the established idea of an enclosed space and responding to the local culture. Hot air is vented out of the building by opening louvers at the top. This draws fresh air into it thus generating a constant flow. The present solution is comprised of spaces for retail and leisure as well as a business center and an art gallery. Included are restaurants and a five-star hotel with 250 beds plus 25 VIP suites, a Cineplex with six movie theaters, 78 condos and 6 penthouses, six roof terraces with a bar in each plus an individual private terrace to be shared by two Condos each. The total height is 325.05 meters (1067feet) to the upper observation deck and 408.95 meters (1342 feet) to the top of the sail. There are 64 floors and a helipad connecting the upper penthouses. Total area for the Hotel is 20,820 sq meters (224,023 sq ft) and 107,738.8 sq. meters (1,159,269.48 sq ft) for the Tower In conclusion, one can state that the skyscraper could very well be the architectural solution of the future for big cities. However, it must adapt to its surroundings and provide a decent habitat for humans without diminishing their needs as it evolves into a self sustained entity that does not take from our dwindling resources.
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    Introduction The tower is an architectural element that has evolved since its inception in the early 20th century. There have been dramatic improvements in building technology and skinning solutions that have played a major role in this type of construction. However, there has been a constant in their development –creating an enclosed atmosphere that protects us from the outside. In this competition the solution is reversed promoting the interaction between the inside and the outside. The...

    Project details
    • Year 2007
    • Work started in 2006
    • Work finished in 2007
    • Status Competition works
    • Type Waterfront / Office Buildings / Tower blocks/Skyscrapers / Hotel/Resorts
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