(RE)IMAGINE SÃO PAULO
SÃO PAULO STATE GOVERNMENT HQ
A2M Architecture + JAA Arquitetura + ITA Engenharia
São Paulo/BRA| 2024
Climate-driven urban design at civic scale
(re)imagine São Paulo represents a pioneering vision of regenerative design, moving beyond traditional sustainability by not only reducing environmental impact but actively restoring and enhancing urban ecosystems. The aim was to use climate as a design tool.
As the Lead Designer, I conceptualized and guided the project from concept to delivery, focusing on environmental analytics, computational design, and regenerative principles. Detailed climate studies such as solar radiation, wind patterns, thermal comfort (UTCI), and air quality guided each design decision, ensuring architecture that enhances ecological and urban resilience.
The project strategically integrates climatic elements such as evaporation, emissivity, albedo, wind, and relative humidity to mitigate urban heat islands and enhance thermal comfort. Design solutions such as graduated façade albedo, reflective roofs, ventilated façades, and ground-level porosity effectively channel breezes for pedestrian comfort, facilitating urban convection cooling. The proposal distinctly separate public spaces, inspired by historic market halls, from nature-integrated private gardens above.
Aiming for LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, Fitwel 3, and BREEAM Outstanding, the project sets a new standard for São Paulo’s urban future.
Key Strategies:
• Thermal comfort and energy efficiency: Cobogós and extended slabs optimize natural lighting and thermal performance.
• Balanced ventilation: Mixed ventilation systems balance natural and mechanical airflow.
• Structural efficiency: Modular 1.25m structural grids organize naturally lit workspaces.
• Sustainable construction: The CREE hybrid structural system, combining wood and precast concrete, significantly reduces embodied energy and environmental impact.
• Renewable resources: Sustainability features include rooftop solar panels, comprehensive rainwater reuse systems, and strategies that achieve up to 80% reduction in CO₂ emissions.