in são paulo, brazil, metro arquitetos has completed a contemporary art gallery clad with translucent polycarbonate panels. the building, which was completed in just 11 months, appears as a large singular volume that houses two large exhibition galleries, storage facilities, and administrative areas. totaling 500 square meters, the program is spread across three levels, including a mezzanine.

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the art gallery is clad with translucent polycarbonate panels
image by leonardo finotti (also main image)

 

 

metro began by collaborating with casa triângulo on finding a new home for the institution, which had been in operation for 28 years. a property on rua estados unidos — one of sao paulo’s most distinctive streets — was chosen based on both its location, and an existing structure on site could ensure a rapid transformation into a new exhibition space.

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
a pre-cast concrete bench helps suggest a welcoming public character
image by leonardo finotti

 

 

inside, the five meter ceiling height of the main exhibition space ensures that the gallery is capable of accommodating large pieces of artwork. externally, the elevation facing the quieter street of rua cristóvão diniz is defined by a courtyard demarcated by the gallery’s concrete flooring. here, a pre-cast concrete bench helps suggest a welcoming public character conducive to both event days and the daily use of pedestrians.

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
polycarbonate panels externally transmit the gallery’s artificial light by night
image by leonardo finotti

 

 

conversely, the area fronting the busier rua estados unidos is reserved for general-access parking. translucent polycarbonate panels form the entire perimeter of the gallery allowing natural light to enter during the day, while externally transmitting the gallery’s artificial illumination by night. meanwhile, large pivoting openings found within  continuous panels reinforce the scheme’s permeability between interior and exterior.

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
the gallery is capable of accommodating a range of different artworks
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
a singular volume houses two large exhibition galleries
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
the program is spread across three levels, including a mezzanine
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
casa triângulo has been in operation for 28 years
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
the panels span the building’s entire perimeter
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
storage facilities and administrative areas are also provided
image by leonardo finotti

metro-arquitetos-new-casa-triangulo-contemporary-art-gallery-sao-paulo-brazil-designboom-02
the gallery is located on rua estados unidos — one of sao paulo’s most distinctive streets
image by leonardo finotti

 

drawings

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metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 
metro arquitetos new casa triangulo contemporary art gallery sao paulo brazil designboom
 

 

project info:

 

location: são paulo, brazil
project dates: march 2015 – janurary 2016
total construction area: 450 sqm
architectural project: martin corullon, gustavo cedroni, helena cavalheiro, marina ioshii, renata mori, luis tavares, isadora marchi, rafael de sousa, juliana ziebell, gabriela santana, marina pereira

prospecção estrutural: marcondes ferraz engenharia

structural design: INNER engenharia e gerenciamento

service design: L2C engenharia
lighting: design da luz | fernanda carvalho

landscaping: bonsai paisagismo

contractor: lock engenharia

photography: leonardo finotti

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