mira arquitetos houses CNM headquarters in a floating volume of glass + steel

architecture office mira arquitetos has shared its winning design for the new headquarters of the confederação nacional dos municípios (national confederation of municipalities)(CNM) in brasília. the brazilian studio has framed the offices in a white metallic volume that floats gently on a concrete base.

the design houses the new headquarters of the confederação nacional dos municípios in brasília

placing prominence on the functional roles of each level of the building, mira arquitetos has arranged the CNM headquarters according to its many and varied programs. the studio wanted the organization of the ground floor to strengthen its function as the main point of convergence — acting as the anchor to a clear and rational structural system that would not only guarantee speed and economy in construction, but would set the standards for the complex as a whole and prove itself as a sustainable building.

offices are framed in a white metallic volume that floats gently on a concrete base

as such, the arrangement of the built elements is a direct response to the distribution of the program in the site: the base contains all public functions (auditorium, foyer, support rooms), the mid levels contain administrative areas (offices) and the roof terraces houses the meeting rooms. finally, the basement holds the garage and an annex to the technical, service and maintenance areas.

the lower ground level contains a central civic courtyard

‘the design of the ground floor was the guiding principle of the proposal’, say the studio. ‘we have created a square, slightly sunken in relation to the midlevel of the terrain, which unfolds on two levels and results in a new topography for the lot.’ the upper level of the ground floor houses a reflecting pool which guides guests towards reception, while the lower level contains a civic square, from which you can access the auditorium. in each case, the atmosphere of the ground floor is regulated by its relationship to the floating volume above, a looming and solid presence that is accented by glass paneling, breaking the concrete facade of the lower levels and providing insight into the building’s interior.

its concrete base is accented by glass panelling that provides insight into the rooms within

in its design for the landscape, mira arquitetos sought primarily for the use of native biodiversity. ‘we tried to create synergy between the plants and the building, thus creating a connection between the new construction and the natural environment. the ground floor has two purposes: it is both support for the settlement of the new set and an interface with the city.’ 

the building is bracketed by metallic panelling that rises above the built volume 

the auditorium is accessible through the courtyard

the building is arranged according to its many and varied programs 

the base contains all public functions (auditorium, foyer, support rooms)…

…while the mid-levels contain administrative spaces…

…and the roof terrace is home to the meeting rooms

the basement is home to the garage, and an annex to all technical and maintenance functions

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom