mareines + patalano's mopi school clad with transparent leaf-like panels in brazil

mareines + patalano’s mopi school clad with transparent leaf-like panels in brazil
image © leonardo finotti

brazilian firm mareines + patalano arquitetura has completed the ‘mopi primary school’ in rio de janiero, brazil. situated in a leafy area of the brazilian city, the characteristic façade was derived from the forest landscape; an abstraction of a tree. half of the building overlooks a mountainous national forest , meanwhile the other is a busy avenue connecting the city’s west to north zones. the U-shaped plan was conceived as four separated volumes which are interconnected by outdoor balconies which open up towards the forest and encourage passive cooling. the classrooms are clad with translucent channel glass which allows natural light in without distracting the pupils.

the main façade is an abstration of a tree, evoking a forest
image © leonardo finotti

in terms of the materiality, the exterior is comprised of perforated, pre-oxidized copper panels which are attached to glulam beams: made from renewable and specially harvested eucalyptus trees. the micro perforation of the copper enables the air to flow through without letting rainwater in but it is also a decorative feature giving the façade transparency and opacity. during the day, it looks opaque from the outside and semitransparent from inside and at night, the green enhances the shadows of internal movement.

the pre-oxidized copper panels are attached to the concrete structure
image © leonardo finotti

at night, the exterior becomes semitransparent, where internal movements and colors become visible
image © leonardo finotti

the two elliptical volumes that faces the avenue contain the main classrooms
image © leonardo finotti

brightly colored interiors
image © leonardo finotti

the double storey sports facility
image © leonardo finotti

sheltered court
image © leonardo finotti

interlocked rubber floor from old tires covers all the recreational areas
image © leonardo finotti

the covered pool uses steel circular columns and eucalyptus glulam beams for support
image © leonardo finotti

the open terrace used as a recreational area during classes and recess offer views to the natural beauty
image © leonardo finotti

image © leonardo finotti