Place

IMPA is located within a transition zone between the urban environment and the Tijuca Forest. The design’s major challenge was to implement the Institute in a complex topography – facing geotechnical risks and a densely wooded area – causing the least possible impact. We conceived a matrix which was well integrated with the environment and ensured a low impact intervention. Also, we seek a strong link between the new buildings and the typical humid-tropical construction, on stilts, known as “palafitas”. The construction on stilts preserves former connections at ground level, reducing vegetal suppression to the minimum and assuring a low soil permeability index. A monitoring system of the ground and a drainage system, is planned in order to avoid debris slides during heavy rains.

Prosperity & Planet

We focused on a bioclimatic strategy concerted with the environment: conceiving a light and minimal architecture was essential. At the same time suited to the climate and economy, particularly by reduction of means. This essential architecture also seeks abundant use of natural light and generous provision of spaces for social life. The matrix was conceived as a modular flexible system to accommodate a variety of alterations, without mischaracterizing its spatial structure. This feature, besides assuring open spaces between blocks (lighting, ventilation, and intermediate spaces), allows us to deal not only with pre-established issues, but also with the imponderability of the process of designing as well as on the process of occupying the buildings.

Progress & People

The building must house the Institutes activities with great flexibility, both in time and space. Thus, we conceived a system based in modules with great capacity for specialization. Here, the idea of design as a complex system is implicit, i.e.: a system constituted of several equal units which, by means of multiple associations, could attain the complexity needed to confer richness and resilience to the entire set. A brief walk with the mathematicians around the Institute makes you realize they cherish a simple, essential life. Also, the fact that mathematics can be considered and taught in very distinct situations caught our attention. This encouraged us to offer a wide range of social spaces (inside, outside, or in-between) and to seek simplicity and informality.