LabTheater

FADU - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseno y Urbanismo, Buenos Aires

Project idea

In this project, we worked the conjunction of two programs that seem opposite, in a way that both of them work by themselves, but also being very sensitive about their public or private condition, trying to potentiate the best aspects of each one and dialoguing with the public space in the city. Furthermore, we contributed to the development of quality public spaces in the city, and enhanced the preexisting square.

We theorically based our projects in the thoughts and texts of Yona Friedman and N. John Habraken, developing the project in terms of supports which means we see our project not as a static one, but one that allows changes and evolution.

Project description

The building is located in Republica neighborhood, in Sao Paulo, Brasil.
República is an historical neigborhood, what makes it one of the most
important turistic and cultural places in the city . Inside of it the project is placed in the continuation of “Viaduto Santa Ifigênia”, a city’s peatonal viaduct, that morphs into a square with great importance in the area. Taking this as our start point, we decided to plan a building that would dialoge with the square and the viaduct, making itself an extension of both elements to the public. At the same time, the building works as the unification of two programs that, at first glance, may seem incompatible: theatre and laboratory. In order to make both of them work together, we define laboratory as a place where the experimentation, investigation and technical working is possible. On the other hand we designed two theatres. While one of them dialogues with the square and is open to the public, the other one functions as an annex to the laboratory.As a result, the laboratory becomes the heart of the building, fueling and incentivating the link between both theatres.

Technical information

-self-supporting channel glass panels
-metal reticulated structure
-metal curtain doors for the laboratorys
-plaster walls
-Forklift
-Light weighted concrete floors

Co-authors

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