CULTURAL COMUNITARY CENTER // ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
ward- inning
A
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Project
Cultural Comunitary Center - Palmas, TO.
Brazil Awarding institution: IAB RS Award 2025 (José Albino Volkmer Prize)
Problems
Palmas is one of the last planned capitals established in Brazil and a relatively young city, originally conceived with a phased urban development strategy. However, its growth did not occur as intended.
As shown by the grey tones on the map, the expansion happened irregularly rather than sequentially, intensifying socio-spatial segregation between the Formal City (planned core) and the Peripheral Area (less structured occupation).
While the Formal City retained large urban voids and underused planned zones, the Peripheral Area experienced higher population concentration due to the lack of consolidated infrastructure and the incomplete implementation of the original urban plan.
This spatial imbalance frames the context of the project and supports the proposal of a Community Cultural Center as a tool for social integration and urban equity.
"Between Planning and
Segregation"
The site
N
Solutions
Documentation
Site plan
Documentation
Ground Floor
Documentation
Sections
Documentation
Details
Detail 01
Detail 02
Detail 03
Documentation
Estructural Model
The structural strategy was developed with the aim of creating a fast and dry construction system, minimising material waste and on-site processes. The choice of structural ceramic masonry was also influenced by Palmas’ local construction context, where specialised labour and expertise in structural masonry are readily available.
The project adopts a mixed structural system combining structural ceramic masonry and Glulam.
The ceramic masonry blocks use prestressed concrete slabs, allowing for large spans while relying on locally available construction expertise.
Glulam forms the secondary roof structure, providing lightweight construction and large spans. Beyond its structural role, the secondary roof also contributes to thermal comfort by reducing direct solar heat gain.
Documentation
Thermal Comfort
Considering Palmas’ high temperatures and intense solar radiation throughout most of the year, the project combines strategic material selection with passive environmental strategies to reduce heat gain and improve indoor comfort.
The double-roof system creates a naturally ventilated cavity between the roof layers, allowing accumulated heat to dissipate before reaching the interior. A similar principle is applied to the double-skin walls, where an air gap between the layers provides an additional thermal buffer and reduces heat transfer.
The building’s orientation was also considered, avoiding large exposed façades towards the west, where solar radiation is intense in the afternoon. Together, these strategies reduce solar gains and the dependence on mechanical cooling, creating a more comfortable environment.
RESIDENTIAL STUDY // ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
About the place
An exploration of Passive House principles and Irish construction methods
This project explores the design of a contemporary Irish home through Passive House principles and local construction methods.
Developed as a personal study, the project investigates how building orientation, materiality, airtightness, insulation and natural ventilation can be integrated into a residential design suited to the Irish climate.
The proposal combines a contemporary architectural language with construction strategies commonly used in Ireland, including cavity wall construction, high-performance glazing and a highly insulated building envelope.
Site & Context
The site is characterised by a natural slope that strongly influences the organisation and form of the dwelling. Rather than flattening the terrain, the proposal works with the existing levels, allowing the building to step into the landscape.
Solar orientation and prevailing winds were considered from the early stages of the design, informing the positioning of the main openings, outdoor spaces and building volume.
June solstice
Equinox March and September
December
Design Development
The house is organised vertically in response to the site’s natural slope and the couple’s daily routines. The partially embedded ground floor follows the existing terrain, minimising site intervention while accommodating the main social and service spaces, including the living room, kitchen, lounge and utility areas. The second floor is accessed from the rear of the property, creating a more independent level dedicated to the couple’s work and studio activities. At the uppermost level, the roof volume is integrated into the design to form a spacious and private master suite, with the generous attic space allowing for an additional room within the roof structure.
Documentation
Embedded into the natural slope, the ground floor takes advantage of the existing topography while reducing the building’s exposure to the surrounding environment. The level accommodates the main social and service spaces, creating a connected living core with direct relationships to the landscape.
The partially earth-sheltered condition also contributes to the project’s passive approach, helping to moderate internal temperatures and reduce heat loss. Combined with a compact form, controlled openings and a high-performance building envelope, the layout supports the principles of a comfortable and energy-efficient home.
Ground floor wall
1st. & 2nd. Floor Wall
Section A-A
The house is organised across three levels, responding directly to the natural slope of the site. Rather than levelling the terrain, the building is stepped into it, allowing each floor to establish a different relationship with the landscape.
The ground floor is partially embedded into the slope and accommodates the main social and service spaces, creating a sheltered and thermally stable base. The upper levels progressively transition towards more private areas, with the second floor providing the main bedroom spaces and an alternative access from the rear of the site.
The third floor completes the vertical arrangement with a more compact and elevated volume, benefiting from increased daylight, views and a stronger connection with the surrounding landscape. Together, the three levels create a compact dwelling that works with the topography while incorporating passive design principles to support thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Detail 1
Detail 2
Section B-B
Detail 1
Detail 2
MODERN COUNTRYSIDE HOME // INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT
Kitchen and
Living-Dinning Room
The living, kitchen and dining area was designed around a palette of colours and materials that connects with the surrounding landscape. The client’s main goal was to create a continuous space where the living, dining and kitchen areas could coexist, while also incorporating a dedicated reading corner within the same open-plan environment.
The kitchen features a custom worktop and sink in porcelain, combined with wood-effect MDF and grey MDF to create a balanced material palette.
A secondary island was positioned alongside the main worktop, providing additional storage and supporting the family’s everyday use of the space.The remaining areas were designed around the family’s existing furniture collection, including antique and inherited pieces. The design work therefore focused on creating a cohesive composition around these elements through furniture layout, floor tiling, lighting design and the detailed planning of the kitchen worktop, sink and bespoke cabinetry.
Ground Floor Plan
The project can be better understood through the floor plan and the organisation of the spaces. Here, the layout and circulation flows of the residence become clearer, showing how the spaces were carefully arranged and planned alongside the interior design to create a cohesive and functional home.
Further details of the social areas can be explored through the links below.
MAIN
ENTRANCE
Master
Suite
The master suite was conceived as a private retreat, creating a calm and intimate environment for the residents. The design maintains a strong connection with the surrounding landscape through the use of natural materials, warm tones and subtle textures that echo the character of the exterior.
Lighting was carefully considered to reinforce this atmosphere, combining ambient and indirect lighting with more focused sources to create different layers of light throughout the space. The result is a warm and timeless interior designed to feel both comfortable and closely connected to nature.
Further technical details can be explored through the links below.
The walk-in wardrobe was designed to minimise visual information, allowing the clothing itself to become part of the composition. As an open wardrobe, the intention was to create a simple and visually calm environment through light tones, clean lines and minimal detailing.
The layout combines generous hanging areas with dedicated storage for folded garments, balancing functionality with a light and uncluttered aesthetic.
Further technical details can be explored through the links below.
The master bathroom was designed to bring personality to the space through a contrasting tile layout, combining dark marble-effect and white finishes. This composition is complemented by custom cabinetry in warm wood tones, adding warmth and balance to the room.
The natural material palette established throughout the house and master suite continues into the bathroom, creating a cohesive aesthetic while giving the space its own distinct character.
Further technical details can be explored through the links below.
The second bedroom was designed for the family’s teenage son, with the aim of creating a space that reflects his personality while remaining adaptable as he grows.
The design provides a simple and flexible base that allows personal objects and decorations to become part of the composition. Elements such as his guitar and other belongings bring character to the room, making the space feel personal, relaxed and representative of its occupant.
Further technical details can be explored through the links below.
Bedroom
& Bathroom
The guest bathroom was designed to strengthen the connection with the surrounding landscape, bringing the presence of nature into the interior through the generous opening towards the exterior.
A sophisticated atmosphere was created through a darker material palette, with deep wall finishes and black elements throughout the space. The contrast between the darker tones and the greenery outside creates a refined yet intimate environment.
Further technical details can be explored through the links below.