Zózimo do Amaral Square is located on the western extreme of Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where the Avenues of Niemeyer, Delfim Moreira and Visconde de Albuquerque meet. We suggested a deck to accompany the natural topography of the site, projecting it towards the Atlantic Ocean to take in the beautiful view of the Leblon and Ipanema coastlines.

As urban intervention suggests, a clean and efficient design was sought, with a minimal use of elements, specifically vertical elements that would mark the landscape. Empty space is the structurer of public space.

Promoting permanence and encouraging use, some shady areas were created with two rows of trees. Under these, two linear benches are inviting places to read a book or have a picnic. In the western part of the square, the water canals should not disappear, but rather they should be valorized as traditionally beautiful spaces in historic cities.

Near the boardwalk, a bicycle rack closes off the bike lanes of the south zone beaches. Towards the ocean, a deck accompanies the slight decline of the site with a grandstand and side ramps. This space can serve as an open-air auditorium, possibly as a movie theater: the projector and screen can be automatically built into the floor.

The empty space of the square can be filled with everyday and sporadic uses. A group of movable furniture encourages permanence of the site. This furniture is attached to the deck with specific tools and can be reorganized by using a master key. These security locks are positioned modularly throughout the square.

The sketchy lighting suggests the use elements in the square as reflectors. The trees reflect the light coming from the floor and the benches have a line of continuous light. The same occurs in the steps of the grandstand. At the end of the pier, the lighting comes from within the deck and structures the space.

Besides this, the urban design of the square includes the transition between the level of the square and the belvedere at the start of Niemeyer Avenue, 8m above. A circular ramp makes this trajectory possible, in a way that one can also enjoy the view. Today, the transition is done by a narrow street of the Avenue. Projects for these small spaces guarantee quality for public spaces and, if adopted systematically, quality for the entire city.

Studio MK27

ZOZIMO AMARAL

location > rio de janeiro . rj . brasil
project > dezembro . 2010
site area > 3.000 sqm
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architect > marcio kogan
co-architects > gabriel kogan
project team > carolina castroviejo
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studio team > diana radomysler . eduardo chalabi . eduardo glycerio . elisa friedmann . lair reis . luciana antunes . maria cristina motta . mariana simas . oswaldo pessano . renata furlanetto . samanta cafardo . suzana glogowski

Zózimo do Amaral Square is located on the western extreme of Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where the Avenues of Niemeyer, Delfim Moreira and Visconde de Albuquerque meet. We suggested a deck to accompany the natural topography of the site, projecting it towards the Atlantic Ocean to take in the beautiful view of the Leblon and Ipanema coastlines.

As urban intervention suggests, a clean and efficient design was sought, with a minimal use of elements, specifically vertical elements that would mark the landscape. Empty space is the structurer of public space.

Promoting permanence and encouraging use, some shady areas were created with two rows of trees. Under these, two linear benches are inviting places to read a book or have a picnic. In the western part of the square, the water canals should not disappear, but rather they should be valorized as traditionally beautiful spaces in historic cities.

Near the boardwalk, a bicycle rack closes off the bike lanes of the south zone beaches. Towards the ocean, a deck accompanies the slight decline of the site with a grandstand and side ramps. This space can serve as an open-air auditorium, possibly as a movie theater: the projector and screen can be automatically built into the floor.

The empty space of the square can be filled with everyday and sporadic uses. A group of movable furniture encourages permanence of the site. This furniture is attached to the deck with specific tools and can be reorganized by using a master key. These security locks are positioned modularly throughout the square.

The sketchy lighting suggests the use elements in the square as reflectors. The trees reflect the light coming from the floor and the benches have a line of continuous light. The same occurs in the steps of the grandstand. At the end of the pier, the lighting comes from within the deck and structures the space.

Besides this, the urban design of the square includes the transition between the level of the square and the belvedere at the start of Niemeyer Avenue, 8m above. A circular ramp makes this trajectory possible, in a way that one can also enjoy the view. Today, the transition is done by a narrow street of the Avenue. Projects for these small spaces guarantee quality for public spaces and, if adopted systematically, quality for the entire city.

Studio MK27