L’ACQUA: Proposal for a building on a campus for research and education on water
Design team: Ana Rolim, Erica Costa, Robson Canuto, Rodrigo Malvim, and Allyson Pimentel
Our proposal aims to integrate architecture and landscape seamlessly, departing from the typical separation seen in modernist campus buildings.
The program includes laboratories, classrooms, an auditorium, restaurant, and community center on the ground level, focusing on water-related research and public education.
To achieve this, we designed a slender tower that intersects with water on its west façade, featuring a cascading waterfall onto a reflective pool below, extending the existing Cavouco Creek. Additionally, the building connects the campus to a nearby street via a pedestrian bridge at ground level, providing a shaded walkway over water and creating a much-needed public space in an underutilized area of the campus.
 Overall view with building and bridges that operate as new connections to open spaces |  Site plan showing ground floor |  The site is located at the source of the Cavouco Creek, a condition that drives our design approach |
|---|---|---|
 Diagram of the proposed active relationship between water and building, a criticism to the sterile modernist slab typical on campus |  Plan and section sustainability diagrams |  Exterior view showing West elevation with corten steel screen |
 The walkway leads to the edge of the building where water cascades down to the reflective pool below |  Floor Plans: a slim open plan tower with laboratories and social spaces at ground and upper floors |  The West side walkway allows for great views of the surroundings |
 North-South perspective section |  The proposed bridge over the Cavouco Creek strengthens the connection between campus and city |  A slice through the volume gives it a dramatic effect and marks the active relationship with the site. |