The Paratehy Residential Community Center project aimed to design the Social Headquarters for a newly established condominium in São José dos Campos, Brazil, situated in the expanding Urbanova district. This area is characterized by expansive spaces featuring remnants of its agricultural past, alongside new infrastructure developments and a preserved native forest adjacent to the project site.

Design Challenges and Guiding Principles

With a predefined program and desired areas, the primary challenge was implementing the building on a sloping terrain, bordered by a large curve on one side and the preserved forest on the other. Key guiding principles included:

Orienting the Hall towards the forest to provide privacy and scenic views.

Harmonizing the building with existing architectural elements, particularly the residential entrances.

Establishing the architecture as a landmark at the intersection of roads.

Design Solutions

Given the steep slope, a retaining wall was employed to create a lower-level pavement for parking and service entrances, effectively concealing them from the front view. The building’s facade appears as a single floor from the front, housing social entrances, the main hall, and discreet support areas like the kitchen and bathrooms.

Visual Privacy and Material Selection

A visual barrier was crafted to enhance privacy in the main hall, manifested as a large stone wall with strategically placed windows for natural light and ventilation. The decision to use a steel structure stemmed from the need for a lightweight roof spanning the expansive hall without intermediate supports. Low-slope roofs were chosen to achieve a visually light and cohesive design, meeting the client’s preference for quick, clean, and phased construction.

Integration with Nature

The use of stone as a building material creates a contrast with the steel and glass elements while integrating the architecture with the lush backdrop of the forest. This juxtaposition aims to harmonize the built environment with the natural surroundings, creating a sense of unity and tranquility within the residential community.