Articles by Andreas Luco

A building whose memory is engrained in the very walls, a deep patina of stories of which we know not. A narrative that leaves us wondering.  An unanswered melancholy whose glimpse of the future is presented as a continuum of the new and as yet untold stories, this is a work about potential.  About preservation of the past yet celebration of the future.

The ABF “Maria Manetti Shrem” Educational Center opens its doors. The first educational center designed by Alvisi Kirimoto www.alvisikirimoto.it and promoted by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, aims to improve the educational and academic experience of hospitalized boys and girls. Designed to offer a peaceful, enriching, and stimulating environment surrounded by nature, this initiative is part of the ABF H-LABS program for Schools in Hospitals, which supports the right to quality education in complex and challenging contexts, such as Italian Pediatric Hospitals. The project revolves around art and music, leveraging the educational opportunities facilitated by cutting-edge technologies. The ABF “Maria Manetti Shrem” Educational Center, accessible daily to hospitalized girls and boys, offers an integrated program of activities. Beyond supporting the School in Hospitals initiatives, it enhances existing socio-educational experiences onsite through daily programming organized collaboratively by the ABF, Meyer Hospital, Fondazione Meyer, Istituti Scolastici, and other entities involved in education, pet therapy, clown therapy, and music therapy.

When we visited the project site with the client, we noticed some particular features that we could say became guiding elements of what the project would become. Upon arrival, we sensed a bucolic atmosphere and a sense of peace. The site, located in a gated community in the city of Campinas, faced a farm. With a wide view, we could observe the Maria Fumaça train passing by, and at that moment, the direction of the house’s views was already being revealed or suggested.

The project was born from a dream shared by a couple who had lived for many years in the place they loved, in Itanhangá, Rio de Janeiro. The house they lived in no longer aligned with their lifestyle desires. They wanted something simpler, practical, without excess, but full of beauty and with a generous garden. The linear layout of the construction, positioned along the longitudinal boundary of the land, was designed to favor the main entrance through a green pathway, maximizing the gardens and preserving almost all of the existing trees. Practical access for cars and service areas was strategically placed at the front of the property, while the private spaces were located at the back. At the intersection of these spaces lies the open dining room, fulfilling the client’s desire to dine outdoors. A great surprise came upon visiting the site: the chosen position of the house provided a perfect view of Pedra da Gávea, a delight for the residents’ eyes.

Sjöparken, a sanctuary of understated luxury immersed in the embrace of nature, invites you on an extraordinary retreat. Drawing inspiration from the elegance of Nordic simplicity, the timeless traditions of Japanese design, and the tropical allure of resort living, this architectural gem emerges as a unique hybrid – a harmonious blend of distinct influences that converge seamlessly within its walls. Each corner tells a story of simplicity, unity, and the spirit of the place, creating an unparalleled experience where thoughtful design and nature come together in perfect harmony.