“Patio, channel of sky. The patio is the slope down which sky flows into the house”.
Jorge Luis Borges

Our approach to the design responds simultaneously to the urbanistic constrictions in Brasilia - including the topographic characteristics of the terrain - and the character of the architecture desired for the new national SEBRAE headquarters. What we propose is not a building but an architectural complex with: 1) emphasis on interior spatiality, aimed at integration of both the user and the built and natural landscape; 2) maximum flexibility for organization of offices, and 3) concern with optimal environmental and economic performance.

Sebrae Headquarters, drawing, Brasília DF, 2010. Architects Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies

Patio

The whole complex is developed proceeding from an interior spatiality. Developed in plan, the void assumes an important presence in the interior of the complex, taking the form of a patio where the most public activities are located. Around this internal square , the education and training spaces, multipurpose rooms, auditorium, library and cafeteria are located on a lower ground level, while the main access to the complex are on an upper level, with balconies open to city and the lake Paranoá.

Sebrae Headquarters, drawing, Brasília DF, 2010. Architects Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies

The topography and spatial sense: the ground floor multiplied and the distribution of program

The arrangement of the program coincides directly with the disposition of the build pieces on the terrain. Collective functions and activities that may host collaborators or external public are located at the base of the complex (lower and upper ground level). These spaces are organized and articulated by the square, marked by the presence of the auditorium. The administrative and management spaces are concentrated on the upper floors. On the lower floors are the parking garage and administrative departments related with building services and maintenance.

Sebrae Headquarters, drawing, Brasília DF, 2010. Architects Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies

Offices: modularity and flexibility

The design of workspaces allows for differing arrangements, both for the spaces themselves and for the buildings installations and infrastructure components – such as raised floor, partitions walls and lack of pillars in the middle of the floor. The area dedicated to offices spaces is truly free.

Articulation, circulation and infra-structure

With the aim of connecting all sectors a double peripheral double structure was created - two castles of vertical circulation, infrastructures and diverse support resources – with multiple connection possibilities: stairways, verandas and public or private elevators – facilitate communication between diverse spaces and levels. The circulation incorporates the central space into the design of the everyday trajectories, thus accentuating its presence. All the infrastructure networks are distributed to the complex via surfaces with installation (partition walls and raised floor) and dedicated vertical shafts.

Sebrae Headquarters, model, Brasília DF, 2010. Architects Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies
Foto Nelson Kon

Architectural expression

The architectural expression of proposed complex is closely linked to the design options that converge to provide an organized and efficient work with strategic reduction of the building activities. The structures are treated and exposed, revealing the plasticity of steel and concrete. The metal brise-soleil panel structure guarantees protection of the complex.. In general lines the building will contrast the natural colors of its materials with the white of the metal structure, the blue of the sky and the green of the surrounding environment.

Sebrae Headquarters, model, Brasília DF, 2010. Architects Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies
Foto Nelson Kon

The complex was built with the open ground with elongated visuals; stressing the possibility of extension of the public floor without compromising the presence of the Brasília’s sky on the large central space conformed. Finally, the gentle curve of the castle of services on the north face, in addition to opened part of the plot offered to the city marks the uniqueness of this construction, neither isolated nor supposedly palace, but surface convergent and multiplier of urbe, your story, your life.

ficha técnica

project
Sebrae National Headquarters, Brasilia DF

client
Sebrae Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service

competition and project
2008

completion date
2010

plot area
10.000,00 m2

building area
25.000,00 m2

design team / architecture

principal in charge
Alvaro Puntoni, Luciano Margotto, João Sodré and Jonathan Davies

collaborators
Amanda Spadotto, Cristina Tosta, Camila Obniski, Daniela Pochetto, Fabiana Cyon, Flavio Castro, João Carlos Yamamoto, José Paulo Gouvêa, Juliana Braga, Luis Carlos Dias and Roberta Cevada

students
André Nunes, Julia Valiengo, Julia Caio, Isabel Nassif, Rafael Murolo, Rafael Neves and Raphael Souza

structural engineering
Jorge Zaven Kurkdjian and Julio Fruchtengarten / Kurkdjian & Fruchtengarten Engenheiros Associados S/C Ltda.

Landscape
Fernando Magalhães Chacel and Sidney Linhares / CAP Consultoria Ambiental Paisagística Ltda.

hydraulics and electric engineering
Wang Mou Suong and Ulisses Tavano / PHE Engenharia de Projetos Hidráulicos e Elétricos Ltda.
Roberto Chendes / Situare Arquitetura e Engenharia Ltda

avac
Eizo Kosai / Thermoplan Engenharia Térmica Ltda.

eco-effectiveness
Luis Carlos Chichierchio and Juliette Haase de Azevedo / Ambiental Consultoria Ltda.

automatization and security
Roberto Luigi Bettoni, Aires Craveiro and Victor Vainer / Bettoni Automação e Segurança Ltda

vertical circulation
Moacyr Motta / EMPRO - Cómercio e Engenharia em Transporte Vertical Ltda

waterproofing
Virginia Pezzolo / PROASSP Assessoria e Projeto Ltda

estimate
Mauro Zaidan / Nova Engenharia Ltda.

artistic intervetion
Ralph Gehre

lighting
Ricardo Heder

photographs
Nelson Kon

general contractor
Termoeste SA