Glass South America 2024

_event: Glass South America 2024
_location: São Paulo, Brazil
_special thanks: NürnbergMesse Brasil

Glass has long been a fundamental element in architecture, with its transparency, versatility, and aesthetic appeal transforming buildings and spaces. Contemporary architects continue to push the boundaries of this material, utilizing innovative glass technologies to create dynamic facades, sustainable solutions, and immersive environments. This exploration of glass not only enhances the visual impact of structures but also contributes to energy efficiency and environmental integration. Events like Glass South America are crucial in showcasing these advancements and fostering discussions on the future of glass in architecture.

Glass South America, held in São Paulo, is a premier International Design and Technology in Glass event. This year Architecture Hunter was a partner, curating a lineup of influential speakers to inspire and inform attendees. Insights on the selection criteria and the themes that shaped the event were shared by the team involved in the curation process.

When discussing the experience in curating speakers, the team emphasized the importance of looking beyond professional achievements: "One of the first things we considered in the speaker curation was something beyond their professional output and what they produce. We focused on a personal connection, understanding the collaborative spirit these studios have, and their willingness to share knowledge with the architectural community. This enriches everyone and elevates the entire field."

About the selection of ateliers, the criteria included seeking studios with existing relationships, beyond just knowing their work. The goal was to create a lineup that made sense for the Brazilian reality in two main aspects: inspiration and practical applicability. This involved bringing in people doing incredibly different things to open minds, and at the same time, choosing those whose practices could be adapted to the socio-economic and cultural conditions of Brazil.

Specific examples were highlighted: "For instance, Roxanne from SAOTA presented many incredible residential projects using glass, which aligns with the architectural landscape in Brazil, where residential projects are more prevalent than institutional ones. On the other hand, Juan from Zaha Hadid Architects brought highly inspirational work that would open minds here. Isaac Safdie’s work spans both institutional and residential projects, including a college project in Brazil, making his perspective very relevant."

The careful balance of international inspiration and practical relevance made the curation a success, offering attendees a comprehensive view of how glass can transform architecture both globally and locally.

_article written by Daniela Moreira Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter
_produced by Leonardo Dahia
_directed by Dudu Linhares
_editing by Rafael Guerra
_sound by Vinicius Rodrigues
_image scroll courtesy of NürnbergMesse Brasil