UNE Building by GUIMATTOS

_project: UNE Building
_architecture: GUIMATTOS
_location: São Paulo, Brazil

The office building known as UNE, conceived by architect Gui Mattos, serves as a compelling example of how innovative and careful planning can meet the unique needs of office architecture. One of the most compelling aspects of the project is the architect's approach to the challenges and demands of designing an office building that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

"Among many challenges, perhaps the greatest was how to deal with the scale of the building. The idea was to make it lighter, more friendly to the neighborhood," says Gui. To address this, he conceptualized a "free-standing" ground floor and incorporated the idea of a lateral and frontal plaza that blurs the boundary between the inside and the outside.

Flexibility is another critical element that the UNE building captures. According to Gui, "The flexibility of spaces was achieved through a rational and simple structure. Two bi-supported blades in their shortest section, connected by walkways." The design also accommodates double-height floors, structurally prepared for mezzanine expansion. This creates a dynamic work environment adaptable to various needs.

Local context and cultural influences also played a significant role in the project's design. "We sought to work with natural materials on the floors closer to pedestrians, like the treated eucalyptus logs used for the garage's side closure," Gui explains. This approach brings the building closer to the vernacular architecture and the local neighborhood vibe. In addition, large, gardened side grilles function as sunscreens for the rising and setting sun, balancing the building's rationality with an element of natural beauty. "A generous rooftop garden serves as a crowning element, a solution that seemed to contribute to the deconstruction of the building's scale," adds Gui.

The UNE building is more than just an office space; it is a seamless blend of form and function, drawing upon innovative architectural solutions and cultural influences to create a workplace that is adaptable, user-friendly, and harmonious with its surroundings.

_article written by Daniela Moreira Silva
_film by Architecture Hunter 
_cover image by Fernando Guerra
_drawings by GUIMATTOS:

1. Implantation

2. Underground Plant

3. Ground Floor Plan

4. Type Plant

5. Mezzanine Type Plant

6. Longitudinal Cut

7. Cross Section

8. Diagram 1

9. Diagram 2

10. Diagram 3

11. Diagram 4