Belo Horizonte, 2024 – In the heart of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (Brazil) the Fólio Building, designed by Gustavo Penna Arquitetos Associados, embodies the connection between architecture and the city, sensitively integrating with its surroundings.

The project establishes a fluid relationship with the street, trees, and vegetation, enhancing urban interaction. At ground level, the building opens to the sidewalk, expanding access and welcoming a front garden. Tropical plant species contrast with the curved shapes of the raw stone facade, clad in Roman travertine marble and bronze-tinted glass frames, creating a composition that balances strength and lightness.

A bronze sculpture by Israel Kinslanky, created specifically for the project, reinforces Fólio’s identity on the façade. Inspired by the shape of a leaf, the piece is the result of a collaboration between the artist and Gustavo Penna, who share the desire to create art in harmony with space.

"The sculpture for the Fólio Building was born from a prompt by GPAA, which proposed the idea of a leaf as the central concept of the project. I come from a background focused on the human figure, so it was fascinating to dive into the organic forms of nature, which bring their own sensuality and engage with sculpture. We conducted numerous studies until arriving at the final form, which was created exclusively for the building and cast in bronze using the lost-wax process, an ancient method. The collaborative process with GPAA is intense and full of exchanges. The firm values the sensitivity of each artist and creates space for the sculpture to integrate with the architecture. The building's very structure invites artistic creation; the space for the piece is there, making the process fluid and inspiring", says Israel Kinslanky.

The party and leisure areas, surrounded by trees and greenery, are located on the street level near the main entrance. The sloping terrain was used to incorporate the garages, which span two levels. The building’s leisure and communal areas are surrounded by vegetation, connecting with the urban environment and creating a welcoming space.

Taking advantage of the terrain's topography, the garages were set in two levels, preserving the flow of access. Inspired by the typical layout of a home, Fólio’s floors were designed to offer freedom in daily flows, with independent pathways connecting social, private, and service areas.This layout allows interior spaces to be configured according to each family's dynamic, while the generous spaces encourage interaction. The Fólio facade is marked by openings that balance light and privacy. Bedrooms positioned for morning light, living rooms with south-facing views, and a service structure facing west create an architectural play that interacts with the sun and landscape, providing comfort and preserving residents privacy.

Team: 

Architect: Gustavo Penna Arquitetos Associados

Photographer: Jomar Braganca