The interior of the country is attracting developments with a focus on urban aspects, which favor open spaces and promote urban kindness, such as Ícone Planeta, by Königsberger Vannucchi for Construtora Planeta

Ícone Planeta, a new high-end residential development designed by Königsberger Vannucchi for Construtora Planeta, has been built in the southern area of Sorocaba, in the interior of São Paulo. With more than 22,000 m² of built area and a single 141-meter-high tower, the residential building, the tallest in the interior of Brazil, was erected after 37 months of construction, a record time for a project of this size.

With a history of technically challenging urban impact projects in major centres, Königsberger Vannucchi's portfolio, built over 52 years of existence, includes buildings that have accredited it for the Ícone project. In 2022, the firm signed the Platina 220 project, currently the tallest building in the city of São Paulo and a landmark in the creation of a new urban axis in the East Zone of São Paulo. He is also responsible for projects such as Brascan Century Plaza, Stadium Alphaville and Curitiba Universe - marked by their mixed-use architecture - and which, through their implementation, qualify the relationship with the urban context.

Initially, the project for Ícone Planeta was to be designed at a height of approximately 80 metres. However, after carefully analysing the characteristics of the site and the product, as well as intense interaction between the office and the client throughout the process, the desire arose to create an icon that would challenge traditional vertical limits, becoming a reference in the city. "In our design process, interaction with the client is fundamental. We believe that this is how the best solutions emerge for the project, built with four hands, and Ícone Planeta is a great example of this," says Alexandre Daud, Associate Director of Königsberger Vannucchi.

The architectural configuration is staggered along the height of the building. With a triangular layout of three flats per floor, the building integrates harmoniously into the angled terrain, providing unobstructed views, lighting and cross-ventilation for all the apartments. The result is a unique volumetry that can be seen from different vantage points in Sorocaba and the surrounding area.

The large terraces and windows positioned at the vertices of the "triangle" contrast with the surfaces of the bedroom façades, emphasising the striking grid of the building's structure and adding lightness to the whole. The project is characterised by the minimal use of walls and railings, resulting in a large garden open to the city, thus promoting urban gentleness. "There is a very pleasant relationship between the pedestrian and the glazed lobby, enhanced by the relationship with the green of nature. We don't need to build cities with grids. The separation between public and private is resolved with architectural solutions that take advantage of the building's position on the plot and the topography of the land," says Daud.

The structure was one of the challenges faced, not only because of its imposing height, but also because of the building's unique slenderness. The project underwent a rigorous wind tunnel test, which determined the building's wind loads and stresses. The solution, proposed by the engineers responsible for the structural calculation, envisaged thick concrete walls forming a central core in the building, also used for vertical circulation, supported by a robust foundation, a large block of 1,600 cubic metres of concrete, guaranteeing the building's stability. The communal areas have been strategically positioned on high floors, providing breathtaking views of the city. The Sky Health Club & Spa, located on the 21st floor, offers facilities such as a massage and hydrotherapy room, while the Sky Lounge & Gourmet, located on the 29th floor, provides an exclusive environment for residents.

As a differential, the development features a concierge with delivery service, a hall with independent social and service entrances, parking spaces for visitors, photovoltaic energy for the leisure area, LED lighting in the shared areas and a rainwater reuse system for washing and irrigation taps.

The stairwells' night lighting, powered by a system of photovoltaic panels, not only reinforces the building's striking presence in the city, but also enhances the surrounding landscaping and provides safety and comfort on public pavements. "The idea is for the Ícone Planeta to be a real beacon for the city, a point of reference for the people of Sorocaba and even for helicopters and aeroplanes, which have no route in the vicinity of the building, but can be located at night with this lighting," explains Ricardo Guimarães, chairman of the board of Construtora Planeta.

Team:
Architecture and Landscaping: Königsberger Vannucchi 
Co-authors: Jorge Königsberger - Gianfranco Vannucchi - Alexandre Daud - Claudio Inserra - Carla Estrella   
Team: Daniel Ferrer - Ana Peral - Cesar Marques - Monique Genari - Henrique Malvone - Luiza Parreira - Breno Veiga - Caio Nunes - Karina Godois 
Executive Director: Daniel Toledo 
Development and Construction: Construtora Planeta   
Structure: França & Associados  
Building Installations: SKK Engenharia  
Foundations: Consultrix  
Lifts: Atlas  
Façade Consultancy: The.Eng  
Structural Consultancy: PBC Engenharia  
Acoustic Consultancy: Audium  
Interior Architecture: Simone Guimarães Arquiteta e Associados 

Material Used:
Main suppliers:   
1. Structure: JRNS   
2. Frames: Bimetal  
3. Concrete: Supermix  
4. Masonry: Technologys  
5. Paints: Coral e Suvinil  
6. Glass: Tempermax  
7. Ceramic flooring: Eliane  
8. Vinyl flooring: Eucatex