Project by Königsberger Vannucchi in partnership with Porte brings together a corporate tower, residential tower, and commercial base on a strategic block in Tatuapé, just minutes from the metro
The recently completed Metria 624 is a mixed-use development resulting from the partnership between Königsberger Vannucchi and Porte, just like Platina 220 and Almagah 227. The three projects are part of the Platina Axis, a new centrality in Tatuapé, in the East Zone of the City of São Paulo. The Platina Axis is an urban design proposal conceived by Königsberger Vannucchi together with Porte Engenharia e Urbanismo, which seeks to articulate the developer's projects in the region into a qualified axis with diversified activities, contributing to planned urban transformation. Metria 624 is composed of a corporate tower and a residential tower juxtaposed, and a commercial base, with a strong connection to the sidewalk — as is characteristic of the Axis projects — which has been highly successful in creating synergy of uses, urban vitality, and "eyes on the street."
The development houses three complementary uses: residential, corporate, and commercial. The organization of the building seeks not only to resolve but to harmoniously highlight this multiplicity of uses, to which a fourth category could also be added: urban equipment. "It was a project designed simultaneously from the inside out and from the outside in," explains architect Luciano Lima, Project Manager at Königsberger Vannucchi.
Strategic Siting and Urban Integration
Metria 624 occupies most of the block between Vilela, Platina, and Praça Barão de Itaqui streets. Two of the other three corners formed by Vilela and Platina streets are occupied by the Chrona 665 and Geon 652 buildings, which are also part of the Platina Axis. This proximity relationship was taken into consideration when defining Metria's siting, along with factors such as: solar orientation, views of interest, sources of noise pollution, and the relationship between accesses for the different uses.
In the initial studies, siting options were evaluated with separate buildings and with predominant north-south or east-west orientation. The decision was for grouped uses with east-facing views for the corporate use and west-facing for the residential use. The grouping of the building generated more free spaces within the lot and a stronger volumetric presence. With this orientation, the more direct exposure of residential units to the noise of Radial Leste was avoided, and a broader view was guaranteed for these units, taking advantage of the setback of the building itself and the square. From the standpoint of composition with the surrounding buildings, a slab perpendicular to the volumetry of Geon 652 was created.
"In a mixed-use project of this proportion, siting and the articulation between uses, with attention to flows and distinct needs, is a primordial part of the design process," emphasizes Luciano Lima. "We had to manage to coordinate these three uses on that lot, which is almost an entire block, harmoniously."
Juxtaposed Towers and Functional Independence
Operationally, the typical floors function as two totally independent and twinned buildings. The residential building has 19 typical floors with a floor-to-floor height of 3.06 m plus a leisure floor of 3.24 m on the rooftop. The corporate building has 24 typical floors with 510 m² slabs, which can be subdivided into two 255 m² units with a floor-to-floor height of 3.60 m, plus a duplex unit with two floors of the same height. All circulations and installations are totally independent.
The unconventional distribution of openings gives the tower a unique identity. The ventilated façade closures and the use of high-performance glass give Metria 624 a contemporary language and ensure energy efficiency.
The positioning of the air-conditioning technical areas of the corporate building meets a functional demand, but its dark vertical grille also plays a compositional role: it visually divides the two towers, reinforcing the individual reading of each volume and contributing so that the difference in floor-to-floor height between the two programs does not create noise in the façade reading.
"The uses are totally separated internally, but they are juxtaposed in their volume. This juxtaposition proved to be correct because, besides resulting in an interesting volume, it showed that it was not necessary to blend the visual, but rather to reinforce the difference between the uses," explains architect Liliana Vergamini Luna de Sá, Operations Director at Königsberger Vannucchi.
The residential tower has 19 floors with studio units of 30 m² and 37 m². The elevated leisure area, above the base, is at the height of the treetops of Praça Barão de Itaqui and offers a complete leisure program with a pool, barbecue, and vegetable garden, integrated with a floor with amenities such as a laundry, meeting and event spaces, among others. The top floor of the tower is occupied by a gym and a bar that enjoy the city view.
"All the leisure was conceived thinking about this young audience. There is a very well-resolved conviviality space on the second floor, which opens exactly to the treetops. That was the intention: a leisure area that would take advantage of the existing greenery — and the result was faithful to what we had imagined," says Liliana.
Commercial Base and Urban Vitality
The commercial base of the complex is extremely important for integrating the project with its surroundings and the Platina Axis. The design of the base is integrated with that of the juxtaposed towers, while at the same time mediating between the scale of the large development and the pedestrian scale. The shape of the base follows the urban design and complements it, in a relationship between solids and voids, with landscaping being a fundamental element in this transition.
The base occupies most of the lot, and within it the uses are organized horizontally. The second floor has corporate units and most of the residential leisure program, including outdoor pools. The first floor, which has completely independent access from the others, has a floor-to-floor height of 4.86 m and was initially conceived for non-graded educational use. On the ground level, the accesses for all uses are organized, along with 8 stores totaling more than 2,000 m².
The volumetries of the different uses were organized thinking about the whole and the relationship between the parts. Thus, the prismatic corporate volume received a darker and more uniform treatment, adjusting the colors of the ventilated façade and the glass. In contrast, the residential use was treated with lighter bands, which create the sensation of diluting the volumetry of the corporate building. This band solution extends throughout the 1st floor and the volumetry of the stores. The use of ventilated façades was important for the façade composition, as it allowed alignment with the frames of the corporate building, similar to what one would have with a glass skin, and because it maintains apparent modulations even on the blind faces. On the other hand, it also allowed the white bands to be built on planes detached from the structure, without the need for infill.
At the ground level, the storefronts of the shops were set back in relation to the plane of the intermediate floor, which receives mezzanines and raised platforms from the stores. This resource widens the sidewalk and creates a covered passage for all pedestrians, in addition to configuring an elevated space suitable for installing air-conditioning equipment.
The entire siting of the building was also planned to generate the largest possible free space next to the main access, on Vilela Street. The main body of the building maintains a pronounced setback in relation to the sidewalk, and only one store stands out. This volume received a treatment distinct from the base, in order to preserve the reading of the proposed planes — an operation similar to the one adopted in the diametrically opposite quadrant, facing the square.
The ground-floor accesses are articulated in an integrated manner: the access to the commercial building connects internally to the residential one, and there is also an independent access for the first floor. This configuration allows pedestrians to move through the development from the inside, passing through the stores, reaching the internal square next to the residential access, and returning to Platina Street, creating a continuous and permeable flow between the different uses and the public space.
Sustainability and AQUA Certification
The project received the AQUA seal for the corporate tower, which means that measures were adopted for rational energy and water consumption. Concerns about reducing consumption and saving guided the project beyond the certification requirements.
The landscaping uses native species, which means that the vegetation is more adapted to the local climate and fauna, coherent with the existing vegetation in the squares and streets of the region, and requiring less water consumption and maintenance effort. Part of the development's water supply will be provided by a well on the lot itself, approved and authorized by the competent authorities, and also by rainwater reuse, which will be treated on site. The excess rainwater will be retained for the necessary time, helping to prevent flooding in the area.
The use of ventilated façades combined with the use of glass with low heat transmission rates reduces heat gain on the corporate slab, reducing energy consumption. These slabs are also integrated with covered terraces, which allows the use of natural ventilation as an alternative to air conditioning.
The building's location itself is a sustainability factor, as it is less than a 5-minute walk from Carrão metro station and less than 15 minutes from Tatuapé station, which also provides access to two metropolitan train lines, and next to bus corridors. In addition, there is a bike rack with capacity for 91 bicycles and male and female locker rooms, allowing even occasional visitors to use this mode of transportation. Radial Leste has a bike lane, and the neighborhood streets are flat and wide, facilitating use by cyclists.
Impact for the Region
The East region of São Paulo is home to 4.3 million inhabitants, corresponding to 34% of the city's population, but offers only 8% of jobs. This reality generates millions of daily commutes from the region toward other sectors of the city, especially the Center and West and South Zones. This situation is the result of various factors, but developments such as Metria 624, Almagah 227, and Platina 220, designed by Königsberger Vannucchi for the Platina Axis, contribute to fostering a new reality by allowing companies of various scales to establish themselves with infrastructure as adequate as that existing in neighborhoods with more consolidated economic activity.
This can stimulate the emergence of new centralities, activating the local economy, encouraging population densification near areas rich in employment, education, and services. The proximity of this enormous human potential to their workplaces allows people to have more comfort and less time spent commuting, generating more productivity and more human development.
"Metria emerged when the Platina Axis was already more consolidated. It is a project that we propose looking at the street, looking at the space that is already being qualified and that people are already enjoying. I think that is a great difference from doing a mixed-use project that sometimes has a central square where we aggregate the gaze and look inward. Here it is not — Metria has a lot of that, of being able to look outward," concludes Liliana.
About Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetos Associados
For 54 years, we have developed architecture and planning projects based on a collaborative, forward-looking, and culturally responsible approach.
Over these five decades, we have created, together with our clients, emblematic buildings and urban spaces in Brazil’s most important cities. Our contemporary architecture responds to the challenges of its time, identifying transformations and reinventing itself with each new cycle.
For us, design is a collective act. Through a diverse, talented, and experienced team, we develop spaces that seek to respond today to the needs of tomorrow.
We continually invest in innovation and combine it with our commitment to technical excellence in order to deliver assets of high economic and cultural value.
Partners
Jorge Königsberger holds a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from FAU Mackenzie 1971. He served as a professor at FAU FAAP and FAU Mackenzie and was director of the Institute of Architects of Brazil IAB SP and president of the Brazilian Association of Architecture Firms AsBEA.
Gianfranco Vannucchi holds a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from FAU USP 1975. He served as president of the Brazilian Association of Architecture Firms AsBEA and of the Association of Friends of the Museu da Casa Brasileira AAMCB. He was also a board member of the São Paulo Biennial Foundation.
Daniel Toledo holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo 2009. He joined Königsberger Vannucchi in 2013 and became a partner in 2016. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the regional chapter of CVU (formerly CTBUH), a member of the Advisory Committee of AsBEA/BR, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Civil Construction Club.
METRIA 624
Location: Rua Vilela 624, Tatuapé, São Paulo - SP
Lot area: 4,039.72 m²
Total built area: 39,390.44 m²
Residential private area: 7,011.76 m²
Corporate private area: 14,898.47 m²
Store area: 2,207.79
Project Period: 2017-2021
Construction Period: 2021-2026
Residential Building:
19 typical floors with floor-to-floor height of 3.06 m with 12 studio units (8 of 29.30 m², 2 of 31.43 m², and 2 of 35.90 m²)
Leisure floor with 3.24 m on the rooftop
Corporate Building:
1st floor with 1,841.30 m² and floor-to-floor height of 4.86 m
24 typical floors with floor-to-floor height of 3.60 m, with two 255 m² units
One duplex unit on the rooftop, with two floors with floor-to-floor heights of 3.60 m and 623.91 m²
Stores: 8 stores
Ground Floor and Basements:
Independent but connected accesses for Corporate uses 2nd to 26th floor, 1st Floor, and Residential
3 basements with 331 parking spaces and bike rack
Architecture: Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetos Associados
Authors: Jorge Königsberger, Gianfranco Vannucchi
Co-authors: Liliana Vergamini Luna de Sá, Alexis Aldrovandi, Luciano Lima, Junior Faria
Team: Claudio Inserra, Thawan Trigo, Julio Sartori, Mayra Rolim, Caio Morenghi, Mima Krupuskaya, Weber Leite, Thais Bombonati, Hanna Luxo, Allan Martino, Flavio Faggion, Carla Estrella (Technical Director), Daniel Toledo (Executive Director)
Photography: Pedro Vannucchi
Video: Pedro Vannucchi and Alex Silva
Development and Construction: Porte Engenharia e Urbanismo
CONSULTANTS:
Accessibility: Elisa Prado Arquitetura e Acessibilidade
Acoustics: Akkerman Alcoragi
Anchoring: PB Soluções em Sistemas de Ancoragem
Air conditioning: Thermoplan
Interior Architecture: Pitá Arquitetura
Automation: Jugend
AQUA Certification: CTE
Visual Communication: Porú
Environmental Comfort: CTE
Elevator consulting: Marco Borba
Garage consulting: Estapar / Michel Sola
Legal project consulting: Urben Arquitetura
Project coordination: Sena
Drainage/Gas/Hydrosanitary; Electrical/Telecommunications; SPDA (Lightning Protection System): Projetar Engenharia de Projetos
Aluminum frames: P Martins Engenharia
Metallic structure: Steel Make Engenharia Estrutural
Structure: Ávila Engenharia de Estruturas
Ventilated façades: Favegrup
Foundations: Consultrix
Waterproofing: Imper Solutions
Irrigation: Irrigamatic
Lighting design: Mingrone Iluminação
Building Operation: Geiah
Landscaping: Tagu
Paving: LPE Engenharia
Reuse: Acquabrasilis Meio Ambiente
Fire safety: Engepoint
Property security: Marcy José de Campos Verde
Soil testing: Engesolos
Topography: Topografia.com
Partitions: Addor
SUPPLIERS:
Electrical Finish; Booster Pumps; Power Generator; Pool/Reflecting Pool/Fountain (Pumps and Filters); Electrical Panels; Gas Installation System; Hydrosanitary System; Water Pressurization System; Fire Prevention and Fighting System; Fire Prevention and Fighting System (Equipment); Lightning Protection System (SPDA); Electrical System: Sanhidrel Engekit Instalações e Comércio
Collective TV Antenna; Structured Cabling; Telephony Installation; Intercom Installation; Biometric Reading; Electronic Gates (Automation); Fire Detection System; Security System; Telecommunications System: Build Instalações e Serviços
Air Conditioning: Thermoplan Engenharia Térmica
Fiber Water Tank: Novafibras Comércio Produtos Fiberglass
Ceramics and Their Industrial Products (floors): Cerâmica Portobello
Stainless Steel Sinks: Tramontina Sudeste
Elevators; Lift Platform: Thyssenkrupp
Aluminum Frames/Windows: Prismatech Indústria e Comércio de Esquadrias de Alumínio
Wood Frames/Windows: Pormade Portas de Madeiras Decorativas
Metallic Structure: Cobercvikas Fast Prestadora de Serviços
Ventilated Façade: Favegrup - Faveton Brasil Comércio, Importação e Exportação
Acoustic Ceilings; Gypsum Ceiling; Drywall Partitions: Isar Engenharia e Isar Isolamentos
Waterproofing: Imperfox Impermeabilização
Sanitary Ware and Metals: Docol Indústria e Comércio
Owner's Manual: Guiaire
Freight Elevator: Alfabra
Internal Paintings; External Paintings: Fmg Pinturas e Revestimentos
Porcelain Tile - Corporate building and base façade (dark gray): Laminam
Porcelain Tile - Residential building and base façade (light gray): Eliane
Fire Door: Assa Abloy Brasil
Grout/Mortars: Jofege Mix, Saint-Gobain do Brasil Produtos Industriais e Para Construção e Votorantim Cimentos
Metalwork: Max Fer Esquadrias
Water Heating System: Aquatherm Serviços e Instalações
Air Conditioning and Mechanical Exhaust System; Air Conditioning System (Mechanical Ventilation); Staircase Pressurization System: Conforto Serviços e Instalações Empresariais
Automatic Irrigation System: Irrigamatic
Glass (corporate building): Cebrace BRN130 Semi-reflective silver
Glass for the development supplied by Space Glass
