The Rubem Braga Elevator Complex aims to improve the accessibility conditions for inhabitants of the Cantagalo and Pavao-Pavaozinho communities, located on the Cantagalo hill, in the South of Rio de Janeiro. With a project made by the Brazilian office JBMC Architecture and Urbanism, the elevator goes beyond than just uniting the favel as and the neighborhood of Ipanema.
The Rubem Braga Elevator Complex is a significant infrastructural advancement, seamlessly connecting the hillside communities with the vibrant neighborhood of Ipanema. The complex provides direct access to the General Osorio metro station, integrating the local population with Rio de Janeiro's extensive transportation network and significantly improving mobility.
The complex features two interconnected towers, each equipped with panoramic elevators and staircases that facilitate easy access to the community. A pedestrian footbridge links the towers, enhancing connectivity. The first tower boasts an observation deck, offering stunning views of the iconic Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, making the building not only a vital infrastructural element but also a notable tourist attraction.
The design of the Rubem Braga Elevator Complex was guided by two primary principles: ensuring the stability of the natural slope and minimizing the need for expropriations. Retaining walls were strategically employed to reinforce the hillside's stability, while the pedestrian footbridge was innovatively designed with a single supporting node to minimize its footprint.
In addition to the main structure, the project includes the creation of a public square and the renovation of existing stairways, providing alternative access routes and enhancing the area's public spaces.
The complex is constructed using robust round concrete columns and steel deck slabs. Departing from conventional façade designs, the building features metallic brise-soleil, which promotes natural ventilation and shading. These brise-soleil are aesthetically pleasing, with hues transitioning from blue to green, symbolizing the harmony between the sea and the forest.
Team:
Architect: JBMC Architects
Client: Promon | Rio Trilhos
JBMC Architects team: Beatriz Pimenta Corrêa, Cecilia Pires, Emiliano Homrich, Gabriela Assis and João Batista Martinez Corrêa
Interns: Nádia Ramos and Sandra Morikawa
Contributors: Álvaro Macedo Neto
3D Rendering: Alessio Dionisi
Photography: Celso Brando and JBMC archive
Consultants
Paulo Ricardo Mendes - Structure
Flávio Baraboskin
Detailed Project
Promon Engenharia - Alexandre César, Carlos Fragelli, Daniel Zilberberg, Eduardo Cunha, Fabio Orsini Gloria Ferreira, José Carlos Raup, KonstanzeBevilacqua, Luiz Sozio, Ronaldo Miranda, Silvia Leal and Sylvio Rodrigues
Arqline Arquitetura E Consultoria
