Between blades and gaps: project models in Glulam

Letícia Zampereti, Rafel Nielsen and Vívian Suzuki

The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, and the adoption of renewable materials becomes crucial in the face of the climate emergency. In this context, engineered wood stands out as a viable alternative, incorporating CO₂ into its growth cycle, reducing structural loads, and enabling prefabricated solutions that minimize waste onsite. However, designing with these technologies requires professionals to master specific guidelines, topics still rarely covered in traditional architectural training in Brazil.

The workshop "Entre Laminas e Vais" (Between Blades and Spans) addresses this knowledge gap, encouraging tactile and direct interaction with the material and disseminating concepts for designing timber structures within a Brazilian context. In groups, participants will receive kits containing scaled-down parts to develop a low-complexity architectural project, assisted by architects and engineers specializing in such structures. The process is a collective investigation, in which hypotheses are tested directly during the model's construction process.

Overall, the workshop is an immersive experience that combines technical learning, design practice, and critical reflection on sustainability. Based on the real-world construction possibilities of glued laminated timber (GLT), the activity proposes the creation of physical models as the primary tool for experimenting with and designing timber structures. Thus, the workshop seeks to revive manual practices for learning and applying cutting-edge technology as a contribution to a more sustainable national architecture.

Free
Vacancies: 30

Registration:
Registrations must be made by form available here.
Selection will be made based on the training and professional performance of applicants, forming a diverse group with different experiences.
Registration will be open until September 30th.

Virtual Tour of the 14th BIAsp 

The 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, Extremes: Architectures for a hot world., It has expanded beyond physical space and can now be visited from anywhere! 

The virtual tour offers a new perspective on the exhibition, which took place from September 18th to October 19th at the Oca in Ibirapuera Park, allowing for fluid, free, and intuitive navigation between the different spaces. During the visit, curatorial content, high-definition images, and details that deepen the spatial and conceptual understanding of the artworks are available. 

The platform broadens access, preserves the memory of the Biennial, and creates new ways to experience architecture. 

Visit the 14th BIAsp here!  

Explore at your own pace, revisit routes, and deepen your experiences. 

The virtual tour will soon be available on the IABsp (Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo branch) website.