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.

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (27.09):

10:30 am to 8:30 pm – SP Meeting Forum

4:00 PM – Launch of the book Collective Housing: BR/NL

IN THE NEXT DAYS (28.09 to 03.10)

28.09 – SP Meeting Forum

28.09 – workshops First Half and CLIMATIVA: Climate Action Plan for Brazilian cities

28.09 – 4th Jewelry Festival in the Jewel Park and activity Bixiga River Territory reforests Canudos in Horta Denuzia

September 29th to October 3rd – workshop Embodied landscapes

September 30th and October 2nd – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

30.09 – Guided tour of Pantanal Action

10/1 – conference Means of production with Jane Hall

10/1 and 2/2 – session 4 and session 5 of the show Cinema, architecture and society at the cinematheque

01.10 – workshop Between blades and gaps: project models in Glulam

01.10 – workshop Grammars of Nature – architectures of the infinitesimal at the Living Lab

02.10 – movie The Strength of Form – bent lenticular beam in wood at IABsp

02.10 – Amerindian Farms in Oca. Amazonia from the Margins to the Extremes: Labya-Yala of FAU-USP

02.10 – tables Preserving biodiversity in the city + Trees and Thermal Justice

03.10 – tables Housing policies for the homeless population and the experience of the FICA Fund + Innovating the Regularization of Affordable Housing + Cultural facilities in adapted historic buildings

03.10 – Workshop on Designing Wooden Structures with Fiber at IABsp

03.10 – Visit to Morro Grande Park

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

And there's much more until October 19th!

(Activities and projects are still being added; the site will be complete soon)

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.