Königsberger Vannucchi Architects

Oca

Oca
© Gal Oppido

OCA

Königsberger Vannucchi

CATEGORY
Pavilion

LOCATION
Sao Paulo, Brazil

YEAR
2004

ARCHITECTS
Königsberger Vannucchi

PHOTOGRAPHS
Gal Oppido

Text description provided by architect.

The "Oca" was developed as a temporary pavilion for the event "Resistance and Tradition", which was part of the World Cultural Forum that took place in São Paulo in 2004. As a center of discussion about Brazil's indigenous culture, it sheltered many ceremonies and meetings of representatives from the country's various native communities.

Oca
© Gal Oppido
Oca
© Gal Oppido

Inspired by the typology of traditional indigenous houses - from which the "Oca" derives its name -, the project references typical elements of the native architecture, such as the zenithal illumination and the high level of transparency of the building.

However, it does so in a respectful manner without intending to be a mere literal reproduction of said architecture, through the use of contemporary elements such as galvanized steel boards. Alas, not only its form but also its structural design and building method were also based in the wooden frame of typical indigenous ocas.

Oca
© Gal Oppido
Oca
© Gal Oppido

The site is divided by two circles that mark the event's different gathering spaces. The first is represented by the oca, which symbolizes the indigenous house.

The other one is a simple earth circle surrounded by wooden totems with the same diameter as the oca, which symbolizes the space for rituals and festivities that occur in the middle of a "taba", or indigenous village.

Oca
© Gal Oppido


Oca
Plan
Oca
Plan


Oca
Elevation
Oca
Section

Königsberger Vannucchi Architects
T +55 11 23487275
Königsberger Vannucchi Architects
Av. Engenheiro Luís Carlos Berrini, 1461 - Brooklin Novo, São Paulo - SP, 04571-011, Brazil