Santa Marta Center

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

Santa Marta Center

Carvalho Terra Arquitetos

COLLABORATORS
Eduardo Carvalho, Matheus Santos, Thawany Silva

PROGRAM
Edifício educacional que inclui bloco administrativo (salas de trabalho, reunião e atendimento), bloco educacional (salas de aula, sanitários, sala dos professores, parquinhos e quadra poliesportiva), bloco de apoio (refeitório, cozinhas, almoxarifado, depósitos, sanitários funcionários e áreas técnicas) e praças cobertas e descobertas de convívio.

ARQUITETOS LÍDERES
Carina Terra, Bruno Carvalho

PHOTOGRAPHS
Manuel Sá

AREA
21527 ft²

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Campo Grande, Brazil

CATEGORY
Schools

Text description provided by architect.

The Santa Marta Center was created in 1962 by the initiative of mothers of students from the Santa Maria School together with the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

The institution promotes the reception, coexistence and learning of families in vulnerable situations, contributing to their training, access and permanence in the job market. The activities are carried out by volunteers and Sisters, with the support of staff.

For more than 60 years, its headquarters have been located in an old stable at the back of the school grounds. In 2012, the first studies for an extension were carried out. In 2014, emergency renovations were carried out in order to avoid discontinuing activities.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

In 2020, a multidisciplinary team was organized to draw up the Needs Programme. Construction began in 2022, with inauguration in 2024. Services were not interrupted during construction.

Its headquarters are located on a large plot of land in the southern part of the city of São Paulo, high above a valley with permanently preserved woodland, springs and a stream. Since it was impossible to use the existing buildings, new ones were built.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

However, the past was not forgotten: 900 clay bricks were selected to build a wall of memories and a showcase was proposed in front of it to exhibit the students' work.

In this way, past and present form the gateway to the new complex. The proposal was based on the creation of spaces integrated with nature, respecting the natural profile of the land in order to avoid major earth movements and the possible removal of existing trees, the use of natural lighting and ventilation and the collection and reuse of rainwater.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

To this end, the program was divided into blocks laid out in clearings and places where there were already small buildings.

The horizontality and organization in blocks respects the historical scale of the buildings and guarantees accessibility to the whole.

The flows seek to maximize encounters in order to enhance views of the valley and promote interaction between people, the environment and learning.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

A central square was proposed to house collective activities and function as a space for integrating the different uses proposed by the institution.

The square is organized based on the location of centenary trees, where an amphitheatre made up of bleachers has been proposed to contemplate nature.

Four blocks are based on this configuration: Block 1 houses the women's training rooms, Block 2 houses administrative uses, Block 3 caters for children and adolescents and Block 4 houses adult care and support such as a cafeteria, storage rooms and a staff area.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá

A network of squares and paths provide opportunities to meet, in addition to those proposed in the Needs Program. The Welcome Square is made up of benches and planters.

The Integration Square uses the shade of a large tree as a space for socializing. The children's block is surrounded by play areas and a multi-sports court.

Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá


Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá


Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá


Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá
Santa Marta Center
© Manuel Sá


Santa Marta Center
Corte AA
Santa Marta Center
Corte BB
Santa Marta Center
Corte CC
Santa Marta Center
Corte DD


Santa Marta Center
Planta - Térreo
Santa Marta Center
Planta - Subsolo
Santa Marta Center
Planta - Cobertura


Santa Marta Center
Axonométrica

Santa Marta Center
Implantação