Vanguarda

IDEIA1

Short description

Located in Parque Una, a planned neighborhood in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, the Vanguarda building was conceived to integrate architecture, culture, and nature. Designed for commercial use, the project is anchored by a partnership with a traditional Pelotas bookstore that gives the building its name, bringing a strong cultural identity to the emerging urban fabric.
With a simple volumetric composition, the building seeks alignment with the scale of its surroundings, establishing a harmonious relationship with the adjacent structures. Resting on a commercial base facing the street, the upper portion is composed of three stacked volumes with decreasing heights, forming a large horizontal mass. The distinction between these blocks is emphasized by different facade treatments and recessed joints that reinforce their separation.
A key compositional gesture is the setback of the top volume, which is recessed from the lower floors, creating a generous terrace with open views of the park and defining the building's crown.
The program was designed as a cultural path. On the ground floor, retail spaces line the sidewalk, with the largest unit occupied by Livraria Vanguarda. Adjacent to the main entrance, the “Sala dos Escritores” (Writer’s Room) functions as a lobby, exhibition space, and thematic memorial. This level also includes technical areas and access to the parking garage.
On the upper floors, commercial units ranging from 28 sq ft to 54 sq ft are distributed along the building. From the 4th to the 11th floor, the first two volumes are defined; in between, an intermediate floor contains units with balconies overlooking the park. The 12th floor houses additional units and a cultural space with meeting rooms and a public rooftop terrace. The 13th and 14th floors follow the same modular logic of the lower commercial levels, maintaining flexibility and structural continuity.
The facade is designed with a modular and rational approach, lending sobriety to the overall composition. The interplay of solid and void, highlighted by dark-toned frames and recessed sills, creates rhythm and elegance while preserving the purity of the volumetric form. The base, treated with a darker finish, contrasts with the lighter-toned upper volumes.
The window design allows for modular combinations of units, enabling flexible layouts. This is supported by the strategic placement of the wet columns, arranged in mirrored pairs to optimize internal distribution.
Vanguarda aims to establish itself as a symbol of modernity and functionality within the urban context of Pelotas — a landmark in the transformation of the neighborhood and the city.