Office with a false facade

How do you build a new commercial building while keeping the character of the old city?

This project highlights the preserved historic facade, in keeping with the style and scale of the surrounding buildings. The new structure tries to stay out of the spotlight: the architecture is functional, and the fiber-cement cladding is Swisspearl Largo in soft colors. It's deliberately understated so that the facade preserved in front of it stands out and keeps the traditional character of the street.

The Blumenthal Building office complex in São Paulo, Brazil. Architects: Kruchin Arquitetura.

A nominee in the «Office Buildings» and «Renovation» categories at ArchDaily’s 2021 Building of the Year Awards.