debaixo do bloco completes são paulo art gallery with façade of precast concrete blocks

brazilian architecture office debaixo do bloco has completed the new space of galeria almeida prado in são paulo‘s jardins district. occupying a narrow plot of 13 meters long by 4,5 meters wide, the gallery building establishes communication with the street in front of it and stands out through precast concrete blocks that cover its entire façade together with plenty of vegetation on its side wall and roof.

all images by joana frança

tasked with the transfer of galeria almeida prado from brasília to são paulo, debaixo do bloco has created a cozy space where art pieces can be displayed as if they were in the owner’s house. the building is split in two main levels for exhibiting works, and terrace with a small free area, a bathroom, and an office that can turn into a café in the future. separated from the main façade, this space is clad in cobogos, which serve to highlight the volume while referencing the residential projects of brasília where this feature was widely used.

a central staircase leads visitors from one floor to the next, made with plaques supported by a central beam. on the second floor it gains an additional functionality, where, clad in yellow curtain screens, it serves as a surface to display artworks. a large window on this floor functions as a showcase and creates communication between the street and the internal space of the gallery. done in collaboration with fabio almeida prado, the interiors are defined by colors that reference the gallery’s brand: yellow, black and gray. instead of using nails, frames are hung using suspended chains to allow them to be displayed in different heights without damaging the walls.

project info:

name: gallery 11 six 1

architect: debaixo do bloco arquitetura

lead architect: clay rodrigues

in collaboration with: fábio almeida prado

location: jardins, são paulo, brazil

total floor area: 180 m²