estúdio chão utilizes scaffolding to build temporary structures for festival in rio de janeiro

estúdio chão has conceived and designed a series of temporary structures for the ‘conexidade occupation’ in rio de janeiro‘s praça XV square. during the event, which was located in the center of the city, the site was host to a weekend of cultural and educational activities in the fields of art, sport and technology. the architectural interventions created by the team provided a series of spaces including the main stage, dining area and chill-out zones. 

the main stage structure

the architecture was developed by estúdio chão in close collaboration with the festival itself in order to create spaces in cohesion with the program of activities. the concept behind the project was based on the idea of providing shelter for the varying events while forming a dialogue with the urban context. with this in mind, the structures were conceived as ‘an ephemeral citadel superimposed on the square’, making reference to the landmarks on the site, such as the master valentin fountain, ferry station and the olympic boulevard.

scaffolding and greenhouse screening provides seating for the food area

the temporary structures were all built using scaffolding to house the diversity of activities such as concerts, lectures, workshops, street performances and skateboarding. at night, LED tubes lit up the spaces, providing a different atmosphere for evening events, while water sprinklers were also incorporated to provide relief from the hot rio weather. 

the dining area structure

lightweight overlays and closures such as the greenhouse shading screens were designed to soften the strong summer sun while enhancing the architectural language of the scaffolding. the same system was used as a support for furniture and meetings, living and play areas. designed as an invitation to enjoy and celebrate the occupation of the square, the architecture served as a potent catalyst for encounters of urban life. a collective expression of the street, about the street, in the street. 

chill-out structure made from scaffolding and greenhouse screening, including seating

hammocks are especially made for the structure while the light design is all made of LED tubes

arenas built for hosting workshops and lectures throughout the whole day, open to everyone

ephemeral installations spread throughout the entire plaza, interacting with street vendors

the arenas incorporate water sprinklers to cool down

the hammock installation transforms at night by water sprinklers for refreshment due to rio’s high summer temperatures

children’s rope maze installation

digital screen installations are used throughout the whole site

the main stage structure at night, the light design is formed from LED tubes

project info:

project name: ‘conexidade occupation’

location: praça XV, rio de janeiro, brazil

project and construction: 2018

built area: 20,500 m2 

design and development: estúdio chão + antoine olivier

project team: flávia castro, jacqueline dos prazeres, laís antunes, luiza peixoto

realization: RDN_rio business, diogo castelão

structural project / structure rental: layher, eliseu lopes, peter coitus

structure contractor: prumoflex engineering, janaim fonseca rogério custódio

light design: company’s, luz gabriel, farinon caesar

scenography contractor: pdvex

photography: diego padilha, renato mangolin

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom