herzog & de meuron: gymnasium at mãe luiza

‘gymnasium at mãe luiza’ by herzog & de meuron, natal, brazilimage © herzog & de meuronall images courtesy of herzog & de meuron

basel-based firm herzog & de meuron collaborated with centro sócio pastoral nossa senhora de conceição to develop the ‘gymnasium at mãe luiza’, a recreational facility overlooking the sea in natal, brazil. addressing the communities needs, the center has been integrated into the dense urban fabric within an underutilized area, returning the site back to the vibrant neighborhood. concentrated within a series of buildings, their close proximity attracts public activities into the complex with a sports field accommodating 350 individuals, multipurpose rooms and indoor athletic facilities.

columns and trusses of an existing concrete structure were retained to mark the location of football games and identify a platform to view the nearby dunes and ocean. a perforated pitched roof formed with aluminum sandwich-panels was placed over the building area, adjusting to the irregular site shape while respecting the scale of the adjacent school and homes. a cooling breeze enters the internal spaces while hot air is ventilated as well as introducing natural light and inhibiting rain. the uniform concrete ground cover forms the spectators sands and dually merges with the encompassing sandy landscape. bordering the smaller programmatic spaces, an undulating wall comprised of open concrete blocks creates a transparent and textured surface.

approach from the neighborhoodimage © herzog & de meuron

interiorimage © herzog & de meuron

modelimage © herzog & de meuron

project info:

herzog & de meuron team: partners: jacques herzog, pierre de meuron, ascan mergenthaler project architects: tomislav dushanov (associate), mariana vilela client: centro sócio pastoral nossa senhora de conceição, natal, brazil location: natal, brazil design: project 2011 – planned completion 2013