jô vasconcellos constructs salinas cachaça museum in brazil

jô vasconcellos constructs salinas cachaca museum in brazil
photo © junia mortimer
all images courtesy of jo vasconcellos

the city of salinas, located in the countryside of minas gerais, is one of the major manufacturers and exporters of artisanal cachaça, distilled liquor concocted from sugarcane juice, in brazil. due to its popularity and prosperity, companies such as the world-renowned havana have made it the home of their headquarters. these are the reasons why the state government of minas gerais has chosen salinas as the home of the ‘cachaça museum’, a building designed by jo vasconcellos architects.

west elevation
photo © junia mortimer

the project is intended to reflect the desires of the surrounding population. therefore, the implementation and spatial organization must significantly contribute to the transformation of the nearby urban context, redeeming the so wanted socialization and creating unexpected perceptions of the area according to the new public forum.

library/square view
photo © junia mortimer

the facility is a continuity of volumes that develop a large and inviting square that is open to the local community. ‘this redeems the public aspect and the social commitment that a museum must carry when welcoming the citizens. furthermore, it must be a building that demands low economical investment and maintenance,’ said vasconcellos. its unusual and surprising vision is meant to be an experience of awe, highlighting the image of the museum in the large scale landscape.

east elevation
photo © junia mortimer

the executed and discussed schedule of needs was fully achieved through a common plan envisioned by group of professionals working on the project. the result is a linear route featuring various atmospheres that are developed through the use of proportional, technical, and museographic techniques to enable a dynamic process of interaction between the visitors and the objects. straight lines, flat surfaces, and solid blocks have been used as significant and defining elements of the landscape. the perception of the interior has been changed by the search for transitional spaces, different scales, gaps, and volumes.

the consuming aspects exhibition room
photo © junia mortimer

the overall geometry precisely reflects these needs and establishes the connections between them. using masonry with uneven finishing following the traditional architecture of the region, the simple construction provides sectional complexity. as such, each shape reacts to light and heat. in order to minimize the heat diffusion, the thick walls and the double slabs include an air cushion where the technical equipment of the museum can be installed.

east elevation
photo © junia mortimer

the multifunctional zone is articulated through a shaded circulation pathway that works as a transitional point between the exterior and the interior of the complex. with different proportions, the massing creates an expressive light and shadow effect through the use of concrete carved elements that enable semi-transparent moments and abundant ventilation. this weft gives continuity to the exhibitions as if the solid constructions are fragmented towards the external, pergola-shaded courtyard.

welcoming hall
photo © junia mortimer

beyond the partially open spaces, living areas, patios, terraces, a square, and an amphitheater alternate with lumberyards that can provide more privacy and rooms for classes, workshops, and other group activities. these are multipurpose programs, where the wind flows, without rigid architectural delimitation between the building and the ground. according to the architects, ‘the intention is to make the area an oasis of comfort and a meeting point for knowledge and enjoyment, whose ecological vocation can be seen through its building characteristics. the strict selection of materials is suitable for the exhibition spaces and its identity with the local background.’

old and contemporary regional cachaça collection room
photo © junia mortimer

floor plan

project info:

building: museu da cachaça de salinas (salinas’ cachaça museum)
location: salinas, minas gerais
client: the state government of minas gerais – department of culture of minas gerais
project date: 2005
work completion date: 2012
property area: 13.00m2
built-up area: 2.200m2
architect: jô vasconcellos
museological planning: silvania nascimento
museographic planning: estúdio ronaldo barbosa
lighting: estúdio ronaldo barbosa
structure: josé maria carreira
hydraulic structure: magna engenharia
air conditioning: magna engenharia
building: construtora cherem
photography: junia mortimer

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.

jô vasconcellos constructs salinas cachaça museum in brazil

architecture in brazil (368)

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