Visualization Award

The future is Guarani

"For those who do not understand our language, I will translate. The Guarani people were like a river flowing slowly in its course when a giant stone was thrown into the stream. The water splashed into many corners. And the survivors are here today gathered together," says the Guarani-Kaiowá Anastácio Peralta, under the nodding eyes of his 'relatives' from Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. With this introduction I would like to talk a little about the Guarani people and how they can serve as inspiration for architecture in the future, forming a utopian relationship with nature. The Guarani people of Brazil have a rich cultural heritage that is rooted in their deep connection to the natural world. Their way of life, which emphasized harmony and balance with the environment, can provide inspiration for architects and urban planners as we look towards a more sustainable future. By studying the Guarani's approach to architecture, we can learn how to design buildings that are not only beautiful and functional, but also respectful of the natural world. For the Guarani, architecture was not just about shelter, but about creating spaces that facilitated social interaction and community cohesion. Their traditional buildings were constructed using local materials such as wood, bamboo, and thatch, and were designed to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. They utilized natural ventilation and lighting techniques to minimize their energy consumption and promote healthy indoor environments. As we strive to create a utopia for our future society, we can draw on the wisdom of the Guarani to design buildings and cities that are in harmony with the natural world, and that promote social interaction, community cohesion, and a sense of well-being. By integrating these principles into our architectural designs, we can create a sustainable future that is both beautiful and functional. The Guarani people, considered the oldest indigenous group in Brazil, possess a rich cultural heritage that has been fragmented due to various social transformations. Understanding the configuration of the first dwellings in the national territory is not only important for historical and cultural memory, but also for understanding the relationship between humans and the living space in contemporary times. To this end, a qualitative research was conducted with a focus on narratives that describe, through documentary and bibliographic records, the customs and relationships that occur within their dwellings. The result is a brief documentation of the origins of cultural diversity, with an emphasis on behavioral approaches from the perspective of housing and the role of women within this society. By studying the architecture of the Guarani people, we can learn valuable lessons about their harmonious relationship with the environment and how to design buildings that are respectful of nature. The traditional dwellings of the Guarani were constructed using locally sourced materials, such as wood and thatch, and were designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Furthermore, the role of women within Guarani society is also an important aspect to consider when discussing their dwellings. Women were responsible for the construction and maintenance of the homes, and their knowledge of local materials and building techniques was highly valued. By understanding the architecture and social customs of the Guarani people, we can gain insights into sustainable and respectful building practices that can inform our own approach to architecture and urban planning. Throughout this project, I will not only be discussing the Guarani people, but they were the starting point for the idea. There are many other indigenous communities in Brazil that deserve recognition and attention, including the Xingu tribes, the Yanomami people, the riverine communities, and the isolated tribes. Each of these groups has unique cultural practices, customs, and ways of life that are important to preserve and understand. By exploring the diversity of indigenous communities in Brazil, we can gain a greater appreciation for their contributions to the country's heritage and identity. All images were created using Stable Diffusion Ai.

Discrete Joinery

Joinery of human and artificial intelligence Set in a tranquil landscape, the design draws from traditional Japanese timber joinery, reinterpreted through a discrete, Artificial Intelligence defined discrete joinery. This discrete system serves as a bridge between crafts and computation. A combinatorial design process —both artistic and artificial—assembling modular components into aggregated, functional structures. Design exploration centered on square and rectangular prisms, inspired by the geometric logic of Japanese timber architecture. These elements were multiplied, stacked, and composed into dense forms and spatial expressions. It is within this dialogue—between the art and the algorithm, redefining what it means to craft art.

Reminiscence

Plato envisions death as the soul’s liberation, a passage to eternity through reincarnation; not an end, but a transformation. The loss of loved ones is life’s deepest sorrow, an absence that lingers in memory. Baubotanik architecture intertwines living trees with technical joinery, while tree burial pods cradle remains within biodegradable cocoons, blossoming into new life. As these trees take root, an exhibition of remembrance unfolds; a sacred grove where nature bridges the living and the departed, offering a poetic reflection on all that we lose and rediscover.

Re-Integrating Landscape

Over time, Piacenza has transformed from a Roman city into a walled settlement shaped by centuriation, with agricultural systems on its periphery that still define the local landscape. The city’s strategic location has attracted global logistics and manufacturing industries, especially post-industrial revolution, bringing economic potential but also challenges. The rapid industrial expansion has led to environmental degradation, health issues, reduced biodiversity, and threats to the historical and natural heritage. Industries now encroach upon key ecological corridors like the Nure Stream and Po River, increasing pollution and flood risks, while prioritizing vehicular traffic over sustainable mobility. This project seeks to balance industry, nature, and agriculture through a strategy of "re-integrating the landscape" reclaiming underused and abandoned spaces to establish a connected network of green and public areas. It proposes: Biodiversity conservation in agricultural zones near ecological corridors. Buffer zones between industry and farmland to address environmental concerns. Green and public spaces within industrial areas to enhance quality of life for workers and residents. At the heart of this network are cascinas remnants of Piacenza’s agricultural past reimagined with contemporary uses. These interventions form the foundation for a future model of sustainable industrial development, where economic growth and ecological resilience go hand in hand.

Asian Studies Center - University of Brasília

The proposal "towards a neo -original architecture" presents the creation of the Center for Asian Studies (Ceasia) as an architectural model based on seven principles that integrate tradition, innovation, sustainability and cultural identity. Developed as a diplomation work at FAU-UNB, The project proposes a critical response to the homogenization of modern architecture, rescuing original constructive techniques - both Brazilian and Asian - to conceive a space that respects the environment, values history and dialogue with the present. The original neo architecture emerges as a new design paradigm, which proposes buildings such as living organisms, deeply rooted in the local and cultural context, articulating sustainable materials, bioclimatic practices and a transdisciplinary appeal. CEASIA, in addition to supplying Neasia's infrastructure deficiency at UnB, seeks to be a symbolic and functional space of convergence between Brazil and Asia, Materializing, through architecture, a cultural, academic and environmental link.

Biophilic Air-Purification Towers

In a city ravaged by pollution, new technology emerges as a solution to deal with the environmental crisis. Artificial nature, cybernetics and biotechnology are three key areas being explored to create a sustainable living environment for our inhabitants. Artificial nature involves creating green spaces and natural habitats within an urban environment using techniques that replicate the natural world. In polluted cities, these spaces help purify the air, provide natural habitats for wildlife, and create a more comfortable and healthy living environment. Cybernetics integrates technology and biology to create more efficient and effective systems. This may include using sensors and data analytics to monitor and manage environmental conditions and developing more sophisticated methods for waste management and resource allocation. Biotechnology is the application of engineering principles to biological systems. In polluted cities, this includes developing genetically modified plants that can absorb pollutants from the air and creating artificial trees that generate electricity from solar panels. A skyscraper visualized as a biophilic air purification tower with glass walls that let in natural light is an example of how these technologies can be combined to create a sustainable living environment. Towers not only serve as beautiful design features, they also serve a functional purpose, purifying the air and creating a healthier living environment for its residents. Taken together, these new technologies offer hope for creating a better future in a world ravaged by pollution and the environmental crisis.

Sylva Pod

This modular home blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern eco-technologies to create a resilient, inclusive, and climate-responsive dwelling. Prefabricated cassette walls—made from waterproof plasterboard, structural plywood, and recycled glass-wool—form a ductile system that flexes during earthquakes and returns intact, combining safety with elegance. A cross-laminated timber roof, inspired by kake-zukuri temples, invites reflection beneath its warm, fragrant canopy. Solar-tracking louvers harvest energy and visually connect the neighborhood to the sun’s rhythm, while algae bioreactor façades clean greywater, capture carbon, and generate biofuel. Hinged wooden panels open to merge indoor and public life for markets or performances, then close for peace and privacy. Universal design ensures accessibility for all, and embedded sensors monitor structural health, fostering collective safety and trust. This home is not just a shelter—it is a living, breathing civic organism that nurtures social connection, environmental stewardship, and spiritual grounding in daily life.