Emerging Brazilian practice Metro Arquitetos have revived the sloping streetscape of Ladeira da Barroquinha, a major pedestrian axis in the historic centre of Salvador. Their elegant stairway connects the Glauber Rocha Theatre to the Gregório de Matos Foundation at Barroquinha Church in a modern, daring way.
A heavily trafficked route to the bus terminal and home to a bustling street market, the homogenous intervention is cleverly organised to facilitate juxtaposing pedestrian flows. Bound on one side by a retaining wall, a ramp and continuous steps encourage onward movement, while opposite, elevated plateaus following the natural incline of the site and integrating with respective existing building levels are suggestive of a more relaxed pace.
A seamless organic sweep is formed by the merging of the two, dissolving boundaries and opening up views to Barroquinha Church. Portuguese mosaic paving and solid granite thresholds, traditional materials of the historic centre were applied with modern building techniques including water jet laser cutting for precision on curved and geometrical edges.
‘With a total of 2,500 sq m the whole area was equipped with benches, tables, bike racks, new lighting and landscaping which gave the entire complex not only the character of an efficient passageway and important landmark but also of a pleasant area to sojourn, contemplate the scenery and preserve the traditional leather market which for many years has been in this same place,’ explain the architects.
A monochrome palette of traditional Portuguese mosaic paving and granite edging merges with modern building techniques for precision at curves and geometric edges
Organic curves are formed by the seamless integration of the continuous steps with elevated plateaus
Strategically positioned stylized street furniture creates places to pause and contemplate the scenery
An extension to the new landscaped square at the Glauber Rocha Theatre, the stairway opens up views along its passage to the Gregório de Matos Foundation at Barroquinha Church
INFORMATION
Photography: Ilana Bessler
-
The furniture for the new Studio Museum in Harlem tells a story of its ownFurnishings at the new purpose-built home for New York’s Studio Museum in Harlem sit in harmony with its mission as an uplifting platform for artists of African descent
-
A new show at Edinburgh gallery Bard celebrates the everyday poetry of craft through the optimism of a hardware shopOpening at Scottish gallery Bard, Bardware celebrates craft with the 'robust joy of a hardware shop'
-
Kiko Kostadinov’s one-off London runway show was inspired by the designers’ Lakeland terrier, DanteTaking place in the brand’s new east London headquarters on Friday, the co-ed show saw designers Kiko Kostadinov and Laura and Deanna Fanning use the dog’s northern origins to inspire a collection which drew on the British countryside
-
Inspired by farmhouses, a Cunha residence unites cosy charm with contemporary Brazilian livingWhen designing this home in Cunha, upstate São Paulo, architect Roberto Brotero wanted the structure to become 'part of the mountains, without disappearing into them'
-
Arts institution Pivô breathes new life into neglected Lina Bo Bardi building in BahiaNon-profit cultural institution Pivô is reactivating a Lina Bo Bardi landmark in Salvador da Bahia in a bid to foster artistic dialogue and community engagement
-
Tropical gardens envelop this contemporary Brazilian home in São Paulo stateIn the suburbs of Itupeva, Serena House by architects Padovani acts as a countryside refuge from the rush of city living
-
Itapororoca House blends seamlessly with Brazil’s lush coastal landscapeDesigned by Bloco Arquitetos, Itapororoca House is a treetop residence in Bahia, Brazil, offering a large wrap-around veranda to invite nature in
-
A postmodernist home reborn: we tour the British embassy in BrazilWe tour the British Embassy in Brazil after its thorough renovation by Hersen Mendes Arquitetura, which breathes new life into a postmodernist structure within the country's famous modernist capital
-
A new concrete house in São Paulo state is designed to open up to its hillside viewsArchitects Fernanda Padula and Juliana Risso have shaped this family house in Brazil from meticulously poured concrete forms, precise joinery and a close relationship with the landscape
-
Meet Carmen Portinho, the pioneering engineer who shaped Brazilian architectureCarmen Portinho’s pioneering vision shaped Brazil’s social housing, museums and modernist identity. A new exhibition in Rio finally gives her work the recognition it deserves
-
Honouring visionary landscape architect Kongjian Yu (1963-2025)Kongjian Yu, the renowned landscape architect and founder of Turenscape, has died; we honour the multi-award-winning creative’s life and work
