Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2024

THE MEMORIAL

The proposal is rooted in the understanding of the new Memorial as a space for valuing and celebrating life, situated within an institution historically dedicated to advancing science and technology for the benefit of Brazilian public health. Addressing a theme of profound sensitivity and public emotion, the design envisions an idyllic space evoking in visitors a mix of memory and hope—rather than anguish or morbidity—aligned with the historical role and principles of the institution itself.

Guided by this principle, the project adopts the following approaches:

PAST AND PRESENT

The new Memorial is designed to blend harmoniously with the natural and spatial richness of the existing grove, reinterpreting its key landscape elements. These include the majestic canopy responsible for the interplay of light and shadow characteristic of the space, the “natural boundary” between the walkable grove and the surrounding denser forest, and the lake with its distinct acoustics provided by the existing fountain—each viewed as a protagonist in the existing setting.

The project identifies socio-emotional value even in elements that may seem unremarkable. The body of water, preserved but reinterpreted, becomes a symbol of permanence and resilience. This decision stems not only from financial and economic constraints but from the desire to elevate the lake as a physical-temporal symbol of the pandemic period.

Why should memories fade over time? A tabula rasa approach is not seen as an appropriate response to this design challenge.

THE PATHWAY BETWEEN TIMES

A straight line connecting the existing crosswalk to the lake’s geometric center creates the Memorial’s sensory climax. Utilizing the existing topography—a difference in elevation between the sidewalk’s upper level and the grove’s lower level—a 24-meter linear path gently slopes downward toward the water at an accessible incline (3.75%).

The railing’s upper edge remains level, creating a rhythm that gradually induces in the visitor a sense of enclosure reminiscent of the pandemic’s isolating nature. As the grove’s landscape fades from view, a subtle vibration from the mechanical turbulence of the water below emulates the feelings of instability and vulnerability experienced by all.

As visitors approach the water, the changing frame of the landscape and the shifting light suggest an exit—a light at the end of the tunnel. At the climax, visitors can walk over a central sheet of water, gaining a previously unimaginable perspective of the grove.

The intervention involves raising the center of the lake’s floor in a circular projection with a 7-meter radius. While the path descends toward the water, the destination rises in elevation. A drainage channel ensures separation between accessible (center) and inaccessible (perimeter) areas, while circulation into restricted areas is blocked by a 20 cm raised stainless-steel transition belt. Observers can also perceive a distinction between the turbid and clear waters.

The shallow accessible water layer will undergo permanent chemical treatment to maintain pH balance, alkalinity, and clarity, ensuring the prevention of insect breeding, algae proliferation, and skin disease transmission.

SYMBOLISM OF RESILIENCE

The lake, water plaza, and pathway together symbolize human resilience. The past (the lake) and the present (the water plaza) coexist and continually feed into one another through our experiences—especially the adverse ones represented by the pathway.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition from past to present was achieved through hope (the light at the end of the tunnel), particularly by those who risked their lives for the collective good.

RibasMarçal Arquitetura + Tempo Arquitetos
National Competition

Authors: Augusto Longarine, Luiz Sakata, Marcelo R. Marçal

Collaborators: Matheus Silva, Pedro de Borba

Landscape Design: Roberto de Sá

Type: Institutional

Built Area: 2,500 m²

Models: Marcelo R. Marçal

Links: Instagram, Website

Other works by author:

Bela Vista Biological Refuge | Itaipú Binacional