Designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, the Edifício Jaraguá rises as concrete and glass. It punctuates the São Paulo skyline. This is the Predio Jaraguá. It is more than just a building. It’s a statement.
Predio Jaraguá stands on a hill. Its main facades face the Tietê and Pinheiros valleys. These are two important axes of the city. The architect designed it so the common areas in each apartment enjoy views in both directions. He used a split-level design. He had used this before in other residential blocks like Guaimbê.
Let’s delve into its structure. The large beams support the main floor at the top. A cantilevered slab sits at the lower level. This creates a height difference. The living room is elevated above the kitchen. This allows views over the kitchen area. This strategy repeats lengthwise. It separates the living area from the dining room by five steps.
The Predio Jaraguá’s structural system and spatial definition are intertwined. The upper floor extends to define the work surface. The lower slab creates storage in the bedroom. The facade composition directly reflects the structure in section. It exposes the profiles of the building elements. These are closed off with steel and glass panels.
The Jaraguá Building shows Mendes da Rocha’s architectural philosophy. It uses structural elements as spatial dividers. The building was constructed between 1984 and 1988.
But let’s step back in time. Before the Predio Jaraguá, this area had a different kind of fame. There was a farm called Parque Indígena. Júlio Conceição maintained it. It was a place of international renown. Opened to the public in 1909, it housed one of the largest orchid collections in the country. Nearing his death, the Municipality acquired the orchids. They used them to form the Municipal Orchidarium.
Some say the imperial palms in front of the building date from that era. Does that seem possible?
Now, about the Edifício Jaraguá itself. In the late 1950s, the ARENA construction company designed and built it. Like many buildings in the city. Though recently renovated, the ground floor retains its original features. There is a beautiful figurative panel. Also gardens and sculptural elements.
An ARENA newspaper from 1964 stated their mission. It said they always sought to soften abrupt concrete volumes. They added color and life through gardens. Also artificial lakes, sculptures, and figurative panels.
Speaking of sculpture, the Predio Jaraguá features a sculpture. It depicts an indigenous person. This clearly alludes to the Parque Indígena. This is a nod to the area’s past. The Predio Jaraguá is more than just concrete and glass. It is a reminder of São Paulo’s history. It links nature and architecture together.