The Cultural Center of the Red Bull Station

The city center of São Paulo is one of the places in the world where urbanity is most powerful and intense. An area in which the beauty of the streets and buildings has been forgotten for many years. Through the renovation of a building from the 20’s, formerly occupied by the electricity company Light, the new architectural project of Triptyque, the Cultural Center of the Red Bull Station, appears as an important player for the rehabilitation of the city center. Based on the Bandeira square, the new cultural center links together auditive and visual arts through the production and dissemination of new forms of artistic expression. The building was completely renovated respecting the architectural heritage concepts. A contemporary intervention was carried out in order to adapt the building to its new role as a cultural hub. The essence of the historic building has been preserved, and the beauty of its elements has been strengthened. An architectural element was created to accompany visitors throughout their visit, from the stairs to the five floors of the Red Bull Station and its numerous spaces. On the roof of the station floats a fleet metal called "sheet" that covers the terrace. On one side of the ground floor is located the main gallery, a space that houses exhibitions of all forms of visual arts, performances and concerts. On the other side, is located a volume of concrete, carefully polished and sculpted to receive a music studio. The basement has been converted into an exhibition space and music rehearsal rooms. Upstairs, six workshops were created for artistic residencies that will change each quarter. Around the individual workshops, the " Transition gallery" will temporarily host projects in their creative process. During its first life, the transformers station was using a water cooling system. Triptyque reawaken this system after decades by bringing back water to the station. The "leaf" on the roof collects rainwater, the water does its original course to the tank located in the basement and sprinkled by the fountain on the terrace. This drip of liquid energy, not electric, brings new life to the Station, and has echoes around its, in the entire city. Project: The Cultural Center of the Red Bull Station Architect: Triptyque Associates: Gregory Bousquet, Carolina Bueno, Guillaume Sibaud, Olivier Raffaelli General Coordinator: Luiz Trindade Team: Paulo Adolfo Martins (project manager) / Pedro de Mattos Ferraz (architect). Contributors: Thiago Bicas, Ricardo Innecco (architects) / Luísa Vicentini, Sofia Saleme Priscila Fialho, Murillo Fantinati, Natallia Shiroma (trainees). Project Management Redbull: Jairo Gen Heritage and Restoration: Ana Marta Ditolvo Structure: Companhia de Projetos Foundations: Solosfera Geotecnia e Consultoria em Fundações Illumination: Studio Carlos Fortes Facilities: Sermon Engenharia Fire: Feuertec Engenharia Waterproofing: Proassp Air conditioning: Systema Audio e Video: SVA Sistemas Audio e Video Acoustics: Akkerman Acústica Engenharia Music Studio: Acousthink Air Studio: Fundament-AR Engenharia Photo credits: Pedro Kok