Regenerating the historic centre of a metropolis such as São Paulo requires a deep understanding of how it has evolved and of the challenges it faces today. It also requires an analysis of the socio-economic impact that the project can generate and the role it can play in the city’s future.
Between 2014 and 2018, Studio Lauria Network developed the urban regeneration master plan for the Triângulo Histórico in central São Paulo, redesigning public spaces, squares, routes and street furniture while enhancing the memory of the place and creating new conditions for public use.
This vision also includes the commission from CDHU, the São Paulo State urban development agency, for the Palacete do Carmo city block. The site comprises four early-twentieth-century neoclassical buildings between Cathedral Square — Catedral da Sé — and Pátio do Colégio, the point from which São Paulo was founded. This fragment of the city presents an opportunity for architectural restoration, adaptive reuse and urban regeneration, introducing new public functions with significant strategic value.
For an architecture practice founded in Florence, engaging with historic heritage is always an exercise in balance: respect, technical precision and the ability to imagine contemporary uses. From construction details to the urban scale, integrated design can transform complex buildings and places into new focal points capable of attracting investment, culture and public life. Public- and private-sector clients gain a partner able to combine international vision with operational control, from feasibility through to detailed design decisions. Project communication also becomes part of the strategy.
Aware of the challenges of globalisation, we draw on Italian creativity to develop projects that respect and enhance local identities and cultures.
