The architecture contemporary architecture is increasingly positioned as a vector of transformation, capable of creating new tourist destinations that go far beyond simple physical structures. Architectural projects not only are they eye-catching, but they also aim to have a positive impact on everyone involved, given the growing environmental awareness and the search for ecological experiences.
According to data from Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) and the Federal Police, Brazil registered the arrival of almost 1 million international tourists in January 2024. And the forecast for the year is to maintain this flow. The search for destinations with ecological experiences immersed in nature and well-being has grown due to the growing environmental awareness, the demand for slow living and slow staying - a slow pace, compatible with respect and self-knowledge.
Adopting a holistic approach that promotes harmony between the built environment and its surroundings.
Making a contextual reading of this global scenario, with a keen eye on local specificities, the AO has been collaborating with the formation of new destinations in the country, adopting a holistic approach that promotes harmony between the built environment and its surroundings.
Gentle Architecture Concept
Gentle architecture is a concept that refers to urban and architectural design that prioritizes people’s well-being by fostering environments that are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. This approach seeks to create spaces that consider the needs of everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, rather than focusing exclusively on vehicles and infrastructure.
A notable example of this capability is one of our Masterplan projects, currently under development in Bahia, which investigates how to establish a mixed-use tourism development that benefits leisure activities while preserving nature and the local community. A creation that involves a complete solution of masterplan, architecture , interior design , visual communication, and landscaping, conceived on a large plot of land facing the sea.
Developing a main headquarters, bungalows and a beach club with restaurant and amenities, permeable and integrated into a system of open and green areas, the structures bring the implementation on a pedestrian scale, architectures that welcome living where proportion, harmony and materiality are composed to narrate contemporary well-being intertwined with local nature.
More intense contact with nature, making it possible to redefine the boundaries between the countryside and the city.
Another inspiring example is the construction of iconic architectural landmarks that become globally recognized symbols of a city. The Paraíso das Araucárias project , a masterplan that will develop an urbanity intertwined with nature in one of the most prosperous regions of southern Brazil - Campo Alegre. Traditionally, Campo Alegre is a place for second or third homes, but it is increasingly becoming a priority option, especially as the region's population ages and reaches some of the longest life expectancies in the country.
This change is reflected in the search for quieter urban centers that offer more intense contact with nature, making it possible to redefine the boundaries between the countryside and the city. It also shows its potential as an ecotourism destination and the urgency of promoting sustainable development integrated with the process of urbanization and urban expansion.
Architecture plays a key role in creating new landmarks by adding value to an area or region in a variety of ways. Whether through urban renewal, creating anchors for vibrant local activities, or building iconic landmarks, well-designed architectural projects have the power to transform a location and make it a destination for travelers eager for unique and memorable experiences.
