Pininfarina, the legendary Italian design house, brings its signature vision to architecture in Brazil with Atto Design by Pininfarina, a boutique residential project developed in collaboration with Origem Incorporadora. Featuring just 20 exclusive homes, Atto is poised to become a new icon of contemporary design and refined coastal living in Rio de Janeiro’s Barra de Tijuca.
Atto’s architecture is a sculptural tribute to the essence of Rio. The building’s flowing lines echo the dramatic contours of Sugarloaf Mountain and the rhythmic curves of Copacabana and Ipanema’s shoreline. Its façade is conceived as a vertical garden, with layered greenery that provides privacy, shade, and a seamless connection to the lush tropical landscape, integrating the structure into the heart of its environment.
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Every residence, spanning from around 450 m² to more than 1100 m², is designed to maximize panoramic views of the Atlantic and Rio’s mountains. Expansive interiors, abundant natural light, and open-air spaces immerse residents in the sensory richness of their surroundings, forging a powerful bond with the city’s vibrant spirit and natural beauty.
This interview with Samuele Sordi of Pininfarina of America goes into the creative process and vision behind this remarkable project.
How did Rio de Janeiro’s iconic landscapes, like Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana’s coastline, influence the architectural form of Atto? – Rio de Janeiro is a city defined by the harmonious interplay of its natural landscapes, cultural vibrancy, and artistic heritage, all woven into a tapestry of contemporary expression. Atto, located in Barra da Tijuca, which was once a vast area of beaches and sandbanks largely unsuitable for agriculture due to its swampy terrain, had minimal occupation until the mid-20th century. The recent growth in real estate has transformed the city, now home to some of Brazil’s most luxurious residential spaces. The sweeping curves of the Sugarloaf Mountain and the undulating lines of iconic beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana inspired forms that echo the rhythm of the ocean, complemented by materials taken from nature, such as stone, wood, and lush tropical vegetation. The step-like visuals found on the facade reflected the terraced hills of the surrounding mountains, which were once characterized as challenging topography prior to the urbanization of the area. This form now emphasizes the fast-paced nature of the city with a perfect balance of elegance and emotional depth.
The step-like visuals found on the facade reflected the terraced hills of the surrounding mountains, which were once characterized as challenging topography prior to the urbanization of the area. This form now emphasizes the fast-paced nature of the city with a perfect balance of elegance and emotional depth.
What design elements connect Atto to the artisanal traditions and cultural heritage of the Rio region? – The vibrant spirit of samba and bossa nova is reflected in the city’s soul, seen in the dynamic, fluid lines of Atto that evoke movement and celebration. Iconic artistic contributions, such as the patterns of Roberto Burle Marx’s Copacabana promenade and the bold, colorful aesthetics of Carmen Miranda, offer a palette of inspiration for textures and colors. Traditional Portuguese azulejos are reimagined as mosaics and contemporary feature walls, alongside handcrafted patterns that pay homage to local artisanship. The rich culinary heritage of Rio’s bustling food markets and lively street culture inspired communal spaces that were designed for connection and shared experiences. Atto’s design is thus complemented by a material palette rich with Brazilian hardwoods, quartzite, and woven rattan, underscoring the city’s duality of polished luxury and raw authenticity.
How does Atto balance modern luxury with a deep integration of natural elements in its design? – Atto strikes a thoughtful balance between modern luxury and powerful natural elements through a design that integrates refined architectural innovation with the natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro. Rooted in Brazil’s rich cultural heritage and elevated by Pininfarina’s design philosophy, Atto reflects a contemporary vision of luxury defined by clarity, simplicity, and harmony with the environment.
The residences are crafted using high-end materials, paired with bespoke elements designed to promote wellness and a sense of relaxation. Each unit opens directly onto panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding mountains, emphasizing an uninterrupted relationship with the landscape. Natural light floods the interiors through expansive windows and doors, creating a sense of openness and allowing residents to enjoy continuous fresh air.
Can you describe the concept behind the building’s vertical landscape and how it interacts with the local ecosystem? – Atto intentionally invites the city’s surrounding natural environment into its design through the integration of fluid lines, sweeping terraces, and rich textures. The visual language of the surrounding environment is reflected in the building’s vertical landscape with impactful layers of lush greenery throughout every floor, creating a peaceful, nature-filled sanctuary for residents to enjoy in the privacy of their own spaces. In many cases, bustling and densely populated cities like Rio de Janeiro lack spaces where locals can privately connect with nature; Atto addresses this gap by providing residents with serene, thoughtfully designed green sanctuaries that foster personal well-being and a deeper connection to the environment. Additionally, the integration of organic elements into the design of Atto adds to the well-being of the city’s local flora and fauna.
What challenges did you face while capturing the contrasts of Rio, between nature and urban life, in Atto’s design? – One of the key challenges in designing a luxurious residential building in Rio was honoring the city’s rich cultural identity while ensuring the architecture seamlessly integrated into the natural urban landscape. Rio has undergone a profound period of transformation in recent years, and the teams at Pininfarina and Origem Incorporadora for Atto aimed to celebrate this wave of progress while remaining deeply respectful of the city’s cultural heritage and the strong sense of place felt by its residents.
How does Atto reflect Pininfarina’s vision of new luxury through its architecture and living experience? – Pininfarina has been applying the concept of new luxury in architecture and residential living experiences by creating spaces that emphasize clarity, simplicity, and seamless harmony with nature. Pininfarina-designed residences prioritize wellness through the use of technological integrations and luxury design. Wellness is integrated through the welcoming design, abundance of natural light, wellness-centered focused amenities, all complemented by breathtaking views.
How do the spatial volumes and natural lighting in each residence deepen the emotional connection between residents and their surroundings? – The expansive spatial volumes and abundance of natural lighting found in the residences allow for a profound and continuous connection between the residents and the beautiful surrounding natural elements found in Barra de Tijuca. From the fresh ocean breezes to the energizing mountain views, Atto encourages residents to interact with the environment and immerse themselves in the dynamic spirit of the city. This powerful integration with nature not only enhances everyday living but also deepens the emotional bond residents feel with their environment.
What makes Barra de Tijuca a great location for Atto, and how does the project fit into the area’s growth? – Atto is located in Barra de Tijuca, a central hub for Rio’s modern expansion into the world of luxury design and hospitality. A new wave of development has recently spread across the city with a focus on integrating world-class amenities such as luxury malls, international schools, vibrant gastronomy, and pristine nature reserves with the laid-back coastal lifestyle the area is known for. Barra de Tijuca blends an energetic urban lifestyle with raw natural elements, making it an ideal home for a new set of luxury living innovations. Atto reflects Pininfarina’s ongoing commitment to designing for life and legacy.
How did the collaboration with Origem Incorporadora influence the project’s direction and execution? – Origem Incorporadora, although a newly launched brand, is already a pioneer in the design space with a strategic focus on elevating the vision of housing in Brazil. Pininfarina’s design excellence, paired with Origem Incorporadora’s vision of bringing innovative and exclusive design to Brazil influenced Atto’s breathtaking design. The two brands collaborated on creating a space that not only brought visual elegance to the neighborhood but that emotionally resonated with the residents and surrounding communities. Pininfarina and Origem’s profound knowledge of the Brazilian market and cultural context further influenced the design and process by which the project came to life.
Atto represents far more than a new residential development, but acts as a sculptural homage to the legacy of Rio. The integration of rich cultural design elements and strategic inclusions that take inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape showcases that residential living can have a significant impact on a community.
In what ways does Atto aim to create a lasting legacy in Rio’s architectural landscape and cultural scene? – Atto represents far more than a new residential development, but acts as a sculptural homage to the legacy of Rio. The integration of rich cultural design elements and strategic inclusions that take inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape showcases that residential living can have a significant impact on a community. Through the collaboration with Origem Incorporadora, Pininfarina demonstrates its deep-rooted appreciation for local visionaries and actively pays respect to each community that they touch with their designs.
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