Pininfarina, the renowned Italian design house, together with developer GT Home, has officially opened Vitra by Pininfarina, a striking new addition to the skyline of Balneário Camboriú, Brazil. This project marks the third Pininfarina-designed building in Santa Catarina and underscores the brand’s expanding architectural influence in the region. Building on the momentum of their previous collaboration, Yachthouse by Pininfarina, the partners have delivered a structure positioned to become a focal point in the city’s urban landscape.
Architectural Vision: A Unified Gesture
Vitra is the first mixed-use tower by Pininfarina in Balneário Camboriú. The design is conceived as a singular architectural gesture, where a continuous aluminum frame elegantly wraps the building. This frame not only defines the transition between the public commercial base and the exclusive residential volumes above, but also establishes a strong architectural identity. By visually and spatially connecting both sides of the urban block, Vitra emerges as a catalyst for urban connectivity and renewal in the city center.
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A defining feature of Vitra is its high-performance, continuous glass façade. This element maximizes natural light within the residential spaces, enhancing both wellbeing and visual comfort. The façade is engineered for thermal efficiency and wind resistance, while also framing panoramic views of the coastline. The extensive use of glass reinforces the project’s commitment to openness and transparency, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior and fostering a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Macro-Object Approach: Industrial Heritage Reimagined
Drawing from Pininfarina’s storied industrial design heritage, Vitra embodies a “macro-object” philosophy, treating the building as a single, refined entity. The approach is evident in the essential, elegant, and timeless lines that define the structure. This philosophy extends to the interiors, where bespoke elements such as custom-designed lobby lounge chairs have been created exclusively for Vitra. According to Paolo Trevisan, SVP of Design at Pininfarina of America, “The lounge chair extends the architecture into a human scale, where form, comfort, and space elegantly converge.”
Rooftop Experience: Elevating Urban Living
At the tower’s summit, residents and guests are welcomed into a rooftop sky lounge that offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in Balneário Camboriú. With sweeping views over the city, the ocean, and the bay, this space crowns the building and elevates the residential experience, making it a sought-after destination for those seeking both luxury and a sense of place.
International Recognition and Awards
Vitra by Pininfarina has already garnered significant international acclaim, including the American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum and the German Design Award for Excellent Communications Design – Architecture. These honors confirm Vitra’s status as a benchmark project within both the local and international architectural communities.
A Shared Vision and Enduring Legacy
Samuele Sordi, Chief Architectural Officer at Pininfarina of America, describes Vitra as “the result of a shared vision between Pininfarina and GT Home, built on trust, design excellence, and a commitment to quality.” The building stands as a testament to Pininfarina’s core values, elegance, essentiality, and innovation. More than a structure, Vitra is positioned to leave a lasting mark on the city, transforming visionary design into enduring architecture that now opens its doors to the public.
Pininfarina, founded in 1930 and headquartered in Italy, is celebrated globally for its ability to create timeless beauty rooted in elegance, purity, and innovation. With a portfolio spanning automotive, product, experience, and architectural design, the company has completed over 1,300 mobility projects and more than 650 product and architecture projects, earning over 70 international design awards in the last decade.
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