Roof construction with skylight over the atrium of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center in São Paulo

steel-and-glass roof for garden-like atrium architecture

skylight spans the atrium of albert einstein education and research center

Under the vaulted glass roof in the bustling metropolis of São Paulo, Brazil, over 150 trees and palms flourish alongside countless other plants. This 1,320 sqm green oasis forms the atrium of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center, a state-of-the-art facility for research and education. The atrium architecture features a 3,800 sqm skylight, designed in three sections to provide ample natural light to support plant growth while integrating an advanced shading system.

atrium architecture creates comfort

Additionally, the skylight structure meets essential requirements for enhanced comfort within the atrium. It regulates heat levels and prevents glare, while the finely filtered light creates natural shading, making the atrium a more comfortable and welcoming environment.

Façade type
Steel-and-glass design
Client
Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein (SBIBAE)
Engineer
Thornton Tomasetti
Architect
Safdie Architects, LLC
Atrium roof of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center made of steel and square glass panels
Exterior view of the atrium roof construction of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center with three parts
Planted atrium of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center with palm trees and trees under the printed roof by seele
Construction work on the skylight of the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center in São Paulo
Construction workers install glass in the steel structure of the skylight at the Albert Einstein Education and Research Center

steel-and-glass roof mimics a leafy canopy

The roof structure, made of steel and ultra-transparent, low-iron glass with high visual light transmission, is an innovative shading system that ensures sufficient daylight enters the atrium for the vegetation growing inside. The fritted glass panels are printed with a pattern of ceramic dots and have a thermal and solar control coating. Perforated membrane panels, also printed with dots, are mounted underneath to additionally filter light and improve acoustics.

#madebyseele

Design, manufacture and installation of the large skylight — made of printed insulating glass with thermal and solar control coating and acoustic membrane panels — a clerestory façade made of 140 units of double-laminated safety glass, and a visual mock-up

3,786 sqm
skylight
1,854
different glass elements
650 sqm
clerestory façade
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