The existing building dated from the 60s and had been designed to receive visitors but in a way that was neither functionally nor museologically successful. The response was to create a raised visiting circuit separating visitors from the process of production. The external towers form the entrance and exit points and vertical house circulation, taking visitors onto the upper level. Footbridges lead from the towers, running parallel to the roadway and into the factory. These then link into a set of existing elevated walkways that were already within the production spaces.
Within this circuit, visitors explore exhibition materials corresponding to the actual production process of the factory below. 10 thematic cores follow the distinct phases of the journey from raw materials to packaging. Circular windows are opened in strategic spots, linking exhibits back to the reality of the process. Each core has specific colors and materials, as well as immersive soundtracks and scenography.
The primary structure of the towers and footbridges is in tubular steel; this also supports the external envelope composed of glass and expanded steel panels. The floors are constructed with perforated metal sheets that contribute to the natural ventilation and draining of internal spaces; the roof elements are steel panels.
The structure is made up of non-coplanar triangular meshes 2.5m high that repeat every 10m. Besides making the structure more rigid and more slender, this shape means that the glazing also reflects different parts of the surrounding landscape. Footbridge I is supported by metallic columns and beams with different sections and has 10m spans between the supports and a 27.5m span between the last column and the tower. Footbridge II has 15m spans and a 5m cantilever to the building.
technical information
Client: Nestlé Brasil ChocolateProject date: 2011
Architectural and Exhibition Design: Anna Ferrari, Gustavo Cedroni, Martin Corullon, Paloma Delgado, Paula Noia, Ricardo Canton, Alfonso Simelio, Felipe Fuchs, Bruno Kim, Marina Ioshii e Pedro Mesquita
Management: Giro consultoria – Luciana Meili
Structural Engineer: Companhia de Projetos – Eng. Heloisa Maringoni
Foundations Engineer: Renato Perezin
Lighting Design: Lux Projetado – Ricardo Heder
Graphic Design: BVY Arquitetos – Cássia Buitoni
Content: Pletora – Paula Pinto e Silva
Soundtrack and Audio: Zut – Cacá Machado
Contractor: Emplatec – Eng. Rubens Molinari and Eng. Edimilson Brandão
Steel Structure: Bandeirantes
Scenography: Liz eventos – Luis Picker
Multimedia Equipment: Emotique
Comunications Agency: J.W.T.