NEW CITY FOR ALCÂNTARA PORT TERMINAL
- Status: in progress
- Size: 100 ha
- Location: Ilha do Cajual, São Luís do Maranhão, Brazil
- Year of completion: 2028
About the project.
In the tropical Alcântara region, the urbanization and development project of Vila Nova do Cajual carefully combines environmental concerns with the fundamentals of architectural design. The project prioritizes natural ventilation over mechanical systems and uses Alcântara’s local climate data to guarantee the best wind patterns for efficient ventilation, improving comfort in public and domestic spaces such as schools, health centres, and religious locations. By prioritizing environmental harmony and optimizing ventilation, the city’s layout on the gently sloping hillside of Cajual island and the strategic positioning of major services along the east-west promenade reflect its embrace of sustainable principles. Moreover, the Alcântara port terminal proposal emphasizes a dedication to reducing environmental effects by utilizing native materials and bioclimatic elements like city walls and ridge vents.
Story behind the design.
The design concept was based on the model of small cities in the north of Brazil, with a central alley with an equipment area on one side (such as a religious space, a health centre and a primary school), and the river on the other side.
The analysis of the local climate was the preponderant choice for the best urban and architectural configurations of all equipment and housing, to assure the population of the best climate resilience solution with passive/bioclimatic solutions, with local low-cost materials and with also easy maintenance.
The city was initially designed for a capacity of more than 50 families and is expected to grow progressively to about 500 families in 10 years.
Added value.
- Sustainable Construction emphasizes the use of ecological and bioclimatic solutions, minimizing environmental impact
- Prioritized use of local materials to reduce carbon footprint and promote regional economy
- Implemented techniques like city walls and wooden louvers for cross-ventilation, ensuring comfortable indoor environments without reliance on mechanical systems
- Meticulously tested designs to achieve high efficiency and comfort, focusing on natural light optimization and thermal comfort year-round
