dynamic Facade defines Perkins&Will’s Figueira Leopoldo Tower
Perkins&Will develops Figueira Leopoldo for MPD Construtora and Helbor Empreendimentos, located in the Itaim Bibi district of São Paulo. The residential tower combines architectural clarity with a kinetic-inspired facade system that establishes a dialogue between art, movement, and the urban environment.
The project draws inspiration from the kinetic art of Brazilian artist Abraham Palatnik, translating his exploration of light, rhythm, and perception into a dynamic architectural form. Wooden panels and movable brise-soleil run across the facades, allowing residents to control light and privacy while creating shifting patterns visible from the street. These mobile elements contribute both to environmental performance, through solar and ventilation regulation, and to the building’s visual identity, as their movement alters the facade’s appearance depending on time of day and viewing angle.
all images by Pedro Mascaro
Figueira Leopoldo Reimagines High-Rise Living Through Openness
Standing 115 meters tall, the building contains 32 residential units, including garden and duplex apartments. The structure is organized to promote openness and spatial flexibility, with floor plans designed to accommodate multiple configurations. Large openings enhance cross-ventilation and daylight access, while interior gardens introduce greenery and natural materials into the living spaces, reinforcing comfort and connection with nature. To maximize efficiency and views, the tower is divided into two functional zones, social and service areas, allowing uninterrupted 360° perspectives in living spaces. The ground level extends this openness to the urban fabric, where a stone and wood base combined with landscaped areas establishes a visual and physical connection between the building and the street.
Common spaces include landscaped gardens, a lounge, a playroom, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center, with interiors designed by Carlos Rossi and landscaping by Benedito Abbud. Native plant species were selected to enhance environmental integration and reduce maintenance needs. Each apartment is provided with four parking spaces, with garden and duplex units featuring an additional spot. Through the interplay of kinetic facade systems, natural materials, and flexible spatial planning, studio Perkins&Will’s Figueira Leopoldo project reinterprets high-rise living as a dialogue between environmental performance, artistic expression, and urban continuity.
Figueira Leopoldo by Perkins&Will stands in São Paulo’s Itaim Bibi district
the tower explores the intersection of architecture, movement, and urban rhythm
the design draws from the kinetic art of Brazilian artist Abraham Palatnik
wooden panels and movable brise-soleil define the building’s dynamic facade
he building rises 115 meters, containing 32 residential units
shifting patterns on the facade change with time of day and perspective
the mobile screens enhance both environmental performance and visual identity
the kinetic-inspired system allows residents to adjust light and privacy
ground-level landscaping strengthens the connection with the neighborhood
interior gardens introduce greenery and a sense of continuity with nature
shared amenities include a pool, lounge, spa, and fitness center
project info:
name: Figueira Leopoldo
architect: Perkins&Will | @perkinswill_br
design team: Douglas Tolaine, Fernando Vidal, Lara Kaiser, Adriana Barbosa, Adriana Collet, Fatima Oliveira, Fernando Afonso, Renan Kadomoto, Daniel Falcão, Gabriel Freitas, Leticia Piza, Carlos Arthur Souza, Leticia Andreasi, Daniel Boer, Marcos Zeitoune, Rodrigo Gianoni, Cris Marques, and Mariana Vico
location: São Paulo, Brazil
photographer: Pedro Mascaro | @pedro.mascaro
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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