August 11, 2020

10:08

Náferson Cruz – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The renowned Atelier Marko Brajovic, known for developing large sustainable architecture projects in cities such as Milan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Barcelona and São Paulo, now directs his skills with mastery and creativity to the Amazon Forest.

The studio recently announced the project for a Floating Community Library, which is being implemented in the Lago Mamori region, with river access through the Araçá community, at Km 52 of the BR-319 highway (Manaus – Porto Velho).

The project that intends to become a reference for sustainable construction and environmental education, has a close collaboration with the local community. Currently, the region of Lago Mamori has a population of approximately 2 thousand inhabitants.

Marko Brajovik, a Brazilian-born Croat, one of the creators of the project, told REVISTA CENARIUM that it took almost two decades of research, experimentation in design and architecture. In addition to many dialogues with residents.

The architect points out that the initiative of the project in progress was only possible due to the Goethe Institut and Prince Claus Fund’s “Artistic Responses to Environmental Change” program, which made it possible to finance the proposal.

“The conception was born through the Goethe announcement, which sought actions focused on art and how climatic factors influence communities with natural surroundings, so we developed a project and through artistic expression, we were able to get closer to the theme. It was a useful and sensitive proposal in the intended context, thus the Sustainable Library was born”, explained.

Amazonian dare

The access to reach the community and the climatic conditions of the region are obstacles to whatever the demands are. But in addition to these factors, Brajovic’s team pointed to technology and industrialized construction materials, as challenges to be overcome for the progress of the project.

According to the architect, the use of such materials and construction techniques introduced from another region of the country resulted in new architectural types that did not meet climatic conditions, eroding the quality of life of the local culture. “Our project features a prototype of experimental architecture using local and recycled materials”, he adds.

Space and collection

The simple yet effective infrastructure houses a library for children and adults with a selection of books related to cultural and natural preservation, ecology, solid waste treatment, and recycling.

Marko Brajovik also informed that for the operation of the library, training will be given to the community. As for the book collection, it will be updated with copies of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Vaga Lume, which will start with a donation of 200 books and, each year, a new supply of 100 books.

Proposal development

Atelier Marko Brajovic has been operating for 15 years in partnership with the Architectural Association Visiting School Amazon, developing projects aimed at the education of Brazilian and foreign architects, with the application of courses aimed at sustainable architecture.

One of the results of this creative process was the creation of the Floating Library project, ponders Brajovic: “It was a link between Architectural with its academic proposal and Atelier with its professionalism, we also count on the collaboration of biologist and biomimetic Alessandra Araújo from Bio-inspirations, and Nacho Marti, designer and co-director of Architectural”, he stresses.

Due to the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, activities have been suspended, but Brajovik believes the project will be completed by the end of this year. A base (platform) that will support the building of the library is already installed in the Mamori logo.

International awards won by Atelier Marko Brajovic

IF Award 2016 – Ark – Architecture / Residences Category
IF Award 2016 – Pavilhão Brasil Expo Milão 2015 – Exhibition Space Category
World Architecture Festival 2015 – Pavilhão Brasil Expo Milão 2015 – Exhibition Space Category
IF Gold Award 2015 – Camper Melbourne – Store category