Os Cubos An Inflatable Fluvial Metropolis
What is a Cubo?
Os Cubos (Portuguese for "The Cubes") are solar-powered inflatable struct provide the communities surrounding the Billing Reservoir with a fluvial m of its own. Surrounded by water purifying structures, Os Cubos redefines the park by providing spaces that reactivate the existing water landscape, f interaction with its resources and shedding light on the number of existi Billings Reservoir for leisure, recreation, and community creation, not jus
Different scales--small, medium, and large--correspond to intimate, social, respectively. As the surrounding informal communities continue to expand, T to the community's ever-growing need for new public spaces that provide an a mal surroundings. Additionally, these floating masses seek exude and reflect tectural massiveness and monumentality in Sao Paulo, albeit through space
The materiality and ephemerality of the plastic film used for Os Cubos inher to the language of conventional flotation devices and modern water parks. Ye riality also showcases water's potential as a new means for mobility and tra ticularly due to its ability to make masses lighter-- further carrying thro efforts of the city of Sao Paulo.
Nonetheless, Os Cubos are a machine: they are self-powered, water purifyi fromt the land, and the required immersion into the water to use them, ai symbolic transition into the collective mindset needed to explore the poten
1
tures whose different scales metropolis, a city on water, e notion of the modern water facilitating the community's ing possibilities to use the st transportation.
, and communal interactions These scales seek to respond alternatative to their inforthe Brazilian aura of archirather than materiality
rently connotes fun, alluding et, the lightness of the mateansportation of waste--parrough the vision and current
ing spaces whose disconnect im to create a physical and ntial of a fluvial metroplis.
CUBO S
2
Typologies
S: 12' x 12' x 8'
M: 24' x 24' x 10'
3
L: 48' x 48' x 12'
Small cubo (1-5): suited for individual use or intimate interactions
Medium cubo (5-20): suited for small groups and events
occupiable space external boundaries water filtration system
Large cubo (20-50): suited for more communal activities
4
Solar Panel Fabric The solar panel fabric is in charge of collecting energy during the daytime in order to power the cubo's daily activites as well as light it up at night
Sample S Cubo Main occupiable space
Docking Poles Part of the supporting structure, the docking poles allow visiting boats to park outside the cubo
Water filtration System The water filtration technology would provide the cubo users with a cleaner environment than the current waters can provide the communiy with, allowing for safer, more hygienic activities
Supporting Structure The supporting structures would hold the Cubos and the accompanying filtration system stable, preventing them from floating around
5
GETTING AROUND!
S Boats S Boats provide transportation for 1-4 people. They're always available for use.
L Boats L Boats are used for larger groups or bigger events, such as to transport the CEU kids to their swimming classes
6
How can YOU use Os Cubos?
DIFFERENT AGE ACTIVITIES DIF Recreation
7
Leisure
volunt
GROUPS SEE FFERENTLY
teering
Job Opportunities
Learning Experiences
8
EVENTS SCHEDULE 6:00 AM
9
MONDAY Maintenance
TUESDAY Maintenance
WEDNESDAY Maintenance
7:00 AM
Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
8:00 AM
Open to the public
CEU Swimming Classes
Open to the public
Water Zumba
Open to the public
9:00 AM
Open to the public
10:00 AM
CEU Swimming Classes
Water Zumba
CEU Swimming Classes
11:00 AM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
12:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
1:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
2:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
3:00 PM
Swimming Classes
Dancing Workshops
Swimming Classes
4:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
5:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
6:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
7:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
8:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
9:00 PM
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
10:00 PM
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
= all cubos
THURSDAY Maintenance
= S cubos
FRIDAY Maintenance
= M cubos
SATURDAY Maintenance
= L cubos
SUNDAY Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
Maintenance
CEU Swimming Classes
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
Water Zumba
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open to the public
Water Zumba
Open to the public
Community Meetings
Arts & crafts courses
Open to the public
Open to the public
Community Meetings
Arts & crafts courses
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open sportsplay
Temporary Art Installation
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open sportsplay
Temporary Art Installation
Open to the public
Open to the public
Open sportsplay
Temporary Art Installation
Dancing Workshops
Swimming Classes
Family picnics
Family picnics
Open to the public
Inflatable Painting
Family picnics
Family picnics
Open to the public
Weekly Movie
Family picnics
Family picnics
Open to the public
Weekly Movie
Volleyball and basketball
Open to the public
Open to the public
Weekly Movie
Volleyball and basketball
Open to the public
Open to the public
Live bands
Port Concert
Open to the public
Open to the public
Live bands
Port Concert
Open to the public
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
10
AGES 3-12 For young kids, os cubos presents various opportunities for development and learning as well as leisure and recreational activities throughout the week.
Recreation CEU Swimming Classes Leisure Weekly Movie Family Picnics Live bands Port Concert Temporary Art Installations Learning Opportunities Arts and Crafts Courses Inflatable Painting
11
= enjoyability scale
AGES 12-21 Teenagers enjoy os cubos mostly recreationally. Learning opportunities, however, are still available for them. Most teens, however, use Os Cubos to play sports and/or hang out with their friends (mostly in s or m cubos). Yet, some still participate in the community led classes, where they volunteer to teach kids how to swim or do some crafts. Recreation Swimming Classes (Instructor) Dancing Classes Water Zumba Volleyball and basketball Open Sportsplay Leisure Port Concert Temporary Art Installations Family picnics Live bands Weekly Movie = enjoyability scale
12
AGES 21-50 Adults have plenty of opportunities to use os cubos, too! Os cubos provide not only opportunities to keep everyone active, physically and within the community, but also opportunities that facilitate spending time with their family through fun and educational activities. Volunteering Water Zumba (Instructor) Arts and Crafts Courses (Instructor) Dancing Classes (Instructor) Family Activities Weekly Movie Family Picnics Temporary Art Installations Live bands Port Concert Communal Activities Community Meetings = enjoyability scale
AGES 50+ Inaddition to providing older community members with the same opportunities and activities that Os Cubos has for the rest of the community, Os Cubos provides them with small, but significant, job opportunities! Os Cubos daily morning maintenance is run by the community itself, and older members are prioritized. Work Opportunities Maintenance Leisure Weekly Movie Live bands Port concert Temporary Art Installations
Weekly Movie = enjoyability scale
SO, WHAT DOES A DAY AT OS CUBOS LOOK LIKE?
Well, a day at Os Cubos could look different for e something to offer to everyone. In the end, however, ries, exciting interactions, and lively activities tha ing spaces for people to exercise or simply hang weekly night port concerts, Os Cubos has somethin
luzia, 39
marcos, 17
MARCEL
The following pages will follow a saturday in Marcelinho as well as Julia and 13
everyone. After all, Os Cubos are a space that has a day at Os Cubos is filled with intertwining stoat can bring the community together! From providout to serving as a decorative landscape for the ng to offer to everyone.
LINO, 6
JULIA, 18
FAUSTO, 62
n the life of the family of Luzia, Marcos, and Fausto, also community members. 14
CAN YOU TAKE YOUR BROTHER TO HIS SWIMMING LESSONS?
NO! I ALWAYS TAK PLUS, I TOOK HIM MOVIES LAST N
MARCOS, 17
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT, A MOVIE IS SHOWN IN ONE OF THE L CUBOS. IT IS POWERED BY THE SOLAR ENERGY THE CUBO CAPTURES DURING THE DAY.
I’M ASKING FOR A FAVOR, MARCOS!
luzia, 39
julia, 18
THE CITY PAYS A SMALL FEE TO ELDERLY COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CLEAN UP OS CUBOS EVERY MORNING FROM 6-8AM
marcelinho, 6 CONCERT TONIGHT!
8 AM
7 AM
15
6 AM
fausto, 62
6AM-12PM
I HATE MY MOM!
CEU swimming classes? WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?
KE HIM! M TO THE NIGHT! I’M REALLY ENJOYING THE WATER ZUMBA CLASSES ON TUESDAYS! IT’S A PERFECT WAY TO EXERCISE WHILE I WAIT FOR MY KIDS TO GET OUT OF SWIMMING CLASSES!
COMMUNITY MEETINGS ALLOW PEOPLE TO DISCUSS NOT ONLY THE USAGE OF OS CUBOS BUT ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY!
LIKE MANY OF THE EVENTS IN OS CUBOS, THESE SWIMMING CLASSES ARE COMMUNITY-LED AND INSTRUCTED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY
12 PM
11 AM
10 AM
9 AM
Arts and crafts?
16
THE M CUBOS ARE RESERVED FROM 3 - 6 PM EVERY SATURDAY TO ALLOW FAMILIES TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER. SOMETIMES, IF PLANED AHEAD, EVEN L CUBOS CAN BE RESERVED FOR MULTI-FAMILY HANGOUTS!
MARCOS, 17
luzia, 39
julia, 18
looking forward to the concert tonight
marcelinho, 6
2 PM
1 PM
17
12 PM
fausto, 62
12PM - 6PM SHE’S CUTE...
CONCERT TONIGHT? HE’S CUTE...
6 PM
5 PM
4 PM
3 PM
WEEKEND VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS IN THE M CUBOS ARE A POPULAR EVENT, ESPECIALLY AMONG TEENAGER! NEARBY COMMUNITIES EACH ASSEMBLE THEIR OWN TEAMS, ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP ASSEMBLE THEIR OWN TEAMS RIGHT THERE, ON THE SPOT, AS WELL!
18
Hi, Michael Glassman
MARCOS, 17
luzia, 39
julia, 18 EVERY WEEKEND, STARTING AT 8PM, A PORT IS HOST TO A LIVE BAND WHO PERFORMS IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITY WITH OS CUBOS AS A GLOWING AND DECORAING LANDSCAPE.
marcelinho, 6
8 PM
7 PM
19
6PM
fausto, 62
6PM - 12AM
THE LANDSCAPE LOOKS SO DIFFERENT AT NIGHT!
LET’S DO IT
MARCOS AND JULIA REALLY HIT IT UP AT THE CONCERT...
12 PM
11 PM
10 PM
9 PM
Can’t wait to go to Os Cubos tomorrow again!
20
Jose Escamilla ARC 404 Mario Gandelsonas + Justin Fowler Princeton University School of Architecture 2014.