Back in Brazil, I got to work at once. For two years we developed the project with a team of consultants of the highest quality, all the support of the clients, a respectful and rewarding working relationship with the architects, when in their respective territories each gave the last word.

​

The execution of the civil works in the external areas was monitored by our office and the execution of all vegetation was carried out by us for a year and a half. ​

​

The intention of the clients was to have a park for the leisure of the employees and this gave me the opportunity to make the trees the protagonists. I am proud to have had the pioneering spirit of 20 years ago bringing to the corporate world the beauty of trees like Cariniana, Lecythis pisonis, Hymenaea courbaril, Paubrasilia echinate, true jewels of our forests. This had not been seen then, and today I see that it contributes to spreading the practice. It was exceedingly difficult and almost impossible to get good, large trees, which made us pan them two years one by one. Many search trips with the tireless help of Mr. Walter Doering.​

​

Considering that a large part of the garden was on slabs, finding enough good soil to fill them would be a huge difficulty, which was solved with an opportunity that could not be missed, the excavation of the basement of a building that was being built on Avenida Paulista. We have incredibly good quality hilltop soil there. This material was stored on the plot of land next to the construction site and prepared to be deposited over on the slabs, as the work allowed us. And so it was, a long process of preparation and execution of the gardens. ​

In a respectable attitude of urbanity, the gardens extend to the Hyatt Hotel. The simultaneous work of the bank's headquarters and the hotel, made it possible during the Hyatt project to take advantage of the garden view, since the idea of exploring the Pinheiros River faded when they came into contact with its incomprehensible unsanitary health. I designed the connection, enabling integrated access to the two buildings, freeing the garden for hotel guests as well.

​

I am grateful to have participated in this process where I experienced the satisfaction of a good deed. 

 

 

THE PROJECT

​

Set in an area of approximately 10,000 m², the gardens of the new BankBoston headquarters in São Paulo were designed to bring the a expression of natural woods, providing its users with well-being while in contact with nature.​

The line of the project seeks to integrate with the architecture of the building through the layout of paths, the layout of squares and living spaces, the trees and forms of water that embrace the main access, reflecting and mimicking the building and the garden.​

​

The water mirror, as if drawing the building's roots, runs through small waterfalls to a lake with fish and aquatic plants. This path provides a variety of delicate sounds, not random. On the opposite side, next to the auditorium, the mirror becomes a black water slide with large stone benches surrounding it, being the orchestra's backdrop when the windows are open.

​

The paths and spaces were designed in such a way that different sensations are experienced when walking through the garden, either by proximity to water or by the sound it produces, or even by the different structures of vegetation, providing warmth, shade and rest under the sun.​

​

Two squares arranged diagonally, that of the cafeteria and that of the yellow magnolias, offer the possibility of a collective living with different appropriations and access options. Chess tables and granite backgammon, benches, cafes, in the shade and sun were the chosen elements. The flowered pergola, with filtered light and benches at the edge of the watercourse facing the island of Plinia caulifloras surrounded by small waterfalls, a lake with carp and the square of Libidibia ferreas provide retreat, in a more reserved use. ​

​

The choice of floor materials was made to make them compatible to those used in the building, characterizing their different uses: pebbles in longer walks and sitting areas; and Portuguese mosaic on the fastest routes. The car access was developed organically having been placed to the right of the property in order to integrate with the garden, without fragmenting the green area. The ocher-colored Portuguese mosaic was reserved for pedestrian circulation and gray granite for the cars, reducing the visual impact of the drive and making its use shared with pedestrians comfortable.

​

Made mostly on a slab with the planting of large trees and palms, many of them over 10 meters high, the garden was made possible by a structural project that met the needs of volumes, and the thickness of soil suitable for each selected species. ​

​

The garden had the ground designed with major and minor reliefs along sinuous shapes in order to drive the plastic interest and enjoyment, creating openings and closings where the desired and the unforeseen coexist. ​

​

The selected plant species are largely Brazilian. The exotic ones were chosen because they have some very expressive particularities and because they adapt to the difficult environmental conditions in the city of São Paulo. ​

​

The vegetation also has an educational character when reclaiming native species from our forests that have practically disappeared from our plant repertoire. Trees such as Hymenaea courbaril, Hevea brasiliensis, Cariniana and Lecythis pisonis were treated by the project as elements of great importance and gained prominence when planted in different places. ​

​

Pau-brasil (Paubrasilia echinate), as a tree species of great national significance, that gave the name to our country and is in extinction, was honored when they were planted in groups on the central island located in front of the main access to the building.​

​

Different sets of trees characterize and identify distinct sectors of the project, such as the square of the Cafeteria Square, the yellow magnolias of the Auditorium Square, the grove of jaboticaba trees (Plinia caulifloras), the guarirobas (Syagrus oleracea) next to the Hyatt or the grove of Lophantheras along the main access walkway.

​

The jambo (Syzygium jambos), the Amherstia nobilis and the Tabebuia trees were selected because of their spectacular blossom; while the  presence of Jacaranda mimosifolia, in addition to its flowering, was due to the generosity of its crown. In the species selection criteria, the alternation of flowering of trees was ensured throughout the year, in order to reinforce the character of mutation of vegetation. ​

​

Sculptural trees were specified in the project, such as Bombax ceiba, erythrine and Plumeria rubra; others, in addition to flowering, were chosen for the beauty of their trunk, such as Lagerstroemia indica, Melaleucas and Libidibia ferrea.​

​

Fruit trees: pitanga (Eugenia uniflora), grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis), guava, jambo (Syzygium jambos), jaboticaba (Plinia caulifloras) and brazilian cherry trees next to the seating areas along the stream are attractive for birds. ​

​

The bushes and ground cover create volumes and plans of different colors and textures in order to be perceived during the walk through the garden. Some species such as Bauhinia galpinii, Quisqualis indica, Strelitzia reginae, have generous and special flowering. Gardenia and jasmine give off perfume. Others, like tall grasses of different shades, bring lightness and luminosity. Sanseveria cylindrica, Cycas revoluta and Zâmia pumila, due to their sculptural forms. ​

​

With this project, the BankBoston gardens offer the city of São Paulo a new look at urban spaces, privileging the quality of life of its inhabitants. ​

​

- this text was part of the project's descriptive sheet (2000)

​​

​