Isobel Bowie

Architecture (MA)

Roof Plan (Left), First Floor Plan (Right): The plan of the building features an open multifunctional space that is designed to accommodate the carnival while also being integrated within the surrounding urban environment.

Visual From the Street into the Structure: The dynamic environment curated by TPM evolves continuously and organically to adapt and meet the changing needs and activities of the samba school. To facilitate this, a variety of flexible and functional spaces are integrated for TPM to use, and transform as necessary.

Visual of the Undulating Roof (Left), Zenith Perspective of the Roof (Right): Multiple layers are created through the vaulted canopy, forming fluid, undulating shapes that contribute to the dynamic spatial experience.

Long Section Through the ‘Internal Street’: Central to the design is the ‘internal street', a large 30 by 100 metre vault that extends through the building along a distinct axis. The space opens up directly from the road, continuing the urban passage and facilitating the flow of the samba parade directly through the building. This new route represents more than a physical passage; providing a path, platform and new stage for reimagining the tradition of samba through this unique contemporary vision.

About

Passagem de Samba

Isobel is an architectural designer based in London. This year, she was part of ADS9, where she explored the architectural theme of openness that empowers emerging ways of living. She focused on architecture that merges the boundaries between structure, street, and sky, subtly concealing communal spaces within.

Set in Rio de Janeiro, this project encompasses a samba school for Turma da Paz de Madureira (TPM), an all-female samba school, to continue evolving their cultural practices through samba and community activities. Characterised by nine vaults spanning diagonally across the site, the design envisions urban rooms defined by an undulating brick canopy. Subtle modifications to the groundwork create an open, multifunctional space designed to accommodate intimate interactions within small groups, while also being adaptable for a carnival parade to pass through.

This design blurs the lines between performance space, communal areas, and cultural hubs, through the interplay of public and private vaulted forms. When viewed from one orientation, the building is integrated with the street, encouraging fluid movement through the building. But from the other angle the design creates breaks and pauses through moments of enclosed and intimate spaces. The cantilevers on the canopy extend outwards, blurring the lines between inside and outside, creating a space that is not an isolated entity but rather an extension of the city itself.

What is unique about this samba school is that it provides a permanent space for TPM, who otherwise use space in a very impermanent way. By doing this, the samba school helps provide a platform for these women to continue their innovative activities within their cultural tradition.

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