MASP Expansion — New Pavilion

São Paulo, Brazil, South America

Completed · Cultural · Museum Expansion Pavilion · Tropical · 2021

The underground expansion of MASP adds 8,000 m² without disrupting the Lina Bo Bardi landmark above. The new pavilion achieves zero visible structural intrusion on Paulista Avenue by routing primary loads through a basement transfer system and using a heavily insulated concrete shell to maintain climate stability without mechanical over-reliance.

Innovation highlights

• underground load transfer system preserving existing landmark superstructure
• passive thermal mass strategy reducing mechanical cooling load in a tropical city
• column-free underground spans up to 25 m using post-tensioned concrete
• natural light delivery via perimeter light courts cut into the plaza

Client / Developer

Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand

Architect

Studio MK27 (Marcio Kogan)

Engineer

Cia. de Estruturas

Type

Museum Expansion Pavilion

#underground expansion #museum #post-tensioned concrete #passive cooling #São Paulo #heritage integration

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