Ecomuseum

Founded and established in São Paulo, the multidisciplinary firm Superlimão is designing its first project in Amapá – its third in the North region of the country. Recognized for its ability to blend technology and sustainability, its respect for vernacular techniques, and its special focus on the regions where its projects are implemented, Superlimão was invited to design the Ecomuseum of Macapá, the capital of Amapá. The museum will be part of Amaparque, one of the largest urban parks in the world, with a project developed by Phytorestore, a pioneer in phytoremediation, a technology that treats soil and water contamination using plants and microbial communities. Using the concept of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) to develop large-scale territorial projects aimed at renaturalizing environments and restoring landscapes and biodiversity, the complex aims to reconnect local communities to their land and biodiversity, while also shedding light on the daily challenges faced by their residents, particularly those related to the water system. Located amidst the Amazon Rainforest, on the banks of the Amazon River Delta, Amapá is a state rich in biodiversity, where water plays a fundamental role: as a means of transportation, a recreational space, and even as a shelter. Stilt houses, houses built in floodplains, are common in Macapá and were one of the main subjects of study for the Superlimão team, as they carry a strong cultural heritage in their forms, materials, and construction techniques, and are intelligently adapted to the region's hot and humid climate. The firm immersed itself in the local culture and, based on the concepts of sustainable and vernacular architecture, implemented all the buildings on the site, considering climate factors and the local context. Each was inspired by construction techniques and characteristics of various regional architectures, such as indigenous, riverside, and European. The firm blended vernacular techniques with current technology, seeking not only energy optimization but also the appreciation of local techniques that have been replaced by buildings similar to those found in other urban centers, without any adaptation to the local climate. THE ECOMUSEUM The project is divided into four main buildings: the Oca, the Multipurpose Room, the Auditorium, and the Permanent Exhibition. 850m² is dedicated to the ecosystems, culture, and art of the Amazon region of Amapá, as well as the scientific collection of the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Amapá (IEPA). For the first building, the Oca, the proposal was to explore indigenous architectural techniques, due to their structural efficiency, ample interior space, and high ceilings. This choice also contributed to the display of a unique collection: the bones of two whales rescued by IEPA researchers, creating a parallel with the world's leading natural history museums. The region's fauna is the main theme of this accessible area – for example, there are displays that showcase species using holograms. 3D models are also designed to allow the visually impaired to interact with the content. After several studies on the energy efficiency of materials, ceramic tiles were chosen to enclose the building's calendered metal structure, which has a shape designed to allow cross-ventilation and upward airflow like a chimney effect, eliminating the need for air conditioning in the main hall. To complement the distinctive geometry, the ceramic tiles were developed specifically for the project in conjunction with a pottery factory located nearby. The Multipurpose Room and Auditorium were positioned near the edges of the site, creating a plaza at the heart of the project. They feature two reflecting pools that receive and treat rainwater and channel it for reuse—allowing visitors to see the results of Phytorestore's treatment. Each building has a façade that is more exposed to sunlight. To optimize indoor climate control, both buildings feature a second-skin, ventilated façade panel with a design inspired by local graphics and composed of bricks in different shades of regional clay. Paths that provide shade and protection from the rain are essential to ensure visitors' comfort in the region's climate. Therefore, visitors can navigate the entire complex via covered walkways, designed for the açaí palm, a typical tree of the region, to blend in with the landscape. The modular walkway is covered with solar panels and constructed of a wooden structure composed of two species of regional trees, each used according to its best efficiency. Acapu wood for the pillars and Angelim wood for the beams. The same walkway module is given a new composition to provide shade for the Permanent Exhibition, a building located on stilts in the wetland area. The design of this roof was inspired by the water lily, a local aquatic plant that helps clean the water. The Permanent Exhibition's layout was organized based on the Wajãpi graphic (which represents the boa constrictor), creating a linear and continuous journey that guides visitors to two main exhibition halls, focused on the state's ecosystems. The entire project was developed with ease of material transportation, maintenance, and durability in mind, ensuring the museum remains well-preserved and integrated with the culture of Amapá. Furthermore, Superlimão is leading an expography project to integrate the exhibition spaces. Following the principle of easy maintenance and durability, the project employs display flexibility and simple yet impactful technologies, through interactive projections on physical models, holography, modular displays, and dioramas.