Team Members: Lourenço

Gimenes and Rodrigo Silva

Short listed FinalistFirm: FGMF: Forte, Gimenes & Marcondes Ferraz Arquitetos

Location: Sao Paolo, Brazil

FGMF have pursued the dream of a truly complete architecture since the firm was founded. They develop buildings that respond to a sensitive and aesthetic design approach while maintaining coherence between structure, landscape, materials and sustainability.

FGMF believe that there are two different interpretations of the word sustainability. The first puts calculations before architecture in an attempt to achieve the lowest possible level of energy consumption in the final building. The second develops the overall form of the building and then a series of gadgets are fitted to control the building’s overall environmental performance.

The firm has their own understanding of sustainability. FGMF believe that good architecture is born sustainable. A well-designed building should provide answers to social issues, energy consumption, comfort, durability and its relationship to the surrounding landscape and infrastructure.

Lourenço Gimenes is the founder and Director of FGMF. He undertook his architectural studies at the University of Sao Paolo graduating in 2001. Lourenço completed a Master of Science degree in the Department of Urban Planning and Regional Studies in 2005 and is currently completing his PhD.

Rodrigo Silva graduated from the University of Sao Paolo in 2002 as an architect and urban planner. He is currently undertaking a Master of Science degree in the Department of Architecture Design. Rodrigo is also one of the founding partners of FGMF.