PETARBio is an architectural proposal for a center dedicated to the education, research, and restoration of the Atlantic Forest, located within the PETAR conservation unit in Iporanga, São Paulo, Brazil. It is strategically positioned near local facilities.
The program includes educational areas, research laboratories, wildlife nurseries, and communal spaces for visitors and researchers. The layout responds to the topography of the terrain, preserving native vegetation and minimizing environmental impact. Circulation is organized through elevated paths and walkways that connect the center to the river and the surrounding forest.
The project was inspired by the urgent need to preserve the Atlantic Forest and by the potential of architecture to reconnect people with nature through sensitive and intelligent design. PETAR, with its geological and biological richness, inspires a proposal that emerges from the ground — incorporating elements that echo the region’s caves, rivers, and mountainous topography.
The design embraces biomorphism to reflect organic forms, applies fractal geometry to generate spatial fluidity and harmony, and adopts green architecture principles to ensure environmental responsibility. The educational area is placed underground, referencing the surrounding cave systems, while the main façade features a second skin that resembles the branching of tree limbs — naturally filtering light and creating a welcoming gesture. More than a building, the center functions as a living system where research, learning, and nature converge.
