Vela is a large-scale mixed-use development located in Bombinhas, on the southern coast of Brazil. The architectural layout prioritizes permeability and human-scale connections. While the towers are residential, the ground floor is completely open and focus on commercial uses, creating a porous interface that invites pedestrians, cyclists, residents and visitors to circulate and engage with the public realm. The central structure houses the garage and supports a rooftop leisure deck with a pool, party halls, play areas and a gym. This solution frees the ground floor for social life while ensuring ventilated and well-located communal spaces.
Vela was born from a unique confluence of context, history, and design intuition. Located in the coastal city of Bombinhas, the project draws formal inspiration from the shape of a sail, an intentional yet serendipitous response to the triangular plot and the legacy of the landowners, the Schürmann family. Known across Brazil for sailing around the world as a family, their deep connection to the sea naturally influenced the project’s identity, allowing architecture to pay homage to their story.
At its core, Vela seeks to redefine coastal architecture through an innovative reinterpretation of building codes and urban relationships. The conventional approach in the region often places parking on the ground floor, creating physical and visual disconnection from the public realm. Vela challenges this pattern by liberating the ground level for pedestrians, commerce, and public life, weaving an internal street that encourages encounters, connection, and community vibrancy.
Urbanistically, the project addresses a critical issue: the region’s seasonal traffic congestion. Its large scale and thoughtful implementation are the result of comprehensive studies aimed at optimizing circulation and minimizing impact. The building unfolds in a linear and terraced form, respecting the natural topography while enhancing views, ventilation, and solar exposure.
Vela’s impact extends beyond its footprint. It positions itself as a transformative model, elevating the quality of urban life, boosting local commerce, attracting tourism, and setting a precedent for future developments. More than a building, Vela is a manifesto for a new way of designing the coast: prioritizing people over vehicles, encounters over isolation, and the city over individual lots. It is a landmark for Bombinhas and a beacon for coastal architecture across Santa Catarina and beyond.
