Parque Pavuna

Pavuna Park is located in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, at the upper edge of the Complexo do Chapadão favela. In a neighborhood marked by some of the city’s lowest social development indicators, the park was conceived as an open, high-quality urban facility — a green and inclusive gathering space. The park accommodates sports, leisure, and learning facilities, such as soccer, volleyball and basketball courts, a skate park, a children's playground, an outdoor gym for the elderly, food kiosks, as well as a digital inclusion and creativity center managed by the municipality.

Our design makes use of the site’s natural slope, distributing its features across different levels connected by stairs, bleachers, and ramps. New structures are integrated with native vegetation and preserved greenery, enhancing rainwater absorption and improving thermal comfort.

A standout feature is the wet plaza, anchored by a 22-meter sculpture inspired by mangrove roots, which emits water jets during the day and lights up at night. This element reimagines the traditional rooftop shower commonly found in local homes, transforming a familiar Brazilian symbol into a public landmark. Adjacent sand-covered areas evoke a beach-like atmosphere, offering a playful and inviting environment.

The park’s paved sections were treated as an additional design layer. In a simple solution that introduced dynamism to pathways and social areas, the gray concrete received painted graphic elements in colors inspired by the surroundings, such as the terracotta of exposed bricks and the blue of water tanks commonly found in Rio’s periphery homes.

Rooted in contemporary principles of landscape architecture, Pavuna Park harmonizes natural topography, existing vegetation, and multifunctional spaces to create a distinctive public space that strengthens residents’ connection to their territory.