A Concrete Beast in Bahia Looks Like A Suspension Bridge

Centro de Exposições da Bahía, or Exhibition Center of the Administrative Center of Bahía in English, is a building with an unusual form that has existed since 1974 in Bahia, Brazil. The building was designed by Brazilian architect João Filgueiras Lima—better known as Lelé. This structure is a compelling example of brutalist architecture common in the 1950s.

Unusual-shaped brutalist architecture (cr: Architectuul)

The building looks like a suspension bridge carried by two identical towers on the north and south sides. The main mass is designed to float about five to six meters from the ground. It has two volumes, one on each side, with different shapes and functions. The first volume has an exhibition hall with a pyramid-shaped roof and glass windows that provide access for sunlight to penetrate the room. On the other side, the other volume has an inverted pyramid shape, which functions as an amphitheater with a capacity of 50 people.

The tower (cr: Architectuul)

In addition, there is also an underground level containing technical and storage rooms. As for the access to the building, especially vertical circulation towards the floating mass, there are voids in both towers with a base diameter of four meters. One is a circular staircase, while the other is an elevator shaft.

Longitudinal section (cr: Architectuul)

Elevator section (cr: Architectuul)

Talking about the structure, which seems like the most attractive point of this building, the transverse mass is supported entirely by the two towers with four tie rods—two on respective sides. The structure is strengthened by using concrete material in all parts of the building, from the pile foundation to the building envelope. With such a system and arrangement, the heavy mass looks as if it can easily be balanced “only” on the two “mere” towers. The building’s unusual proportions and composition make it look like a concrete beast between two streets in the middle of the site.

Structural sketch (cr: Architectuul)

Exceptional structure (cr: Architectuul)

This exceptional structure now stands in a dilapidated condition and is no longer used. It has been waiting for decades to be renovated, but no serious signs exist. The exhibition center was even labeled as “endangered” of demolition by SOS Brutalism—a database containing more than 2,000 brutalist buildings.