CANADIAN CONSULATE, SAO PAULO

Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. (Toronto) and Loeb Associates (Sao Paulo) were in 1999, awarded the task of creating an installation of consular offices for the Canadian Government in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Occupying a complete 2000 square metre floor in a new high rise building, this consulate accommodates one of the largest and busiest Canadian consular trade missions in the World.

The KMA design developed three distinct and separate public lobbies, one of which is the main reception room for the consulate, one for visa and immigration purposes, and another for trade and hospitality uses in a multi-purpose room. These areas are arranged around the building core in such a way as to provide a continuous line of security for the consular offices that surround the floor perimeter. KMA provided the overall design of the project and assembled a team of Canadian and Brazilian engineering and specialty consultants.

The Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil was the first DFAIT project undertaken by KMA. The experience gained on this project in relation to team coordination (leading two full consultant teams, one in Canada and one abroad) has given Project Design Architect Peter Ng the ability to manage very large teams. Peter is currently working on the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei for DFAIT. Identity was again a key issue for this project. Particular focus was paid to the entry ways and public areas allowing the Consulate to establish a distinctive visual impression on visitors and employees alike.