To celebrate Leo Madeiras’ 80th anniversary, the Pinheiros store in São Paulo received a new high-performance mass timber structure, supplied and erected by Urbem. The project represents the company’s first in-house assembly, consolidating its position as a provider of complete solutions for the construction industry.
The expansion included new storage areas and administrative spaces, featuring a glulam (glued laminated timber) structural system engineered to support high loads and span up to 12 meters, all without interrupting the store’s daily operations. More than 1,000 timber elements were used, totaling 148 m³ and contributing to the sequestration of approximately 115 tons of CO₂.
With a compact construction site, on-site assembly, and a dedicated team, the project was completed in just 90 days, highlighting the logistical efficiency and precision of the prefabricated system. The design also incorporates complementary materials such as drywall and cement boards, demonstrating the versatility of mass timber in hybrid construction solutions. The project stands as a clear example of structural performance combined with a commitment to more sustainable construction practices.
Location: Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil
Construction year: 2025
Total built area: 667 m²
Timber volume: 148 m³ of glulam
Architecture: Leo Madeiras
Mass timber structural design and execution: Urbem
