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Rio World Cup Design Competition

2016   I   Design Concept

LOCATION

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Discipline

Project Type

Audi Field
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Audi Field
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Project Details

In 2014, [AC-CA] Architectural Competition challenged architects worldwide to design a temporary structure for Lapa Square during Rio de Janeiro’s FIFA World Cup. Among 146 global submissions, our proposal “Rhythm of Lapa” emerged as a transformative vision that reimagined the competition’s requirements as an immersive cultural destination.

The brief demanded a multifunctional social hub featuring a café, large viewing screen, information desk, and administrative spaces while respecting the historic Arcos da Lapa aqueduct. Rather than creating conventional separated functions, our design integrated these elements into sculptural architecture inspired by Brazilian music and street life—mimicking the flow of sound waves and dance movements.

The design strategically positioned the viewing screen as a performance stage accommodating both World Cup broadcasts and live cultural events.

Café spaces flowed seamlessly into shaded gathering areas around the historic aqueduct, while interactive installations celebrating Brazilian culture were woven throughout the information and retail zones, creating multiple engagement layers within Lapa Square’s compact footprint.

The project’s innovative approach resonated far beyond the competition. In 2016, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) awarded Rhythm of Lapa the Honor Award in the Visionary Category, recognizing its bold cultural placemaking and international design excellence. This prestigious recognition validated our concept of treating competition constraints as catalysts for architectural innovation, demonstrating how temporary structures could achieve lasting cultural impact through thoughtful, community-centered design that celebrates local identity while serving global audiences.

Designed under Paola Moya’s leadership as CEO of Marshall Moya Design

Facts & Figures

Client

Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Size

100,000 SF

Status

Completed

Completion Year

2016 | Concept Design

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MOYA Design Partners, LLC. © 2025, All Rights Reserved