AtelierVivo

A collaborative design-build project for the Casa de Uru – Bird Observatory, developed through a partnership between the Catholic University of Pernambuco and the University of Nantes (France). The project began with six months of collaborative design development alongside the Xukuru leadership (2025.2). This was followed by the construction of the observatory on the university campus (2026.1). Once completed, the project was formally handed over to our partner and client, Iran Xukuru (@iranxukuru), representative of the Jupago Kreká Indigenous Collective (@jupagokreka). The observatory was then carefully dismantled, and all of its components were transported by truck to the Xukuru do Ororubá Indigenous Territory, in Pesqueira, Pernambuco, approximately 220 km from Recife. There, the long-awaited Casa de Uru was permanently reassembled. Here we share the project’s journey—from the earliest stages of architectural conception to the inaugural use of the Casa de Uru by the Jupago Kreká Collective.

TECHNICAL CREDITS
Project Realization
Catholic University of Pernambuco – UNICAP ICAM
Department of Complexity Engineering (@eng.complexidade/)
Department of Architecture and Urbanism (@arquiteturaunicap)
Ateliervivo Collective

Client and Consultant
Iran Xukuru – Jupago Kreká Indigenous Collective

Project Coordinators
Fernando Nogueira
Perseu Padre
Lula Marcondes
Múcio Jucá

Collaborating Faculty
Ana Eliza Lopes
Andrea Câmara
Antônio José da Cruz
Hilário Bezerra

Collaborating Architect
Natan Nigro

Teaching Assistant
Milena Brito

Laboratory Technicians
Albino da Silva
Wlademir Carvalho

Builders
Arlindo Ferreira – Carpenter
Izaque Jeremias – Metalworker
Moacyr Filho – Carpenter’s Assistant
Rivelino Correia – Carpenter
Wladyson José – Metalworker

Participating Students
Abigaelle Corvoisier, Athenais Desroses, Eléna Durand, Etienne Morel, Gaspard Larcanche, Heloise Sleziak, Hugo Bourges, Jules Pinel, Juliette Ritow, Louis Vrau, Maxime de Thomas, Oscar Porte, Pierre Riviere, Shane Mardokh, Thibault Camus, Thomas Delattre, Titouan Le Page, Walter Bardouil.