MANÁ: proposta arquitetônica de um complexo de artes culinárias em Natal/RN.

Abstract

This work contemplates the preliminary design of a Culinary Arts Complex in the city of Natal, Brazil, integrating a gastronomy school and a restaurant under the restaurant-school typology. The proposal was based on the understanding of gastronomy as a cultural and artistic language, associated with the need for spaces that combined technical training, sensory experience, and appreciation of local food culture. The importance of incorporating sustainable solutions was also considered, in response to the environmental impacts generated by both the food production chain and the construction industry. The project followed the main guideline of using industrialized construction systems with lower environmental impact, with emphasis on engineered wood — such as CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and MLC (Glue-Laminated Timber) — which allowed greater efficiency in construction processes, waste reduction, and aesthetic enhancement of the material. The work was based on diverse bibliographic references, analysis of related architectural projects, and the specific constraints of the site and surrounding urban context. As a result, the design proposed a predominantly horizontal building, with a total built area of 2,157.63 m², distributed over two levels that followed the natural topography. The school and restaurant sectors were organized in an integrated manner, in a proposal that reinforces the principles of rationality, sustainability, and contextual appreciation.