Between 2017 and 2022, the Museu Paulista of the University of São Paulo underwent a wide-ranging restoration and modernization project by H+F Arquitetos, in partnership with OAR and Paulicéia. The winning entry of the national competition sought to restore the integrity of the monument building and prepare it for a new museum experience, respecting its historical and cultural importance.

The intervention started from an important principle: revealing new possibilities for the building without imposing the presence of the new, establishing more integrated relationships between architecture, exhibition spaces and the Parque da Independência.

In 2020, H+F Arquitetos approached Valemam to contribute an electrical infrastructure solution suited to the particularities of the new exhibition spaces.

The challenge

To provide power points distributed across the floor, allowing flexibility in setting up and rearranging exhibitions, without compromising the look of the spaces, the existing finishes or visitor circulation.

The Valemam solution

In dialogue with the architecture team, Valemam contributed the Zigus floor box system, with semi-recessed covers, integrated into the recessed floor channels.

The solution made it possible to distribute power points discreetly and in an organized way, keeping the infrastructure accessible to technical teams and offering flexibility for different exhibition layouts.

The result

The infrastructure became a discreet part of the spaces, preserving their architectural reading and supporting the needs of a contemporary museum.

A contribution that shows how dialogue between architecture and industry can turn technical challenges into functional solutions, respecting the history of places and contributing to better experiences for everyone.

Awards for the architectural project

The Museu Paulista project received major national and international awards:

• 202224th IABsp AwardsBest Restoration Work
• 20229th Tomie Ohtake AkzoNobel Architecture AwardFinalist
• 2023Monocle Design AwardsBest Restoration Initiative
• 2023APCA AwardBest Architectural Work
• 2024Saint-Gobain AsBEA AwardBest Institutional Building and Best Project of the Edition
• 2024Iconos del Diseño Award – Architectural Digest México & LatinoaméricaRestoration Architecture category
• 20241st PROJETO Architecture AwardBest Institutional Building and Best Project of the Edition

The school's maker lab received the exposed APIS Modular Cable Tray, serving the workbenches.

Speaking in the film are Leandro Vasconcelos, architect on Valemam's design team, and Cleiton de Oliveira, the school's maker instructor.

Solution Used: Open Floor Trenches

World Trade Center Convention Center

The WTC Convention Center is the largest convention center inside a hotel complex in Latin America. It has 04 floors and more than 10,000m² divided into more than 50 flexible spaces, which can accommodate anything from large corporate and cultural events to small meetings and business gatherings. In addition, the WTC Golden Hall offers a multipurpose arena of more than 3,000m² with a 15m ceiling height, with capacity for up to 2,500 people.

Objectives & Needs

The WTC Convention Center offers a clear, open area intended to accommodate a wide range of companies for their business meetings and events. To that end, the whole cabling design set out to include power, voice and data outlets, strategically spaced, meeting the needs of future installations. The solution presented had to harmonize with the finish used in the floor, thereby maintaining aesthetic continuity.

Valemam Solution

The open trench system was the solution deployed in the WTC Complex. In this case, by avoiding the use of a raised access floor, the final cost of the works was reduced by 60%. A striking characteristic of this system was the absence of floor boxes; all the cabling therefore comes straight out of the trenches and feeds the outlets specified in the design, using interchangeable covers. The cover finish follows the same pattern as the existing floor, creating uniformity in the architecture of the complex.

Final Result

The solution Valemam presented in this project stood out as an economical alternative, yet with a high aesthetic and functional standard. So once again Valemam delivered an innovative project, standing out among the companies in the segment by offering the best solutions available on the market.

Solution Used: Hinged Trunking

O Metrô convidou a Valemam para criar a solução em canaletas aparentes de um projeto especial, ajustada às necessidades específicas de suas instalações que possuem características peculiares quanto à saída de pontos de iluminação, acessórios especiais e dimensões. A solução que iniciou na estação Paulista foi extremamente competente e seguiu atendendo as demais estações da Linha Amarela.

Objectives & Needs

Accommodating the cabling of the boarding platforms with a parallel system. The solution for this case had to follow a number of guidelines, among them:

• Highly durable, corrosion-resistant material;
• Easy maintenance access to the part, with a secure closing system;
• Compliance with the technical standards set in the project documents;
• Powder epoxy paint finish in the requested color, with 80 microns of protection.

Valemam Solution

We developed a parallel system, fixed to the sides of the platform. In this surface trunking system, dividing septa were inserted into a 180x50x1500mm trunking. We adapted the heights of the closures of each channel for better seating of the cables, and so managed to increase the usable area in each section (approximately 80% of the free area). The system with a snap-in cover made for greater practicality and a perfect epoxy paint finish, in the color requested in the design.

Final Result

2,500 linear meters of the trunking were installed along the platforms. The project made for better accommodation of the cables, allowing the cabling system to be unified, as well as all the convenience of access and maintenance. Deploying this solution avoided the use of more than 2,000 meters of conduit, thereby providing a clear aesthetic gain and a considerable reduction in the final cost of the works.

Solution Used: FROG Hinged Trunking

Mackenzie – MackGraphe Laboratory

The Center for Advanced Research in Graphene, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology is the first private center of excellence for research in this field in Latin America. The project is a partnership between Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie (IPM) and Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie.

Objectives & Needs

There was a need to develop a competent structure for surface support of wires and cables, with outlets for sockets and connectors, which above all would guarantee SAFETY, FLEXIBILITY AND PRACTICALITY.

Valemam Solution

The hinged system of the FROG line was the solution approved for use in the graphene research laboratories. Flexibility, safety and practicality were the deciding factors in the choice made by the institute's researchers.

Final Result

The successful implementation of the FROG line inside the institute's laboratories gave researchers and students access to power with greater convenience and safety, bringing major improvements to the working environment.

Solution Used: Shared Charging Stations

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there was an increase in the flow of people circulating through the airport area. The comfort and convenience offered by the totems would therefore be benefits of fundamental importance in guaranteeing improvements to the experience of airport users.

Objectives & Needs

Phones, tablets and smartphones have stopped being simple devices. They have become multifunctional solutions. With that in mind, an airline opted for a pioneering project deployed in a space in the terminal at Guarulhos Airport, São Paulo. The proposal was to enable connectivity through totems able to charge devices while passengers waited to board their flight.

Valemam Solution

Bearing in mind that not just any totem model would suit the situation, the project opted for Valemam's Totem Charger Piso. The product has the USB feature, which is universal, while the outlet is standardized by region. In Brazil, for example, there are three pins. Without that adapter, it would not be possible to serve the various device models.

Final Result

In this case functionality was combined with aesthetics and strength. It is a handsome material with excellent stability, since it is made entirely of aluminum. There are no parts considered fragile in the Totem Charger Piso. Installation of Valemam's material was accompanied by the company's full technical support, which understood exactly the conditions of the site in order to make the process feasible. Approximately 100 totems were supplied, with 400 electrical outlets and 400 USB.

Solution Used: FROG Hinged Trunking

Senac Piracicaba has approximately 5,210 square meters of built area, comprising 37 teaching spaces and an auditorium with capacity for 150 people. The project also included the restoration of the old Guerrini family mansion, built at the beginning of the 20th century and listed in January 2003 by the Conselho de Defesa do Patrimônio Cultural de Piracicaba (Codepac); the mansion houses the institution's administrative area.

Objectives & Needs

Senac Piracicaba came to Valemam with the aim of bringing innovation to its facilities, using a product that would offer a technical advantage, convenience and speed of installation, as well as ease of layout change and a modern look.

Valemam Solution

To modernize the teaching spaces and classrooms, the solution found was the FROG Hinged Trunking line. Bringing greater accessibility to the students, teachers and staff of the institution.

Final Result

The FROG Hinged Trunking was installed up to 5 times faster than the model used previously, guaranteeing ease of layout changes in the Senac spaces, as well as providing quality and functionality to the site.

Solution Used: Metal Skirting Trunking

The Mahle Complex is located beside the Rodovia dos Bandeirantes, heading from the interior to the capital. More than 300 professionals work at this large Technology Center, where research and evaluation of engine materials and components is carried out for clients that are predominantly automakers.

Objectives & Needs

The whole design was conceived around the need to route cables in test areas and laboratories. The positioning of the equipment in the test areas and the varying quantity of cables in each sector led us to think of a versatile, flexible solution. The cabling varied along its route, requiring accessories such as bends, tees, crosses and others.

Valemam Solution

We adopted the three-compartment metal skirting trunking, considering it the best solution for the areas of the project. We chose to work with three modules of varying dimensions, thereby meeting the variations presented. Being a modular solution, all the complementary accessories would adapt perfectly to the trunking, meeting the demand presented. The raw material for each part was selected carefully and prototypes were then developed with varying radii.

Final Result

The installations optimized the operational system in the Mahle laboratories, as well as guaranteeing high flexibility throughout the company's system.

Solution Used: APIS Modular Cable Tray

Escola Móbile was founded in 1975, as a project by a group of educators from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP). Concerned with the direction of education, they put together a detailed pedagogical plan. When they contacted Valemam, the school's aim was to offer greater flexibility to students, as well as to optimize the teaching spaces.

Objectives & Needs

The great need and challenge of the project was to bring speed, functionality and beauty to the distribution and provision of power, voice, data and lighting outlets for the students of Escola Mobile.

Valemam Solution

The solution applied was the APIS Modular Cable Tray, a light surface system made of aluminum, applied to the ceiling like a “honeycomb”. With quick-connect fittings and power outlets distributed along the whole profile.

Final Result

Concerned with serving the client exclusively and to a high standard, Valemam took care to produce the APIS profiles in dimensions that would follow the modularity of the ceiling already existing in the Mobile school room, providing a beautiful aesthetic advantage.

Solution Used: EMA Articulated Column

Founded in 1893, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, better known as POLI, is the first engineering school in the state of São Paulo. The CAEC (Comissão Administrativa da Engenharia Civil) had a long-standing request from students, whose aim was to increase the number of outlets in spaces intended for common use, such as the study areas.

Objectives & Needs

The aim was to allow more students to make use of the university space, with power and network outlets provided for connecting laptops, tablets and smartphones – mobile devices widely used by students.

Valemam Solution

The EMA Articulated Column line was the most suitable solution, since it allows vertical transitions in places further from the wall, adapting to various heights and offering convenience in installation or reconfiguration of the space.

Final Result

After the successful implementation of the project developed by Valemam, POLI students gained greater access to power, bringing an improvement to the hours devoted to study.

Solution Used: Open Floor Trench

Valemam followed the project through all its stages, from the start to completion. We carried out a project survey and offered technical support to successfully meet the aim of distributing wires and cables in a floor grid that was not concreted.

Objectives & Needs

Distributing wires and cables in an unconcreted floor grid, providing easy access to the system for maintenance and making it possible to open new power and data outlets, making layout changes easier.

Valemam Solution

The solution presented by Valemam was the Open Floor Trench, with an interchangeable cover system, granite finish and floor boxes with polished aluminum covers.

Final Result

The project was a success and met with satisfaction; more than 50 Caixa Econômica Federal branches in Brazil were served with the products and Open Floor Trench solutions offered by Valemam.

Solution Used: FROG Hinged Trunking

Yamaha Musical do Brasil

Yamaha Musical do Brasil held an opening event for the new address of the Yamaha Music School, in Vila Olímpia, São Paulo. The school is an initiative of Yamaha Musical and, in Brazil, has already been running for more than four years. Worldwide, it has more than 50 years of investment in music education in more than 40 countries.

Objectives & Needs

The aim of the project was to provide an independent alternative for distributing electrical, voice, data and audio infrastructure in spaces with complete acoustic isolation, free from the influence of external noise.

Valemam Solution

Being a surface and fully modular system, the FROG Hinged Trunking was the alternative chosen. The project involved vertical transitions with the feed coming from the ceiling and very specific audio and video modules.

Final Result

With the FROG Hinged Trunking it was possible to overcome the challenge of applying a practical, functional solution for spaces that are adjacent and at the same time acoustically isolated from each other.

Solution Used: adapted EMA Articulated Column

To distribute power and data systems in Sodexo's dynamic work environment, Valemam created a customized version of the EMA Articulated Column. This is one of our classic examples of how co-creation is the most appropriate method for delivering the best result: working with Sodexo, we found the solution for distributing cables without limiting the mobility and dynamism of the space.

Objectives & Needs

Sodexo's aim was to create a dynamic workspace where the company's staff could interact with one another and with the space freely, simply and practically. The structure of the wiring systems and power outlets had to offer mobility and ease of reconfiguration within the workplace.

Valemam Solution

We developed the solution with Sodexo, not for Sodexo. Working from the co-creation method, we determined that adaptations would be made to one of the products in the Valemam Premium line, the EMA Articulated Column. We used the structure suspended, fixed to the ceiling, leaving the area nearer the floor clear.

Final Result

With the suspended EMA Articulated Column in place, the whole space gained greater dynamism. The area near the floor can stay clear, which allows quick and agile reconfiguration and mobility within Sodexo's innovation space, so that staff can use the place in multiple ways.

Solution Used: In-seat power strip for shared charging

The challenge of the Viação Cometa project was to develop a solution that would offer power and USB outlets for recharging mobile equipment (phones, tablets, smartphones) comfortably, while the passenger waits for access to the bus to start their journey. We created an intelligent solution that builds technology and convenience into its design.

Objectives & Needs

To offer better service, Viação Cometa decided to look for a solution that would allow mobile devices to be recharged in its spaces. That way, while passengers wait to board the bus, they could charge their phone, tablet, laptop and other devices.

Valemam Solution

We developed an almost imperceptible solution in the seat rails specified by Viação Cometa. The whole solution follows a standard pattern with 10 Ampere outlets and USB ports at 5V, so that users can use the service simply, compactly and safely.

Final Result

The project was very well received by Viação Cometa's management. It is already being deployed not only in São Paulo but also in Rio de Janeiro, and the expectation is that the solution can be scaled up as the stations are upgraded. That way the spaces will be modernized gradually.

Solution Used: FROG desk outlet modules

The new offices of the company Maria Farinha Filmes were looking for a solution that would allow easy access to power outlets at the workstations. At the invitation of the practice +K Arquitetura, we developed a customized solution in which the modules adapted easily to the furniture proposed in the design.

Objectives & Needs

At the invitation of the practice +K Arquitetura we were consulted on developing this product for the client Maria Farinha Filmes. The aim was to develop a practical, modular solution for access to power, network and USB outlets at every workstation.

Valemam Solution

We developed a simple solution for application to the furniture tops. The solution provided power, network and USB charging points in a pre-configured cluster that fitted underneath each desk.

Final Result

With the outlet modules in place, we were able to record the final result and understand that the solution brought lightness and convenience by allowing easy access to the power outlets available in the furniture.

Solution Used: Zigus recessed floor boxes

One of the largest consumer electronics and appliance chains in the country, Fast Shop backed a new store concept to strengthen its omnichannel strategy. The first store project was designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The concept called for an electrical infrastructure solution that could be almost imperceptible, respecting and aligning with the premises of the design.

Objectives & Needs

The initial aim was to offer an alternative that could distribute power outlets in harmony with the floor finishes of the store spaces.

Valemam Solution

Together with the Fast Shop engineering and architecture team, we began intensive work of research and development of the first prototypes. The approved models were made of aluminum and had covers with openings sized according to the dimensions of the feet of the furniture designed. The alternative proved discreet and at the same time highly functional.

Final Result

The first store was a success. And Valemam was responsible for developing the entire power distribution and supply system with its in-screed floor duct boxes and modules. Also serving other new projects by the same Fast Shop group.