Press Release
Baffi Restaurant by Nicholas Alencar Wins the Silver A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
Nicholas Alencar acknowledged for architecture, building and structure design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 18, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Baffi Restaurant by Nicholas Alencar, designed for Alencar, has been granted the Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category. The award was conferred within the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Silver A' Design Award Explained
The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
More About Baffi Restaurant
The Baffi Restaurant is located inside Matria Parque de Flores, the largest flower park in Latin America. The project was developed to follow the existing topography, partially embedding the building into the landscape. This approach reduces visual impact and creates a close connection between architecture and nature, offering views of the lake, gardens and surrounding hills. Its structure uses natural materials and passive design strategies to provide comfort and reduce energy consumption. The result is a functional space that respects the site and enhances the experience of visitors.
About Nicholas Alencar
Nicholas Alencar is a Brazilian architect and founder of Alencar, a multidisciplinary studio that integrates architecture, urbanism, development, and project management. His work spans all stages of the built environment process, from concept development to construction and delivery, combining spatial design with strategic and operational frameworks. The practice engages in projects of varying scales, including social initiatives and large-scale developments, contributing to the transformation of urban contexts. His approach focuses on aligning design, feasibility, and execution to support the realization of complex projects and contemporary spatial experiences.
Award Record
This recognition makes Nicholas Alencar a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award
The A' Architecture Design Award is an international architectural design competition recognizing good architectural designs by best architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to architectural design studios, building contractors, structural engineering firms and architecture and design consultants from all countries. Typical entries include skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions and religious structures. The awarded architectural projects are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/architecture
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/170439
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/170439
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!170439
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/327834
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://bit.ly/45KRjlL
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Baffi Restaurant
- Function
- Restaurant
- Category
- Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture
- Colors
- Steel Blue, Light Slate Gray, Dark Slate Gray, Dark Olive Green and Dark Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Alencar
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Nicholas Alencar
- Country
- Brazil
- Recognition
- Silver A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #170439
Credits
- Image Credits
- Photographer Leonardo Finotti, Mátria, 2022.
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- The Baffi Restaurant is a landmark in contemporary Brazilian architecture, located in Matria Parque de Flores, the biggest flower park in Latin America. The project was designed to camouflage itself in the existing relief, reflecting the perfect integration between architecture, nature, and functionality. It is an example of how architecture can be both impactful and delicately inserted into the natural context.
- Inspiration
- The project was born from the dream of the Piazza family. Upon realizing the magnitude of this endeavor and what it would take to bring it to life, this dream became our dream. It was necessary to train and professionalize hundreds of residents to achieve this goal. A total of 250 people were mobilized for the single purpose of planting flowers. Residents of this small town acquired new skills and found a renewed sense of purpose, proud of the strength of their city.
- Research
- The research focused on sustainable architecture, aiming to integrate design with environmental responsibility. Using case studies and site analysis, we examined materials, climate impact, and user experience. Data was collected through field studies and expert consultations. Insights led to passive strategies that reduce energy consumption. The findings influence real-world design, promoting eco-conscious solutions that benefit both businesses and communities.
- Challenge
- The biggest challenge was balancing sustainability with feasibility. We navigated material limitations, local regulations, and budget constraints while ensuring environmental impact reduction. Socially, integrating community needs required extensive research and engagement. Technologically, adapting passive strategies to varied climates demanded innovative solutions. Overcoming these obstacles led to a resilient, efficient, and community-driven design.
- Realization and Technology
- The design was developed through an iterative process combining digital modeling and on-site adaptations. Materials were sourced locally to minimize environmental impact, with a focus on concrete fabrication techniques adapted to the region. Sustainability guided every step, from preserving the site’s natural topography to implementing passive environmental strategies. The project also involved training local workers, ensuring long-term benefits for the community and the built environment.
- Operation and Interaction
- The restaurant seamlessly blends into the landscape, inviting visitors to experience nature through architecture. Large glass openings connect indoor and outdoor spaces, offering panoramic views of the gardens. The design enhances comfort with natural ventilation and lighting, creating a warm and immersive atmosphere. Visitors engage with the space fluidly, enjoying an experience that evolves with the seasons, reinforcing a deep connection with the surrounding environment.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project started in July 2019 in Sao Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It was completed in February 2022.
- Specifications
- The Baffi Restaurant has a total area of 743.34 square meters. The full park covers a total area of 50 hectares.
- Keywords
- Restaurant, Flower Park, Brazil, Landscape, Commercial Architecture, Sustainability, Social Impact
