The Cargill Group develops processes to make innovation common practice in all of its business installations throughout the world. It is this vision that stands behind the Center for Innovation set up in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, where the aim is to connect customers to experiences and to possibilities for the creation of innovative solutions.ST Arquitetura has been involved since the beginning of this process, at the end of 2007, up until delivery of the Center in its full working capacity and it was our task to develop the entire concept for the building and assist the Company in finding potential locations for the project. The chosen site has a stand of eucalyptus trees and the design sought to respect the original characteristics of the area, avoiding the removal of earth and conserving the local vegetation.Following the lines of the dips and curves in the land, the project sought to smooth out the difference between the levels for the various modules of the building, making it fully accessible to all types of public, handicapped or otherwise.The architectural inspiration came from the characteristics of the location, which gave rise to the curved format for the building. Based on the principles of sustainability from the moment of conception, the chosen construction system uses a framework and curved pre-cast concrete panels. Large open areas were incorporated to maintain natural ambient lighting and the use of reflective glass and “brise-soleils “ allows light to enter, but not heat, keeping the inside temperature comfortable and thereby reducing the need to use air conditioning.The internal areas for the circulation of personnel are fitted with light sensors and dimmable fluorescent reactors that only come on when necessary and only to the required degree. The fluorescent lighting and the reactors are the most modern available, longer-lasting and with a minimum residue of mercury at the end of their working life. Solar power is used to heat the water for the faucets in the laboratories and for the showers and a modern water re-utilization and sewage treatment system means that the water is constantly recycled, releasing a minimum of effluents into the environment. The water is directed to the lavatories and for the watering the gardens, which is done via a drip system. The materials use in this project were also chosen for their sustainability in order to avoid deforestation; the wooden floors’ tiles in the high-traffic areas re-forested eucalyptus groves and the sub-floors are made from ecological concrete containing recycled material from PET bottles.