The Autonomous Section of Mechanical Engineering is a striking architectural ensemble designed by Adalberto Dias, consisting of two distinct yet harmonious structures. The primary building is a grand parallelepiped that houses workshops, laboratories, an amphitheater, classrooms, administrative quarters, and offices. This design caters to a variety of functional needs, each with unique spatial requirements. Complementing this is a smaller structure with a gracefully curved roof, home to a coffee shop and terrace, offering a serene space for leisure.

Inside the parallelepiped, the design adheres strictly to the architectural plan, featuring a vast, dramatically illuminated area that reaches three times the ceiling height, adjacent to the nearly blank southeast façade. This space is anchored by a main staircase at its end, while most other areas open towards the opposite façade, creating an expansive glassed-in section. This design choice underscores the architect’s intent to emphasize the building’s large dimensions, using elements that match its scale. The side entrance from the gallery leads to a completely blank top façade, adding to the building’s imposing presence.

Adalberto Dias’s innovative use of materials is evident in the façades, where he alternates between horizontal alignments of recessed and projecting bricks. This technique creates a textured surface of a much larger scale than typically seen, harmonizing with the building’s grand dimensions and reinforcing its architectural statement.