Selected work
Venture Building
2019 - 2020
Situation
Recreio, a small coastal town near Rio de Janeiro, sits at the heart of Brazil’s surf culture. The industry produces mountains of non-biodegradable waste with no viable collection or transformation system. Recreio Limpo, a local initiative, was trying to change that. But without commercial architecture, goodwill doesn’t scale.
The Real Problem
The waste stream existed. The social mission existed. What was missing was a model that made both economically inevitable. One where surf shops, waste pickers, and buyers all had a structural reason to participate.
The Move
Incubated Fênix inside Recreio Limpo and built the ecosystem from scratch. Redesigned waste collection to run through surf shops directly, professionalizing the role of local pickers and restoring economic dignity to their work. Shifted from recycling toxic materials to developing a proprietary 100% organic surf wax. A product with real market demand that attracted attention from Swiss R&D investors.
What Changed
A commercially viable upcycled product line launched. International investor commitment secured before the pandemic forced a halt. The model proved the thesis: impact and margin aren’t opposites. They’re the same system, designed correctly.
Situation
Recreio, a small coastal town near Rio de Janeiro, sits at the heart of Brazil’s surf culture. The industry produces mountains of non-biodegradable waste with no viable collection or transformation system. Recreio Limpo, a local initiative, was trying to change that. But without commercial architecture, goodwill doesn’t scale.
The Real Problem
The waste stream existed. The social mission existed. What was missing was a model that made both economically inevitable. One where surf shops, waste pickers, and buyers all had a structural reason to participate.
The Move
Incubated Fênix inside Recreio Limpo and built the ecosystem from scratch. Redesigned waste collection to run through surf shops directly, professionalizing the role of local pickers and restoring economic dignity to their work. Shifted from recycling toxic materials to developing a proprietary 100% organic surf wax. A product with real market demand that attracted attention from Swiss R&D investors.
What Changed
A commercially viable upcycled product line launched. International investor commitment secured before the pandemic forced a halt. The model proved the thesis: impact and margin aren’t opposites. They’re the same system, designed correctly.
