Video

Branded buildings and the new Brazilian real estate market

Branded residences are gaining increasing space in the Brazilian real estate market. In cities such as São Paulo and Balneário Camboriú, developments signed by brands like Lamborghini, Porsche, and Armani are reshaping the traditional logic of housing. These properties are not sold merely as physical living spaces, but as symbols of status, prestige, and belonging.

The structure behind this model is straightforward. The brands do not build or sell the properties themselves; they license their names and collect royalties based on total sales value. In return, the developments achieve an average price premium of up to 47% in emerging markets such as Brazil. For investors, what was once a cost becomes a differentiation tool in an already saturated market.

These buildings tend to attract high-net-worth buyers, often from agribusiness and industrial sectors, who are interested in converting financial capital into symbolic capital. In practice, however, many projects deliver little beyond the brand name: tight floor plans, standard finishes, and designs that could exist without any association with an international brand.

From an environmental standpoint, the challenges are clear. The materials and construction methods used in developments of this scale usually carry a high carbon footprint. Even when sustainability certifications are included, the commitment often remains at the level of discourse and does not change the technical core of the buildings.

Want to understand how these mechanisms work from the inside?

Watch the full video and explore the financial, technical, and symbolic dynamics behind branded buildings that are reshaping the urban landscape of Brazilian cities.

Disclaimer: The video is in Brazilian Portuguese, but simultaneous translation and subtitles are available in multiple languages.

UGREEN

No one makes good sustainability decisions without a solid foundation

That’s why the UGREEN Pass was created for those who deal with sustainability and don’t want to make decisions without proper grounding.

It is a continuous learning platform for those who want to build a solid foundation in sustainability, with clear, structured content that can be applied to both professional and personal decision-making.

The goal is simple: to ensure you can incorporate sustainability wherever you work or live, with confidence and sound judgment.

Want to learn more about the UGREEN Pass? Access the link below and explore the program!

If you need help, talk to our team on WhatsApp!

News

Exhibition in China showcases real zero-emissions buildings

On January 28th, 2026, the exhibition “Building Type / Climate Zero” opened to the public at Langyuan Station in Beijing, China. The presentation features the results of the Sino-Swiss Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB) Project, a five-year initiative. Its central goal is to demonstrate that it is indeed possible to construct buildings that produce no carbon emissions.

The event marks the conclusion of the collaboration between Switzerland and China that began in 2021. The project brought together more than 100 experts, as well as 30 companies and universities from both countries. Its objective was to test and adapt Swiss low-carbon solutions to China’s climatic and urban conditions.

Visitors can explore ten pilot projects that have already been built. They are located across different regions of China, ranging from mountainous areas to tropical zones. The buildings were designed using specific technologies to reduce or eliminate emissions, such as natural ventilation, integrated solar energy systems, and thermally controlled façades.

The exhibition was divided into three sections:

• Research and data: panels compare Chinese and Swiss building standards, explaining that assessment goes beyond operational energy use to include embodied carbon in materials;

• Project photography: images taken by Swiss photographers document the completed buildings.

• Culture and technology: one highlight is the printing of excerpts from the ancient Chinese construction treatise Yingzao Fashi onto solar panels, illustrating how tradition and innovation can coexist.

The construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, and China leads the world in new building volume. Reducing emissions in Chinese buildings has the potential to significantly influence global climate targets.

The main phase of the project was completed at the end of 2025. In 2026, the results are being presented to the public through the exhibition and other diplomatic initiatives. The cooperative framework between the two countries remains active. The initiative was part of the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China, and new projects focused on entirely zero-emission districts are already under discussion, expanding on the lessons learned from the “pilot buildings”.