Modernist Mall in Brasília Relies on Penetron Technology for Durable Concrete Structures

The September 2025 inauguration of the US$80 million Shopping Manhattan Mall in Brasília (DF), Brazil, revealed the capital city’s newest commercial and leisure destination. PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, protects the mall’s multi-story below-grade concrete structures from high groundwater levels prevalent in the region.

Completed 60 years ago as a utopia of modernist architecture, Brasília, the capital of Brazil, was designed around an airplane-shaped “Plano Piloto” with a series of residential “quadrants” situated along the airplane’s wings. The quadrants contained residential buildings, hospitals, and schools – all connected to government buildings in the airplane’s cockpit through a highway network. Today, the city, with a population of around 5 million across the metropolitan area, is surrounded by a string of 27 satellite cities but remains dynamic and livable – rather than a sterile relic of a utopian ideal. In fact, the Human Development Index* puts Brasília on par with many wealthier countries like England and France.

Designed by Aflalo Gasperini Arquitetos and developed by Paulo Octávio, a Brazilian property developer and general contractor, the style of Shopping Manhattan is clearly inspired by Brasília’s modernist lines. The mall features over 300 stores covering a 120,000 m² (1.3 million ft²) footprint. Visitors can enjoy international luxury brand shops, local boutiques, an extensive food court, gourmet restaurants, cinema complex, children’s play areas, and event spaces.

“The R$450 million (US$80 million) Shopping Manhattan project is not just a commercial center but also an attractive shopping and entertainment destination in our nation's capital,” adds Cláudio Neves Ourives, CEO and Managing Partner of Penetron Brazil.

The three underground levels of the mall accommodate a multi-story parking garage and logistical facilities. Faced with high groundwater levels at the construction site, Paulo Octávio asked Penetron Brazil for an effective and durable waterproofing system to protect the concrete structures.

Thanks to successes with similar projects in Brazil, PENETRON ADMIX, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified for the concrete mix design for the foundation slab and the retaining walls. PENEBAR SW-55 swellable waterstop strips were installed to permanently seal all new construction joints.

Once treated with PENETRON ADMIX, concrete is impermeable. The crystalline network generated by the admixture stops water and harmful elements from entering the concrete, even under the high hydrostatic pressure common in the Brazilian climate. In addition, the ability of the treated concrete matrix to permanently self-heal any microcracks minimizes concrete deterioration for the service life of the concrete – an important consideration for the Shopping Manhattan project.

“Paulo Octávio has worked with Penetron in many other projects and recognizes the superior product performance and reliable support of our team,” states Cláudio Neves Ourives.

* The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical index that compiles data on life expectancy, education (years of schooling), and per capita income indicators to rank cities and countries into tiers of development.