CASACOR earns the Acolhe Seal for a set of actions that are friendly to the elderly and people with low mobility traduzido por: OPENROUTER

Accessibility has been a keyword at CASACOR for many years. Since 2016, the São Paulo show has been 100% accessible to wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility, and with each edition, it has been expanding its set of actions focused on complying with the principles of universal design and technical standards related to accessibility. Throughout the entire journey, the event adopts inclusive solutions to ensure that people with hearing, visual and/or motor disabilities enjoy the complete experience with freedom, autonomy and dignity.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

Ramps, motorized carts, elevators, lifting platforms, tactile maps, audio description features, welcoming furniture and teams trained to warmly receive those who need special attention are among the solutions present at CASACOR São Paulo. Not by chance, these efforts have earned this year's edition, for the fourth consecutive time, the Accessibility Seal, a certification granted by the Permanent Accessibility Commission (CPA) of the São Paulo City Hall to public or private facilities that guarantee respectful access to these priority audiences.

A more empathetic look

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

In 2026, the show presents another achievement, the Acolhe Seal, launched in June by the Vanzolini Foundation and based on a technical framework developed as a response to the growing demand for commercial and service spaces that offer comfort, safety and quality for elderly people and those with low mobility. "With aging and the increase in life expectancy of the population, architecture and design need to sharpen their focus on these audiences, seeking design solutions that express more empathy toward these people," comments Luiza Salomé, seal manager at the Foundation.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

She recounts that the technical team responsible for the seal visited the show and soon realized that the brand was fit to receive the endorsement. "CASACOR not only complies with the required technical standards but also has people trained to welcome the elderly and people with reduced mobility in a very respectful manner. The quality of human service is remarkable," she states.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

For architect Darlan Firmato, operations director of CASACOR São Paulo, all of us may need special attention at some point in life. "What we have been working on at CASACOR is this awakening throughout the entire masterplan of the event, seeking to show that it is possible to translate these principles into spaces that do not seem adapted nor look like a hospital, but reveal important subtleties, warmth and integration between architecture, design and accessibility, so as to be comfortable for anyone," he says.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

In terms of box office, accessibility actions also show good results: while in 2018 the event received 40 people with disabilities (PWDs), in 2025, already at Parque da Água Branca, the number jumped to 823 tickets destined for the priority audience – not counting tickets referring to people 60+. "There is an important social value in this whole story and we need to reinforce it more and more. Architects, little by little, are becoming more concerned with this issue and that is beneficial for all of us," says Firmato.

Such essential kindnesses

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

A good example of how to conceive an accessible project is the Estúdio Universal Âmbar, signed by Letícia Nannetti, on display at CASACOR SP. The architect sought an innovative look at accessibility, aiming to integrate it naturally into the project. "Accessibility often appears as a later adaptation. I wanted to incorporate this care from the very beginning of the project, which was conceived for anyone who values comfort, offering well-being at all stages of life", argues Nannetti.

Leticia Nannetti - Âmbar. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Bia Nauiack/CASACOR)

In the 54 sqm projects, she says she worked with elements such as functionality, ergonomics in the furniture, lighting, contrast of materials, intuitive use of space, tactile comfort and appropriate heights, but without them appearing as protagonists. "For me, accessibility is the kind that doesn't need to be explained, you know? It was challenging to achieve this in a small space, but I can say that it is possible to achieve aesthetically pleasing, beautiful, elegant, intuitive results without a hospital-like appearance", she states.

Leticia Nannetti - Âmbar. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2026. (Bia Nauiack/CASACOR)

During the visitation period, the architect says she received very satisfying feedback from wheelchair users, seniors and family members. "People approach me to thank me and some have even become clients. They are small details, such as an open counter under the sink, that only those who experience daily difficulties can notice. It is very important to think about autonomy and not deprive the elderly of daily tasks, as if they were incapable. Accessibility does not limit the architect, it expands the ability to welcome", reinforces the architect.

Inside the Acolhe Seal

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

To obtain the seal, it is necessary to meet strict requirements of accessibility, management and quality of service, based on the guidelines of ABNT NBR 9050 and NBR 9077 standards. The objective is to fully welcome individuals who maintain their autonomy and independence, including those with sensory disabilities and who use assistive technologies, such as canes, hearing aids and wheelchairs. "The seal is a commitment to the dignity and social inclusion of a portion of the population that deserves to move around with complete autonomy and safety", explains Luiza Salomé.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

The certification is applicable to a range of sectors that includes restaurants, bars and food courts; clinics, hospitals, laboratories and offices; supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies, banks and hotels. "Our expectation is to promote dignity and prevent people from staying home due to lack of accessibility. Everyone has the right to enter establishments through the front door", she defends.

(Adriana Barbosa/CASACOR)

Among the points considered in the Acolhe Seal are circulation, safety of materials, welcoming furniture, clear signage, accessible restrooms, exclusive parking spaces, acoustic comfort, maintenance of climate control systems through the Maintenance, Operation and Control Plan, and the offer of an alternative to digital service (such as printed menus in restaurants, for example).

traduzido por: OPENROUTER