Red Bull has constructed what is being called the world's largest temporary skate ramp on the facade of a 22-story government building in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The massive curved structure, dubbed the "Red Bull Building Drop," enabled Brazilian professional skateboarder Sandro Dias to break two Guinness World Records while skating down from a height of 70 meters at speeds reaching 103 kilometers per hour.
The ambitious project transformed the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building into a functional skateboarding venue through an innovative plywood overlay system. Dias achieved his record-breaking feat by dropping 60 meters from the starting platform to the lowest point of the ramp, creating a thrilling spectacle that turned a decades-old local joke into reality. The towering structure reached a total height of 88.91 meters, making it the tallest skate ramp ever constructed.
Safety considerations were paramount in the ramp's design and construction. At the bottom of the ramp, engineers installed MotoGP crash pillows—specialized cushioning devices typically used in motorcycle racing—to safely decelerate Dias after he reached speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The skateboarder also wore comprehensive protective equipment, including a spine protector, to minimize the risks associated with such an extreme descent while still allowing him to achieve world record speeds.
The construction process required meticulous planning and execution over a two-month period. Red Bull's team spent approximately one month in preparation and another month on actual construction. The original concrete facade of the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building was unsuitable for skateboarding due to surface cracks and wear, necessitating the installation of a smooth plywood overlay across the building's entire curved surface.
Approximately 800 individual wooden boards were used to create the continuous skating surface that allowed Dias to travel from the 70-meter starting platform down to a temporary quarter pipe constructed at ground level. Metal support components secured the wooden panels to the building's exterior curve, effectively cladding the concrete structure with a smooth, skateable finish. The temporary nature of the installation meant that all materials could be responsibly disposed of after the event.
Environmental sustainability was incorporated into the project's planning from the beginning. After the Red Bull event concluded, approximately 115 tonnes of construction materials were earmarked for repurposing rather than disposal. The wooden boards were donated to local non-governmental organizations for community projects or converted into biomass for energy production. All scrap metal components were recycled, ensuring that the massive ramp construction would not contribute significantly to landfill waste.
The cultural significance of this project extends far beyond its record-breaking achievements. For decades, local skateboarders in Porto Alegre had jokingly referred to the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari building as a potential skating surface, even creating digital mock-ups and renderings of someone riding down its curved facade. The distinctive concrete office building, completed in 1987, was designed by architects Charles René Hugaud, Leopoldo Costanzo, Ivanio Fontoura, and Luis Carlos Macchi as a tribute to economist and politician Fernando Ferrari.
By temporarily transforming this iconic structure into the "Building Drop," Red Bull successfully converted an urban legend into physical reality while establishing a new benchmark for innovative skateboarding design. The project demonstrates how temporary installations can honor both sporting achievement and cultural heritage, creating memorable experiences that push the boundaries of what's possible in extreme sports architecture.
